Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-06-19
re PETERSBURG TROUBLE.

FRIDAY. JUNE la, 1oIf.
The PETERSBURG TROUBLE.
We regret very much that trouble
has fallen upon our friends IN Peters
burg, but we trust they will yet have a |
happy issue out of all their Affections.
The difficulty is but sequence of the |
great victory won by the gallant De- |
moeracy of the Cockade City in their
recent municipal election, for Radical
ism, dies hard in Virginia, as we'll as in
North Carolina. The greedy cormor-
ants who have SO long been plnndering
Petersburg are unwilling to loose |
their grip upon the city's money bags
without another final desperate strug-
gle. We fear not for the result, how
ever, though before it is reached there
may be dark clouds upon horizon
that but yesterday seemed so clear ana
bright.
On Wednesday last it was noticed
that the Radicals seemed to be nnusu-
ally busy in the Custom House III
Petersburg, and it was surmIsed that
something was on foot to upset the re- |
cent election. Nothing definite, how
eyer. was developed until the next
day. when the judges who held the re-
cent election were arrested upon a
warrant issued by United States
Commissioner Peasants, of Richmond,
upon chargeof violating the Enforce
ment Act,of Congress, by Illegally pre-
venting certain parties fromVotlng. Inc
narties arrested. ten in number, were
carried to Richmond on Friday, and
after hearing before Commissioner
Peasants. were bound over IN the
sum of 81, 500 each, to the next term
of the Federal Court. So apparent
was the injustice sought to be done,
that it is said the Government At
torney was ready to quash the whole
proceedings, but Mr.. Commissioner
Peasants insisted upon binding the
parties over to await the action Of the
Federal Grand jury.
But this was only part OF the con-
spiracy. On Friday two Radical Con
gressmen from Virgin called upon
President Grant and urged him to
send troops to Petersburg for the pro
lection of certain officers whose lives
they alleged were in danger. Upon
hearing of this, the remainder OF the
Virginia delegation, with one eXcep-
ton, without regard to political affilia-
lions, united III a request to President
Grant not to order troops to
Petersburg, as they believed that the
United States Marshal and District
Attorney were fully able to enforce the
laws to secure the legal punish
ment of any one violating them. After
duly considering the matter, the Presi-
dent refused to interfere ii the matter
deeming it unnecessary for the FEEDER
al authorities to take any specific ac-
ton in the premises.
But affairs were not destined to re
main thus On Saturday the good
people of Petersburg were thrown into
state of great excitement by the in
formation telegraphed to the city
papers by Judge Harris, one CT the
members of Congress from Virginia,
then in Washington, that the Z. 5.
Marshal had been authorized to sum-
mon posse and thatif necessary call
on General Barry, at Fortress Munroe,
would be made for troops, to protect
the public buildings and the lives OF
Federal officials in Petersburg. What
produced the change III the determi-
nation of the President has not rs yet
appeared, though it may we'll he as
sunaed that the instructions were
issued to the Marshal in order to
bolster up the Radical cause.
It is not, however, by any means
certain that such will be the result,
as it happens that the Marshal, Mr..
Ramsdell, is man of too much char
acter and intelligence to allow himself
10 be used as tool by the Custom
House conspirators. Mr.. Ramsdell,
who was in the city, is reported to
have said that he saw no reason what
ever for bringing troops to Petersburg,
and that so far as he was able to Oh
serve, nobody was exposed to any peril
nor was the public peace likely to be
broken. He knew nothing about any
demand for the aid of Federal forces
until the telegram putting them at his
disposal was placed in his hands.
Truly is Petersburg fortunate III
that such man as Mr.. Ramsdell IS the
United States Marshal. It is, how
ever, a sad commentary upon the con-
dition of affairs that the safety Of the
citizens springs not from the majesty
of the law but only from the good sense
and honesty of the man who is charged
with its execution.