The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-27

veyed to the station-house ? Are we in so
deplorablc plight that a score or two of
roughs may take the law into their owh
hands at any time, and completely overaw-
ing the individuals to whom the preserva-
ton of peace and good order among
us is especially entrusted, commit
such acts as their passions and partisan
prejudices may dictate? We had confident
ly hoped that the case was for otherwise.
But when we see party of white men
pursuing a party Of negroes through the
streets, as was the case Saturday night,
and the attacking party seemingly backed
up and encouraged by the police, we think
it is time to inquire seriously whether
these men are conservators of the peace,
or merely tools of the Conservative party;
whether, in swearing to protect the lives
and property Of our citizens, they did not
do so with mental reservation to except
all persons opposed to them in politics?
If this is not the true state Of the case, we
hope to see the contradiction come
from the police department, not in
words, but in acts. If black row.
dies break the peace, let them be promptly
arrested and punished, in which case, we
will hold up both hands in vindication of
their action. If white rowdies commit the
same offence, let the same justice be
melted out unspai.ngly to them.
We know not how the riot which
took place commenced, or who instigated
it.; but we do know that negroes
were pursued through the streets
with deadly weapons by white
men, and that these white men were Con-
servatives; and that the same party Of
white men subsequently attacked with
stones the house Of Mr.. Davenport, re-
spectacle colored man, on Broad street,
and that the attack was repeatedly made.
l4And we further know the fact that not one
ofthese men has yet been arrested, although
the acts were committed in the very presence
Of q number of the members Of the force
| while several of the colored men were
summarily hustled off to the station-house,
on the charge Of having committed the
very same offences! Verify, the seed
sown by Mr.. Stuart in his Assembly Hall
speech is bringing forth an early crop, and
the war of determination seems to have
already commenced. Within one week
two of Mr.. Stuart's ''irrepressible conflicts
have taken place, and, Significantly enough
in both instances the t'irrepressibles'
were OF those who listened to bis ''greai
speech" They seem to have taken
"Sandyo at his word, and have com
menced to fight it out on that line. Fl
But we would gently admonish then
that for the good OF this city, aud of thu
commonwealth, they had better pause il
their career, and stop these mad doings be
fore worse evils shall have come upon thi
people than any they have yet endured
J Let the law-abiding and order-loving mel
of our community-those who are vital
interested in the moral and material pros
perity of the state--reflcct for one momen
upon the horrible calamities that may b
enthied upon us by allowing unprinciple
and irresponsible men to commit thes
acts of violence with impunity. w
doubt not that such violence and lawless
, ness will meet from them with but on
expression, and that of unqualified cor
domination. atE IalGs8 sI
! In this connection we would earnestl
: impress upon all our citizens, viii
, in attendance, as spectators, upo
public meetings, during these excite
political times, the porpriety, nay, IL
absolute necessity. of abstain!ng fro
all expressions of bitterness and asperil
' towards those opposed to them in politicl
faith and creed @ @
> Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice,
Take each mans censure, but reserve tn
i, | ind