The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-09
Virginia Invaded.

Virginia Invaded
Under the above caption the Democratic
papers-of Virginia are trying to create the
impression that q great outrage has beer
committed in the action OF the Government
in placing troops at Petersburg to await the
orders of the U. S. Marshal in the interest OF
peace, order and the enforcement OF the law.
The history of elections in Petersburg has
been but repetition of violence for the past
four Or five years. In the last municipal
election, the most unp,oyoked and outrage
ous wrongs were perpetrated. The tally
books kept by the Republicans, to detect
fraud and secure q fair expression Of public
opinion and fair count, were seized
and torn up. TIE parties attending to them
were assaulted and driven off. In one IN
stance Republican was knocked down and
beaten, and then arrested and taken to pris-
Oh, and his assailants let go free. SIN more
recent affair, the occas ion OF Republican
meeting in Portsmouth, the speakers were
insulted, and one Of them so terribly beaten
that his life is despaired OF. The gentlemen
who addressed the people and who were so
outrageously treated were Col. NJ. D. Ball.
editor OF the Alexandra Sentinel, Col. Jos.
Segar, Republican candidate in the Norfolk
district, and Mr.. Dessendorf, prominent
lawyer of Norfolk.
Col. Ball, in an editorial in his paper, gives
an account of the proceedings. He states
that he was addressing the meeting in as
concilatory spirit rs lie knew how to dis
play. when he was interrupted by the asser-
ton from a Democrat in the crowd chat he
was I'D liar," the man stepping into
the aisle of the house and advancing with
clinched fists. Col. Segar was met in the
same manner. and it was with difficulty he
could finish Ills remarks. Next Mr.. Dezen-
dorf attempted to speak. lie was so inter-
rupted, however. that he conld not proceed,
and after he occupied the stand about ten
minutes had to get down and retire, rs ii was
impossible to proceed. Mark, this was Re-
publican meeting, exclusively. AS he was
passing out Of the lour of the building. he
was assaulted by several parties. lie en-
gagged with them, and being powerful man,
physically, he fongh. them into the middle
| Of the street. He was then knocked down
three or four times, and finally so much ex-
hausted from blows ard eXertion that he fell
victim to the relentless partizan hate that had
instigated the difficulty. He was SO badly
| beaten tfathc had to be carried off, not, how
| ever, until several pistol shots had been fired
| at him, one of them 80 close to his head as to
blacken his forehead with the powder. About
twenty shots, 1t is stated, were fired. Coils Ball
and Segar were forced away from the melee
by friends, and were placed in a position of
safety A negro MN started to the assis-
tancc OF Mr.. Dezendo.f, but he was arrested
and taken off. Mr.. Dezendorf is in very
dangerous condition, with the chances against
his recovery, as We learn from the Norfolk
Day Book which says:
I'VE learn that Mr. Dezendorf is still in
| very critical condition, that great apprehen-
sions exist from the wound on his head,
which quarter Of an inch lower would have
proved instantly fatal, and that he will not
Uc uhcly " w Out lOt u ulOliLu W COtue,
| even if the wound does not now prove fatal.
Notwithstanding these glazing and outra-
geous violations Of individual rights and the
peace and order of community, not one Of
the offenders has been arrested
Outrages of similar character have distiE-
suishcd every election that has been held in
the Petersburg and Norfolk districts for the
past four or five years. The municipal and
State authorities have never attempted 10
check them. There has been no redress to
which the assailed could appeal with any
hope Of mitigation of the wrongs suffered.
This spirit of aggression and violence has
| been encouraged by the Democratic press of
Petersburg and Norfolk. The most incen-
diary articles have appeared in those papers.
and the passions OF the people aroused to
| such pitch that there were Just grounds to
apprehcnd difficulty.
! In this condition Of affairs the U. S. War;
| shall. Col. Ramsdall, man of peace, con-
sentative in his temper and disposition, deem
ed it prudent to call upon the department of
justice to place at his command the means to
preserve order and maintain peace.
The following order was on the 3lst Issued
By the President, in addition to an order
sending several companies OF troops to be
held subject to the command Of the US. Mar
shall: .a ~.
| EXECUTIVE MANSION, I
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 4, 1876.
To L. L. Lepis, Esq, U. S. Attorney for the
Eastern District Of Va:
| SIR: Whereas. have reason 10 believe
that offences are likely to be committed
within the above named judicial district,
against the provisions Of chapter Z, title !:
| grimes of the Revised Statutes OF the
United States, you are therefore hereby
| requested and directed to attend at Peters.
burg. Va. on the 9th, It'll, 9Th, 9th, and
10th days of November current, for the p,lr-
pose mentioned in section 1885 of said Re-
vlscd Statutes u. s, GRANT.
| Similar instructions were at the same time
sent to Judge Hughes.
Under these circumstances the Governor
of Virginia issued the following pompous add
nonsensical proclamation
To the People of Firginia:: .a.
Information has just been received from
authenticated sources that a detachment Of
the United States army has this day been
quartered at Petersburg, under orders to re-
main until after the pending elections, and
to be under the sole direction Of Federal Of
ficials. The voting places at Petersburg are
being SURROUND ed with Gordon OF bayonets
] on the ere Of the election. 9 ~
II is provided by the Constitution of the
United States that the government thereof
shall protect each Of the States, on the appll-
cation Of the Legislature Tor the Executive
when the Legislature cannot be convenedl,
against domestic violence. F -e't '' p
| No domestic violence no breach OF the
peace, no molestation of any citizen in the
exercise Of any right exists, Or is threatened,
or apprehended, or likely to arise in the
Commonwealth. Perfect peace, order and
security reign throughout our borders, every
citizen of whatever race, color, or condition
is protected, can be protected, and will be
protected, in all his personal and political
rights, privileges, and immunitics by all the
authorities of this State.
| No application by the Legislature or by
the Executive has been made to the Presi.
| dent for protection against domestic or other