National Republican., 1878-10-18

tonal comment at the time, preferring 70
wait until We received more ample intolli-
gence, in view Of the facility with which
the Democracy are wont to inyeigh against
Haunting what they call the "bloody shirt"
Our forbearance in this instance has been
rewarded by the publication in our paper of
yesterday of a telegram from Hicksford, the
county seat Of Greenville County, emanat-
ing from source entitled to the fullest
credit, of one Of the most diabolical outrages
on the freedem.of political opinion that has
ever occurred within the State Of Virginia,
and is worthy to be ranked with the CHS
oLM onormity in Mississippi. The facts, ms
recited to US, arc that while the Hon.
CHARLES p. RAMsDEIL, who ran on the
ticket with Judge HuGHEs as the Re-
publican candidate for Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor, in 1873, was speaking to
a Republican audience at Hicksford, on
the day in question, a colored man
named ApoLPHUs TRorTER applauded
some remark of the speaker, when W. A.
REESE, one of the leading Democrats in the
county, and q member OF the State Legis-
lature, called him out of the Court-House
and shot him dead. The account goes on
to state that although there were over 400
colored men present, and there was great
confusion, peaceful counsels prevailed. The
speaking of course was stopped, which may
or may not have been the object in COM
mitting the dastardly nct and "the victim
" lay corpse at the very doors Of the temple
" of justice to add another subject for q
mock trial in the annals Of the country"
To those who know Mr.. RAMsDELL, it is
unnecessary to add that he is incapable Of
saying anything calculated to in6ame the
passions Of men; indeed, he has universally
been regarded as one of the most temperate
men in the ranks of either party in the
State, and therefore there could have been
no provocatou in the speech that this inno-
cent colored man npplauded to have merited
even rebuke, much less cold-blooded murder.
From the beginning of the canvass in
that district, knowing the ruflianly ante
cedents Of the self-nominated candidate of
the Democratic party, his violations of
all the proprieties of lifc-his ballot
box.stuflng record and bullying tendeu-
cies, we have sympathized with his Op-
ponent, Hon. JOSEPH JoRGENsEN, in his
brave but courteous fight against
such n man. for 1t must naturally be ex-
pected that those who indorse and sustain
the candidacy OF a man Of that character
will be to greater or less extent afflicted
with the same vile tendencies. The affairs
at Prince George Court-liouse and ut
Hicksford attest it beyond question. The
next question Is, what are the authorities
" going to 10 about il: We have heard
,hority in such matters, viewing the future
by the past, 10 assert that nothing will be
done. What will the national authorities
do? Can il be that we have fallen upon sucl
evil times, 50 near, too, to the capital of the
General Government, that the life Of a citi.
zen can be taken with impunity by Demo-
cratic thugs without, at least, an effort be.
ing made TO bring the guilty murderer Il
Justice? We shall nnxiously await the
result, and we confess to a fear that If some
thing be not done that the gallant JORGEN
sen himself will barely escape assassination
at the hands of those who cannot beat hin
at the polls. How long shall these acts bt
committed ia a question for a Republican
North and West 70 answer in behalf of thei
prosecuted brethren of the South, If thos'
who have the power fail to their duty.