New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-09-01
THE vICKsBURG OUTRAGE.
Republican Meeting Suppressed.


dispatches made gingerly mention of the
breaking up of Hayes and Wheeler ratif-
cation meeting at Vicksburg, and the
rotten-egging of ex-senator II. X. Pease.
Papers now at hand throw some light on
this outrageous affair.
A CORE spondent of the jackson Times
writes from Vicksburg, August %:
According to announcement the Hayes
and Wheeler Club met in front of the post
office Monday evening. August %. Alex.
ander Arthur, one of the oldest citizens of
Vicksburg, gentleman of high character
and respected by all Glasses of the people
of Vicksburg, was elected chairman of the
meeting.
A crowd of Democratic rowdies COM
menced at once TO disturb the proceedings
by insulting the officers of the meeting and
whooping and yelling like band Of Sioux
savages.
Ex-senator Pease, in attempting to make
a speech, was assaulted with brickbats and
rotten eggs. He bravely stood up and de-
pounced the rioters until there were unmis-
taxable evidences of Q determination on the
part OF the mob to break up the meeting at
whatever cost. He at last advised the Re-
publicans to retire quietly to their homes.
There was nothing said or done at the
outrageous assault made upon the Senator.
He opened his remarks by appealing to the
crowd to desist from their riOtous proceed
ngs, and attempted to show the disastrous
effect such lawlessness must have upon the
business interests of the city. and the repu-
tation of the community for law and order.
At this point of his speech the assault COM
menced.
Thus is added another instance of Demo
cratic intolerance and intimidation, for
partisan ends. to the long list of Outrages
committed in the South upon Republicans.
1t evinces the temper and policy of the
Southern wing of the great reform party.
Fair if We can, forcibly if we must" are
the watchw words. Free speech is not to be
tolerated. The franchises of citizenship
guaranteed by the constitution and laws OF
the country are to be hencetorth stricken
down. The pistol, bowie knife and mob
are to be made the chief instruments Tor
party supremacy.
The Times comments editoriaily on the
above:
Our Vicksburg correspondent, "Repub-
lican," furnishes brief account of most
outrageous attack made upon Republican
meeting in that city on the twenty eighth
instant
This was the first time during the present
canvass LndI INC hcpuUuCduS VI NlCAsUuIk
had attempted to hold public meeting.
Hon. A. H. Arthur, one Of the oldest citi-
zens, gentleman of conservative views,
who commands the respect and confidence
of the community, was selected to preside,
and Mr.. Joseph w. Short, OF unexception-
able character and good standing, was
chosen secretary. Hon. H. Il. Pease, Hon.
j. s. Morris and Judge George F. Brown,
were announced as speakers, and the meet
,vr IN he
street, directly in front of the new post
office, the officers, reporters. speakers, and
few invited guests occupying the gallery
in front. The arrangements were complete
in every respect, and sIch as could not give
rise to the slightest reasonable OBJ
lection on the part of any good citi.
zen. Il might have been supposed
that the presence OF the gentlemen
named would have been sufficient to re-
strain the most lawless from acts of vio-
lence. Not so, no Eever, for the meeting
was broken up. The Uaited States post
office was O--ra'Lertd with eggs which
emitted the most Offensive odOr, 30 offensive
that they produced sickness and vomiting
in one instance, aad there was no interfer-
ence by the city authorities nor protests
against the outrage by leading citizens,
who, we are informed, were present IN large
numbers.
OF course no gentleman will undertake
to justify the action of the rowdies; on the
contrary, their lswlessness will be univer-
sally condemned, but this will not be salts
factory. The outrage should have been
prevented.
Vicksburg is under Democratic rule.
From mayor to night watch the effices are
filled by "reform' Democrats, and yet they
are either unable or unwilling to preserve
the peace and TO protect citizens IN the en-
JOY m nut of their legal rights. 1t is. doubt
less disheartening to Republicans to learn
that they can not hold public meetings in
VIcksburg without subjecting themselves to
insult and violence, but they are not the
only sufferers The whole community in
which such outrages are tolerated must
bear the evil consequences.
Vicksburg will soon acquire, if she has
not already, the reputation OF being ruled
by rOughs, and decent people will naturally
shun city thus governed.
The Vicksburg Herald dives down into
the ethics of public mass meetings, and
comes back with this glittering gem Of
logic:
As to the charge that public meeting
was disturbed. that amounts 70 nothing.
There is no such thing as disturbing pub
ic meeting in public street. Every one
has the right to talk as loud and as much as
he pleases in the streets. We have never
seen this right denied, and when political
parties wish to hold a meeting where the
law will protect them, they should hire q
hall and aek for the proper officers to guard
their rights. If this Ia doue, We are certain
go 81; x,yvl hAu a