The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-11
Letter from Go0chland.
GoocHLAND, G. H., February 9th, 1S7

OOOCHLAND, " H., rcofuaiy oIu, Ao'''
To the Editor OF the State Journal!
observe in your paper of "a recent date
letter over the signature of "Gooch-
lander" in which the writer refers to
another over the signature of "W," in
which letters the writers claim to portray
'the terrible political status of this coun-
ty," to give an account of, what they are
pleased to call, political persecution of a
private citizen Of this county to impeach
the integrity of the "Great Grand Jury"
for finding this indictment, inaugurating
thereby an intense excitement which these
new tangled political prophets proclaim
will result in boodshed. and intimating
purpose on the part of the instigators to
crafty base revenge for political defeat.
Now, Messrs. Editors, when you allow
your columns to be used to cast such
aspersions upon the character of people,
think we may reasonably ask you to
open them to reply. If the "political
status of this county is 50 deplorable, pray
let these gents tell us who caused it? How
did it come about Is it because we have
low, incapable men in office /? Ii so, who
put them there? Have these corre5pon-
dents forgotten that the Radical party is in
an overwhelming majority in the county
and in every township? Could such off
GERS have gotten in except by radical sup
port? But perhaps they mean that the
body polite here is SO corrupt as to be in
capable of fair, honest dealing. Now it is
too well known, that in every political
contest in this county the radicals have
come off victorious, and if any villainy is
upheld by the decision at the polls, then it
must have been borne off i1 triumph upon
radical shoulders, and not ours, for they
defeat us in our aims. Now, sir, believe
the colored people of this county, when
left to their impulses, mean well, and if we
could chase the political vagabonds of this
county who seek to SOW discord between the
white and colored people of this county
which they prophesy will end in blood
shed-then, l think, "the political status
of this county," will be greatly improved.
As to "the political persecution" the
facts are these At the November term
of the county court the grand jury, COM
posed of twelve white and six colored,
made presentment upon the testimony of
about a half-dozen gentlemen. At the
January term last nolle proSega1 was en-
tered on this, and an indictment, setting
forth more formally the same offence as in
the presentment, was sent before the grand
Jury with about the same witnesses as be-
fore, and they returned it a true bill. Now,
I leave it to any fair minded man to say,
that if lie is out, or "base', political
prejudice is sought to be gratifed, who is
guilty of it; whether it is upon these half
dozen witnesses and thirty-six grand ju-
rors who spoke upon their oaths, or upon
these gentlemen who write newspaper par
agraphs under assumed names These
gents failed to give US single fact upon
which they found SO gross an assertion
upon those concerned in this persecution"
We have their bare assertion and nothing
else and that, too, against the oaths Of
these grand jurors and witnesses.
Considering these articles in your paper
dsgraceful efforts on the part OF these cor
respondents to assail the integrity of the
people of this county, when on their oaths
as witnesses, jurors or officers, it is not my
purpose to go beyond these correspondents
and in vindcation of the people of this
county. These gents failed to tell us how
it appears that this matter was founded on
political prejudice only, and not upon good
cause shown. If white mans political
opinions are such as to render him odious
to the white citizens of county, and he
should commit an offence, and the grand
Jury present him, does it follow that it is
done from political prejudice Is such a
one to 90 exempt from presentment, or if
made, are the grand jurors to be accused
of violating their oaths ? Any delay in
making such presontnent only proves the
unwillingness of those who know of the
offence to voluntarily go before the grand
jury.
II any politics are dragged into this
matter, feel quite sure that it will come
from them who assail those concerned in
this prosecution" The first intimation
that | heard of politics came from those in
sympathy with the accused and protesting
his politics.
boldly assert that it has been the effort
of the Conservatives here to promote union
and allay prejudice between the two races
Any efforts otherwise have come from the
other side.
In conclusion, do hope that "Gooch-
lander" and "W." will be able to find
some more profitable employment of their
time than to use it in such attempts to
throw their slime broadcast upon the peo-
pie Of this county. If they honestly be-
lieved their own representations Of the de.
PRAYED condition of the people here, they