Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-05-05

Tor troops to assist in the rendition Of Anthony
Burns. Every gentleman on this floor knows
thst the United States soldiers sent to that State
by the democratic party to assist their blood
hounds in tearing from Massachusetts, soil that
poor, trembling fugitive were not sent there at
the request Of that State, but by virtue of the
law passed by a democratic Congress, enforced
by democratic Administration, and interpreted
by democratic Attorney General, whose inter-
probation has been sustained by the courts and
know the American people well enough to
know that no legal sophttry can make them
believe that It was constitutional to use the Army
and Navy of the United States in returning fugi-
tives to slavery, but that no constitutional means
can be found to use these agencies for the
protection Of life, liberty, and property of free
American citizenn in every State Of the Union.
Our spsce will not permit US to give at length
the remainder Of Mr.. Platt's very effective speech
We can only find room for the following descrip-
ton Of scene Of Southern violence, given by the
speaker in illustration Of the need of the bill
under consideration
On the 1T day of November. 1870, a large
aud enthusiasts Republican meeting was held
in the city of Norfolk. The people, to the num-
Der OF several thousand, assembled in front Of
the City Hall 10 listen to the addresses that
were to be delivered from the steps Of that build
ind. The speakers announced. all Of whom we're
present, were Hon. George NJ Robeson Secre-
tsry Of the Navy Hon. II. II. Wells, ex-Goyer-
nor Of Virginia and Prof J. ". Langston, Of
Washington, District Of Columbia The meeting
was orelnized at half past seven p. m, and call
ed to order by Hon Frank DeCorly, an Old
and highly respected citizen Of Norfolk, for sew
ersl years mayor of the city, who presided
Outside Of the immense mass Of Republicans
who occupied the grounds Immediately in front
of the speakers was a yelling, hooting rabble,
consisting of hsli-gTown boys, young men who,
from their appearance. should at least have
known enough 10 have controlled themselves, and
rogdies, representing the worst characteristics
Of a sea-boari city. Among them were crcu-
isting the pclice force Of the city. Governor
Wells who first addressed the meeting, was fre-
quently interrupted by their noisy demoustra-
tons, TO which be paid no attention. While
Secretary Robson was delivering the calm, con-
clstory, AMI eloquent address with which be
favored the Republicans Of Virginia On that oc-
cssiou, continual shouting and series Of inter
ruptious were kept up from the outer circle, and
a missile was thrown at him which proved 10 be
a package of nails wrapped in old canvas, which
passed within one inch Of his fsce, striking with
full force a column Of the portico in his rea-. At
the conclusion OF his remarks Professor Lang
ston was introduced aul commenced to speak.
HIS appearance was greeted with laundering
applause from the Republicans, and shouts,
croaus. and yells by the Democrats. Paying
no attention 10 the latter, he proceeded TO al
dress the people. To those who know him l need
not say that hs remarks were courteous, conci-
listory. snd fell from his lips in words Of earn
est, burning eloquence he had been speaking
perhaps fifteen minutes, when suddenly, without
proyosstioa or warning, s. policeman, or At lesst
man in the uniform Of a policeman, drew
pistol and deliberately put bullet through the
body Of a quiet and inofensive colorel man
standing near him. Immediately an iniiscri-
inmate sad rapid firing commenced from the
outside Of the crowd into the unsrmel, unodsnd-
ing. and unresistiug mass of Republicans. who,
entirely uupTeparei for such an attack offered no
resistance, bur Immediately endesvorei TO rush
away from their asssssins For 81 least five
minutes a steady FIRE was poured into the re-
treating crowd by the ieuds. who were seeming
ly actuatel ty an insane desire to kin As many
ss possible. The scene vas fearful one The
air was filled with oaths sud shouts Of ' Kill the
id ni-Ecrs .' d" Kill the Id Radicals '
ami the panic was increased by the discovery
that the police force WAS in full sympathy with
she murierers. and were themselves emptying
their reyolyers into the terrified and struggling
mass If human beings who were frant.csl.y
striving TO get beyond their range.
Mr. Speake., am repeating no idle tale for
political effect I an giving no newspaper or
seI sltional report. / an describing f,s-ful
scene Of which was an eyewitness, and, upon
my honor, 1t is true literally and 70 the letter
Nr Daniels, an Oh ani respected citizen, ns-
tive, a white man, sul Republican, Was shot
down hy my side, the bullet entering his left
temple aui emerging near the left ear. Mr..
Tlayer, s. respected white citizen Of Nausemoai
county. was shot through the hand. AIr. Coles,
a white citizen oi Portsmouth, was shot through
the neck. sni lazy for many days 81 the point Of
death, though finally recovering. Two co,orei
men were killed outright, sud two others so
severely woualai that they dioi from their
wounds, all fourteen persons axe known TO have
been wounded besii5s These men were shot
down ike dogs in the very portals Of the temple
Of justice without proylcstion, yet from that day
to this 10 srers have been taken TO punish OF
even discover the murlcrers No inquest Was
ever held on the bodies q the murdered men
No arrests were ever made No investigation
vas ever ordered by tle Democratic city su-
tlor.tics, who are charged with the msiuter-
auce of peace aul the enforcement Of the laws
in that city; and al ;his occurred in Virginia,
the quie,est Of AL the Southern Statcs, less
than SIX months ago.