Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-07-22
A CARD.
MoRGANToN. July 9Th 1870

'H'i'"ANION. July 9Th, 1870
MR. fppIroR:-On arriving Mt this VILLAGE
this afternoon, was informed Inv fr;a''I
that Col. Kinks command or n nortio,, 80
them, had passed through on the tr,;',
SulS morning, and, that prominent Of
ncer III tue charGo of the command wa
threatening vengeance against me. Snl
scquontly L learned from two sources ~
an officer in Kinks regiment. that CoIo,nd
IL. had ordered his men 10 shoot mo 90
sight, and he would see them held bor, VII
less. i
You will perceive that the sentence 80
outla|ry has been passed upon mo bv th;a
military antocraG before his braves har"
fired their first gun. Now for the reaso',.
understand that one Mr.. David Bow.
man, Radical from Mitchell comfy -,
formed Kirk that had told HIM I'm IL
many that 1 would "l1ill Kirk on sicht
have never thought that barkjn% doo.
would bite, and [ think that those yta
know me give me credit for = euf,;.;aIt
amount of discretion to keen nv r,..
counsel, did really intend 10 sIav taa
distinguished Colonel. And motao' r'o
three gentlemen, who were present Mo-,
L conyorsed with Mr.. Bowman. proDonn
ces his statements false. did say thot I
IN common with all the good citizens 81
our county without distinction of ,,,r4
ftl1Y
county, because all parties cCncurrea IN
the opinion that the law colId be cyccn
ted without the aid of the military authori
ties, and there had been no act Of violence
committed by either PARTY Which could
furnish preteXt for such n course,
said further, that / did not believe that
there was any Ku kluX organization in cv
istencc in this county, bur, if Kirk : mcn
should be sent to the county, the natural
resuit wonld be the formation Of
secret associations in 0lpOSition. 0nd
that if they should commit such
depredations us they or same If
them did during the war, l would approve
of tho movement, and would myself ION
the Kn-kIuX Or any other organization f.
protect my property and save my hulls,-
hold from invasion by n lawIess and ire
spOnsible mob. If this he treason the.
can make the most OF it. Wien the civil
law can no longer shield us from outraec
at the hands of these men. then | think
we are reunited to our original right of
self-protection.
have thus far, and would now advise
my friends 10 be prudent and quiet. t.
treat Kirk with Indifference or con.eIHpt.
as they choose; but by MI means 10 com
NIT no act Of violence SO long rs they can
appeal with confidence to the executive
and Judiclal departments for redress OF
grievances and for the arrest and punish
ment Of criminals.
Now, sir, what does Col Kirk mean
when he promises "to holl harmless any
man in his command vino will shoot me
down ?" Does he 60 through tho country
provided with blank pardons from the
Governor for those who will wrcak his ven
geance for him Is he authorized BIZ tic
Governor TO pronounce me AN outlaw, aud
to give two hundred men orders II muir
der mo L am Ioath to believe that the
Governor is responsible for any such con.
duct, bnt wish to know tho trnth, nnd
every citizen of right ought 10 understand
10 what extent the government under
which he lives viii furnish him protection.
he Standard has already said that Eirl.
was the right man i'll the right pnce.
the same opinion has been ro-achucd by
the Lieut.. Governor, and even Mr.. j. ".
bowman has expressed his sentiments BIZ
means OF the same phrase. SO much
cause Is there to suppose that Kirk will be
sustained, however arbitrary, despOtic nnI
outrageous his course may be.
In conclusion L will say that had | real
ly expressed nn intention to kill Kirk it
was very heroic in him TO call upon his
thousand men to protect him from one
man. / shall remain at my homo where
my business demands my attention, but
If these licensed aS3assips attempt to exc
cute their ordGrf, whether successful OF
unsuccessful, ether parties may reluctant
~ take the law in their own hands.
Respectfully,
4. &. AVERY