Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-10-22
Southern Tyranny and Domination.

The postmaster general recently ap-
pointed three special agents to investi-
gate the attempt to assassinate Postmas-
ter Nix, of Blsckville, South Carolina,
two Of whom were born and brought up
in the south. These men made careful
examination Of the facts and circum-
stances relating to the dastardly affair,
and their report has been received by the
pcstof6ce department. It fully sustains
the correctness of the report of the
affair which was first published, and
adds some facts which show most con-
clusively that the shooting was the re-
suit OF deliberate conspiracy of lead
ing men in the peace to kill the
postmaster because he is negro and a
Republican. The report bears testimony
to the postmaster's character,
and to his competency for his
duties, and says that, prior to
the reign of terror which has prevailed
since the Democrats got control Of the
state, he was popular and influential.
Although the shooting was open, and the
shooter made no attempt to conceal his
act, but rode up and down the principal
street of the village, clustering and
threatening, no attempt was made to
arrest him, nor was any notice taken Of
the affair by the local papers. The grand
jury was in session at the time, but it
took no action in relation to the crime.
This is another evidence that Demo-
cratic government in the southern states
means that outrage and murder may be
committed with impunity upon all
Republican who dare in any way to
exercise the constitutional right of indi-
viduals in political matters. It is worse
than folly for any one to deny the exist
ence OF this reign Of terror in the south,
or to say That it is exaggerated; for
the evidence of it is incontrovertible.
The Chicago Times recently sent cor
respondent to Mississippi to investigate
the assassination of Dixon, and although
he went there with the impression that
probably the outrage matter had been
overdone, he found that the reports fell
short of the actual truth-that the con-
dition of affairs was much worse
than had been represented. This
is also the testimony of men
who have lived in the south.
A gentleman who has lived for some
years in Arkansas, came to Wisconsin a
few weeks ago, and said that the south
erners boast that they yill carry the
next presidential election, and that then
every northern man has got to leave the
south. Now when it is remembered that
these intolerant bigots, these barbarians,
can succeed in their purpose of suppress
ing all real freedom In the south onl
through the aid of the Democratic party
when it is remembered, too, that every
Democratic victory in the north encour-
ages them in their Infamous purpose, what
patriotic citizen can, by his vote, or by
Indifference to the result of political
campaigns, aid in the success of that
party. This is a matter which rises
above mere party scheming into the first
Importance, and becomes question in
volving the perpetuation of liberty and
equal rights in at least one portion of the
Union. # this state of things continues
to prevail at the south the free
dom of speech, and of action, and
the purity of elections will be more
efectually suppressed in the southern
states than during the days of slavery.
The success of the Democratic party
means the indefinite continuance of
just that condition of things. Shall the
Democratic party succeed? Let every
true citizen answer this question at the
polls next November, and answer it
upon his conscientious judgment, indie