The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-03-30
WESTMINSTER, MD, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 30 1871

Answer. That was throughout the
State, so far as | know. l have fre-
quenily stated myself, and will use the
same expression now, that they were
very much like flock Of sheep, which
always follow the belI-wcther, whether
he jumps over fence or leaps iuto a
pit,
Question. Who first organized the
leagues
Answer | cannot tell you; they
seemed to spring up at once like a
mushroom right out of the state
of affairs, and Governor Holden was the
head president.
Question. Was the cifeet Of this
organization to.draw the coloYed people
away from their labor atimproper times?
Answer. 1t was, and to diminish their
wages. 1t made them thriltless 10
many cases. A man could hardly get a
laborer in many cases, when he lived
near a town where these constant assem-.
blages took place. Our justices of the
peace arc peace officers. A great many
of the new appointments were mcu Of
known bad character, men convicted of
theft, or accused and believed to have
been guilty of theft, and men who could
not read or write.
Question. Are these magistrates elec-
ted or appointed?
Answer A great many Of them were
appointed by Governor Holden, aud
the system Of electing these men to
Office is now such as to entirely destroy
all confidence in many localities, for the
leagues are so united that they will
elect colored ignorant men The ad-
mioistrqtion Of justice before justices oi
the peace has become contemplate, and
that is one great source Of demoraliza-
tion 10 The State.
Q esiiCn You say that bonds to the
amount Of about s25, 100000 we're is.
sued during the provisional government
Of Governor Holden and up TO 1868 7
Answer. Yes, sir, ab ut SIS 900 900,
before and shortly after.
Question. Do you know what value
accrued to the State from that increase
Of debt?
Answer | cannot say with precision.
bat do not believe il has been benef,ted
TO the amount Of $1,000 900. saw
statement the other day that not more
than s500,000 had been realized
Question. What effect upon the minds
Of your citizens had the creation OF this
vast debt and this squandcfins Of the
public credit aH n
Answer It produced a very general
indignation against III authors.
Question. Was that confined to any
political party
Answer. No, sir tits nctn Since
came here new article Of impeachment
has beeu added 10 regard 10 these bonds
1t was voted for very generally by both
parties III the House Of Representatives.
Question. Has it become an Article by
the action Of both Houses
Answer. understand so.
Question, Il thai an impeachment of
Governor Holden for the criminal issue
of these bonds
Answer. Yes, sir aud for many other
causes ~
Question Do you iliuk the effect
has been 10 bring financial ruin TO the
State a W
Answered. do. | do not see how il is
possible to avoid il.
Question. How was it in regard to the
outragcs by disguised meuy Did they
form an issue between the parties 7
Did they have the effect Of placing one
party on one side and one on the other +?
Answer. Oh, no, sir; no person has
ever advocated publicly, so far as |
have heard, the violations by the Ku-
klux organization. No man 10 North
Carolina dares to rise before tho people
and advocate a thing OF that sort.
Question. Then did the frst issue
touch the question offorce when Cover
nor Holden proclaimed ihes counties in
insurrcction
Answer | thiuk so, Indeed, in the
course ofmy reading this morning..l !
saw il stated that popular uprising
was ihreatened--that rebellion or
insurrcction would cnsue, crowded
Governor Holden undertook to enforce
the law by his militia. say the people
Of North Carolina, though agitated,
were quiet aud subdued. Ihave never
seen people more entirely submissive
to what was both wrong and tyrannical.
Question. In reference to the fact
whether 10 some of the counties there
is any obstruction to the enforcement oi
the laws, let me pat this case to you
Ifa colored man should be whipped,
with the information at the time he was
whipped that il was because be kept o.l-
ored Sunday school, aud that such 90.
cnpation must be desisted from; that
where such a thing as that can be done
with impunity, aud the perpetrators not
be brought to justice, do you think the
civil law is sufficient for the protection
of life aud property there?
Answer. Such an act would not only
be regarded as an outrage, but the very
act of keeping the Sunday school would
be regarded as charitable and laudaiblo.
S0UTH cAR0ryNA