Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-11-10

The Radical Tyranny I'm South Carolina
Letter from n Lady.
The following letter, written by a lady
of South Caroliaa, and dated Rock Hill,
October %, is published in the New York
papers
az wrote toyou only few days ago. my
dear friend, and told you something of the
state Of things, but within the last two days
the storm has burst, and the reign of terror
emphatically has began. Under that vile
proclamation Of Grants and an ''act for
intimidatiDg voters, the old scene between
the Wings and Tories of the old Revolu-
ton is being enacted. Every Rad cal who
has private grudge against another
among our Democratic aud Confederate
people have gotten up the vilest conspira-
cy against the people of this district, and,
to crafty their revenge, denonnce them as
enemies to the Government-upon what
charges they know MOTTO the Yankee
commander, Col. Merrill, who is fend in
carnate, and he is arresting citizens right
and left, crowding the jails to such an ex-
tent that if kept there much longer Jail fe-
YER will spare them a trial before packt
jury of Radicals and Judge sent TO con-
Uict La order to compass their ends,
spies are everywhere, and the most casual
words which drop from the hunted VIC
idence against them of reasonable inten
tioEs, and any and everything else to COM
pass their diabolcal ends ALI this is in a
time of profound quiet. Not disturbance
has occurred in any way in this district for
months and the people have been quietly
going about their business. The Radical
representative from this District in Con-
gress is at the bottom of the VII ole thing,
and to revenge some private quarrel with
40 aOp txy ho hos tPa YO6 md
exposed for. There are four or five other
districts in the State enduring the same
fiery trial, and people feel the tyranny and
oppression is so uncomfortable that within
the last few wee six hundred persons have
left their homes aud all they have in the
world to find some place where there was
at least a ENHANCE of law and justice.
I have the promise of a full and written
account of all the Radical proceedings
in the case of these prsoners-arrested
on Saturday last-and will send it to you
as soon as I get it, aud hope you will find
some paper at the North honest and just
ought to publish il. It may be a month
or more before the end comes. It really
seems as if the Radicals were bent upon
goading the people of this State to mad
ness. The petty schemes Of tyranny and
revenge they exercise remind one of the
tales we have read Of Austrian prisons and
the doings of the most despotic kingdoms
of the Old World. And this is free, re-
publican America God help the name Il
The friends of liberty may indeed weep at
the atrocities committed in her name.
Negroes and the lowest white men are
bribed TO bring evidence against those they
wish to convict, and the prisoners are kept
in entire ignorance Of what they are ac-
cused until brought to trial, which gives
them no chance to disprove the charges
brought against them. Lest this should
get into the hands of those demons I shall
in future give you ON initial. They are
putting women in Jail in some of the other
districts, hear. L don't think they will
make much by that move. General Grant
has sent his order on to crash and terrify
the people to vote the Radical ticket and
keep Grant in power. The North may
look on with apathy, but rest assured when
we are crushed out their turn will come,
and New York will be the first to feel the
iron heel of the despot and his abominahle
E.