The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-12-06
VICTIMS OF TYRANNY.
Bo,U Martial Lao Operates IN South
Carolina-How the Negroes Iie,c
the Highhanded Proceedings.

the Highhanded Proceedings.
We have received the follo~in,
communication from a well known
and respected citizen of South Caro-
lima, whose word no one would dar,
to doubt. We are precluded from
giving his name, for the reason tha
the fact of writing the letter would
make him a victim of Grants tyrann,
and despotism. And yet this is fret
country:
To the Editor of the WasAiinst0n Pat
riot:
COLUMBIA, S. G., November 10.
SIR: [ was in Yorkville a few day s
ago. While there, I met an aged son
Of Africa. His wool was white, his
brow wrinkled. His eyes had grown
dim, and the old mans back was bent.
His ebon countenance was black as
night; but there was the tight of
truth and sincerity in it.
He was coming from the Jail, where
large number of Ku-Klux prison
ers were incarcerated. I stopped him,
being struck with the Intelligent,
though sad expression of his face.
odd man, said l, have you beet to
the jail?'
yes, boss, he replied, 'Pse been to
see my young massa. Dey got him
in dar.'
For what?'
Eur muffin in Gods world, boss, but
dat he Is a DimocratP
do they charge him with any
crime p
None dat he Dor 1 knows on
WhatI' I exclaimed, .dosn't he
know what he is put in Jail for p
No, sab; dat he don't. An I
knows dat de boy is an innocent Of
Ku-Kluxin' as you is, or l. All de
niggers will swar dat
IF there is nothing against him,
why don't they let him go2'
de Lord only knows, boss he re-
piled, in the most earnest and MOURN
full manner. 'Dey say dey gwine to
keep 'em all in dar till way on to
Christmas times.
How long has your young master
been in jail?'
'Two weeks, an better
sAnd you don't know what he was
put in jail for?'
No more nor you, nor T. the old
man replied, shaking his head.
HAS he had no trial or hearing of
any kind?'
mo, sab. Layin' in Jail, boss, an
no chance give him O clearin' his
selfp
MY young massa married ? Ha,
ha, ha No, boss. He's picked out
gal, an soon as de military lets him
out O jail he's gwine for her; but he's
got a mother. Since old masters
dead, my young bess is her sole depen-
dence. She's left all alone at home
now; an she's nigh distracted con-
carnin' of his takin' off an lodgment
in Jail. never spected to see de day
when my Young boss would be put in
Jail, an fur muffin under Gods sum-
said the old man, with eyes dimned
with tears of comming gled sorrow and
Indignation.
We'll, what do you think of all
this business, old man p said L.
'Ah, boss, 1 don't think much of it,
what, are you not glad that the
Ku- -Klux, the prosecutors of your
race, are being caught and put in
Jail p
No, boss, I amt glad. De Ku-
Kluxes neber trouble me. never
steal muffin. I never burn nobody's
barn. 1 neber march about de coun-
try with Scott's melish, wild muskets,
an drums, an flags, tryin' TO 'timidate
lie white folks. Some O de colored
people say dey are glad dat de white
men am put in Jail or driv out O. de
country. But 1 amt. 1t hurts me
% see somany young men in Jail down
lar, huddled together like hogs in a
about like cattle-an' by
lere own celor, too White men |
reatin' white men in dat way, is more
han 1 can understood. Drops big as
,uckshot comes up into my eyes eb-
ry time l looks at dat Jail, wild my
'oung boss Gagged il dere like he was
bear 7
Here the good old African made
ause, after which he said, with an
rgency of tone that bespoke the
incerity of his words:
'Ah, boss, if was de President of
he United States I'd die before I'd
1t my own people be crammed in Jail
is way by sojers, an kept dere; wild
ut a hearin'l I'd stop dis. I'd set
hings to rights ..r-
1 bade the earnest old negro good
ye, and passed on to the gloomy
Ill, where Ku-Klux prisoners were
luddled together like hogs in pen,
n driv' about like cattle l found
le prisoners guarded by soldiers as
lough they were csptiyes of war
here was the dark, dreary looking
lilding, with its grated windows and
aspect. There 1 beheld
Ie sad faces of many an unfortunate
ctim of Radical persecution peering
istfully through the iron bars, long
or to ha in tho Suaat cunchina Wit N