Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-11-18
Outregeous.

Il win be remca.bercl that " Union was
one Of the counties in South Carolina placed
under martial law by order Of the Presi-
dent, as being in a state Of Rebellion. Recent
news from that county gives rather bad &C
count Of the troops who were sent there in or
der to enforce order and protect The oppressed
carpet-baggers aud the outraged scallawags.-
As might have been expected, and as the op-
ponsnts Of federal interference predicted, re-
cent events show some Of the beautiful work
iugs Of the benefcsnt Ku-Klux Act"
We clip the following account Of some Of
these Outrages that are for worse in their char
acter, in many respects, than the "outrages 4"
Of the "invisibleempire. They confined their
infamous doings to the maltre&ting Of men who
had rendered themselves obnoxious by acts
that the empire considered worthy of pun
ishment. But these protectors Of the innocent
these defenders Of law and order, are carry
ing things with high hand arresting peace
able and venerable citizens against whom there
is not and cannot be a shadow Of suspicion
aud then, with a heroic valor worthy Of ! mer-
lean soldiers, having incarcsraied the protectors
Of women and children return to their homes,
insult their wives and daughters, pillage their
bosses, steal watches and iewelry, and then re-
turn with the trophies Of their honorable war
fare. All this is done too in the presence Of a
United States Marshal
Surely every American citizen, no matter by
what party name he is called, must blush for
shame when he reads the record Of these in
famous outragss, done in the name and by the
authority Of the best government the world
has ever seen.
Several days ago a series Of outrageS were
psrpetrated upon some Of the most spectacle
citizens Of Union by the troops stationed at
that point A number Of the business men
were placed 10 durance on the charge of being
members Of the Ku-Klux. After locking them
up, and threatening them with death on the
morrow, their captors then proceeded to The
homes Of their prisoners, and under the plea Of
searching for the identical men that were al
ready incarcerated. they entered the most pri-
vate apartmentsof the ladies, making sad havoc
among fine dresses and toilet articles OF
course theft was committed and insults and
indecent language prevailed. After volunteer
inc to the ladies the information that in the
morning their relatives would suffer death,
they departed One Of the ladies lost q fine
gold watch and chain. This has not yet been
recovered.
On the morning following the night Of their
arrest, the commandant Of the post dismissed
the prisoners, as there were no charges brought
against them. While these arrests were being
made, the troops Ia United States marshal was
in the company made threats frequently that
If resistance were made they would lay the
town 10 ashes Now comes the strange part Of
the transaction. After the release Of the priS-
oners, the authorities stated that il was " only
a drunken spree" A notice. was sent to the
publisher Of the Unionville Times to the effect
that If he dared publish anything in regard TO
the affair they would fire the town aud swing
him 10 post. We understand that the town
council have since taken the affair n hand
An investigation has been gone into, aud the
evidence, duly sworn 10, printed IN pamphlet
form. We alsolea that copies Of this pamph-
let have been forwarded to Attorney General
Alderman aud District Attorney ID. i. CJrbln.
lChcSier Reporter
A fitting supplement 20 this statement Of the
practical working Of the beuefceut act, is
the announcement, that the demaud for
troops to assist in its enforcement in the South
exceeds the supply. The Attorney General
and Secretary of War had conference for tho
distribution Of troops in the martial law district
in South Carolina" Perhaps, when the fine
opportunities for plumber become known, en-
Hs.men,s to put down the second Rebellion, as
it is called, viii be ordered, and then there will
be no lack Of loyal soldiers to 90 there.
Verify this active and energetic Akermau Is
making unto himselfa name among the de-
Tenders Of the truly Toll, and outraged ci,i-
zens Of the unfortunate Palmetto State. Such
remarkable protection Of Federal bayonets is
enough to call up the shades Of Marion aud his
followers