Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-10-18

Our readers will find in the dispatches
at the head of this column the details, SO
far as they have come to hand at this
writing, of the last attack upon the Hon.
Josiah Turner, Jr. The act of blowing up
with powder a building in the heart of a
popnlous city, at that most defenceless of
all hours, the hour of midnight, and for
no conceivable reason save that it con-
tained the press and fixtures for the pub
lication of political newspaper, is an act
that il is difficult to find words to charac-
terize in any becoming manner. The
duty Of public journalist is not to attempt
to inflame the passions Of men, but rather
to restrain and to moderate them.
Acts like that now under consideration,
in their bare recital, are more than enough
to loose devil that cannot easily be chained
again. Men cannot contemplate a deed
so diabolicdl and So fiendish without in
stinctively feeling the strongest desire for
retaliation, for vengeance and for prOtec-
ton. Since the world began men never have
been subjected to such Outrages without
seeking, in some shape or other, both ven
geaDce and protection, and they never will.
But, as diabolical as was this act, it is
not the greatest outrage that has been in
flicted, or sought to be inflicted, upon Mr..
Turner.
But little more than two months ago, on
the night of the Sth Of August, Ills Wite's
chamber, at Hilsboro', was fired into from
window.
But little more than two years ago, on
the night Of the 18th Of july, 1870, another
attempt was made to assassinate Mrs.
Turner. On that occasion the would-be
assassin was 50 close to Mrs. Turner that
the powder from his pistol burned her face.
On the 9TH Of August Of that same year
Mr.. Turner was arrested by order Of Gov
crEor Holden, hy military force, without
any warrant OF law whatever, aia! con-
fined in 4 loath5ome dungeon with negro
felon condemned to death.
On the 24th Of March, 1860, party Of
men consisting of Joseph w. Holden,
Speaker Of the House of Representatives,
various employees and officers of the State
Government, and others, met Mr.. Turner
at The depot in Raleigh, and in a body as
saultcd him. Mr.. Turner's coolness and
his pistol saved his .ifo.
Only few nights thereafter IN attempt
was made to assassinate him by shooting
him through window near which he
sat writing. This time Nj. Turner's life
was saved by the change in the direction
of the ball, caused by its passage through
the pane of glass. The building in which
he then was is the same one that was
blown up night before last.
The Court was in session then, not a
stones throw from the spot, and no step
was taken to find out the criminal.
The Court is in session now, and Judge
Watts is again its presiding officer. Will
he pass this outrage by in silence and in
contempt, as he did that? We shall see
what we shall see!
What are we to do?
No sane man can any more doubt that
the cause for this last outrage was political
enmity, than he can doubt it was the motive
for all the preceding outrages. And has it
come to this Is this the first fruit Of the
Radical victories in the October elections
We counsel obedience to law and respect
for its officers, under all circumstances.
We cannot better our condition by resort
to violent measures, outside of the law,
for the redress of grievances. We know
this full well. The people in power know
it; but we beg them to remember that
poor human nature can stand only a GER
tain amount of pressure and of oppression,
without forcing the desire for vengeance
and for protection to crop out In violent
retaliatory measures. We beg them not
to drive an already Enaddened people to
desperation. If such deeds as these are
allowed to be enacted and to 60 unpun-
ished, North Carolina will soon be o hell
upon earth. Let the people in power not
shut their eyes to the truth!