National Republican., 1878-07-16
ALABAMA JUSTICE.
How Democrats Treat the Blacks.
Correspondence OF the National Republican


Correspondence of the National Republican,
EAsTIN, ALA, July ~.
As the great investigation goes on, we Of the
South are daily becoming more interested.
Alabama politicians Of the Democratic stripe
are unit on at least one question, viz: That
all Republicans In office should step down and
out and their places be filled by the Demo-
Gratis Of the Southern persuasion-that noble
band Of patriots who not only riskcd their
lives for the dear lost cause, but who have,
since their beloved Confederacy went up In q
balloon, manifested their love for law and order
by killing "niggers" and holding Democratic
conventions.
BY relating au incident which occurred In
Decatur, Ala, few days since, you will un.
derstand how 1t is that the killing Of "niggers"
and holding Democratic conventions are SO
frequently associated.
Some few nights since the residence Of one
Of Decatur's citizens was entered, and q jar Of
preserved fruit stolen. Before the hungry
burglar could escape the alarm was given, aud
he was seen sufficiently to be recognized, aud,
behold It was "ngger." The town was at
once raised and search made, but without
success
The irate loser of the fruit offered 800 re-
ward. to which the newly elected mayor added
500 more. The intelligence Of this outrage,
tORetuCr win tue OHcr OF fSpO reWaru, reaCHeu
| Huntsville, a distance of twenty-five miles.
A strange and suspicious looking negro was
arrested, and tho unfortunate loser of the
| fruit was telegraphed. He took the first train
| for Huntsville; the next day returned to De-
catur with the town marshall of Huntsville,
having the prisoner in charge, pinioned hand
and foot with coils Of rope. They went iInme-
datcly to the courtroom, where 1t was ex-
pcctcd a preliminary examination OF the case
would be held.
Once In the courtroom the deeply-wronged
and much to obe.sympathzcd- with loser of the
| fruit asked some questions Of the prisoner
(who was still bound hand and FOOT, the
prisoner making no reply, the outraged scion
| Of chivalry while labOring under At Of tenn
porary insanity las is claimed by his friends)
drew his revolver, placed 1t at the prisoners
head and fired, the ball entering the neck.
The shooting attracted general attention to
the courthouse, and In q few moments the
room where the "nigger' was lying supposed
to be dead was crowded, and the "nigger"
being disposed of it was decided to hold a
Democratic caucus or convention, having for
its object (it was stated of selecting delegates
to the county and district convention ; after u
wrangle of several hours the convention adj
journed.
A learned Justice Of the peace being present,
II was decided to finish the Niger" II he
wasn't dead. He was dragged from the corner
most dying condition, he was addressed by the
l. D. as follows; We don't want to pronounce
sentence without first having given you n
chance to prove your innocence" Oh, what
magnanimity
They were actually willing he should prove
his innocence before he had been proven guilty,
for the very good reason they well knew II
would he rs difficult for the poor negro to prove
his innocence as for them to prove his guilt.
After this farce the negro WAS held In de.
fault Of s., 900 bond. Up this writing have
heard nothing Of any notice having been taken
Of the shooting of the bound prisoner while IN
the courtroom awaiting trial. In the custody
of the officers Of the law. But, sir, what L
very significant, the man who committed thi,
diabolical act was the next day nominated OF
the Democratic ticket TO represent Morgan
County In the Alabama Legislature. The
nogro is lodged in the county Jail, and will
probably recover from his wounds.
=. Mr. Editor, what opinion can civilization
form Of 4 community which, instead Of pro
testing against such diabolical act, make
, haste TO reward the perpetratorf This Ii onl!
, one Of scores Of such eases constantly occur
ring all over the South and, as we are jus
entering the fall campaign, II is expected Il
have the desired effect Oh the colored voter.
vIRA.