The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-02-15

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AZARIAH.
YHE OXFORD GRAND JURY AGAIN.

| To he Editor Of The Comet;
In The COMET of last week | notice an
editorial in reply to my communication OF
the 9Th inst, and while thanking you for
the courteous response, permit me to sug-
gest that you misapprehend the facts as
connected with the U. S. Conrt recently
held at Oxfotd and therefore | very re-
spoctfully beg leave to point out one or two
errors into which you have fallen, And
first. allow me to say that | contemplated
no attack on Judge Hill, for | believe him
gentle almost to fault. and truly congrat-
uate the indicted parties on having fallen
into the hands Of a Judge from whose
bosom the milk of human kindness seems
| to flow SO freely.
You assume that certain parties we're IN
licted at Oxford for supposed ''crimes
against the Republican party" and in this
assumption, Mr.. Editor, | think you err
most egregiously. If have read tho signs
of tie times, aud the newspapers, Alright
there. has been no Republican party in Mis-
sissirpi since the piping days of 1875.
This being the case, the question therefore
naturally arises, against whom those good
citizens" offended? Certainly not against
the ''great party of moral ideas" for, as
previously said, it had already been killed
ont, and consequently was no more compe-
tent to inhict political evil than the kick
of hamstrung mule.
In the First Congressional District where
all the excitement occurred not Republi-
can banner was unfurled and moreover not
a man who had previously trained with the
Republican party was before the people for
Office, General Reuben Davis a pros
nouncod Democrat, and who had grown old
in the service of his party, was the Green
back candidate for congress, and on account
of his inherent worth and general popular
ity. men of ali political views, Conserva-
tiyes, Democrats, Republicans and myers
focked to his standard. General Davis
attempted to canvass his district, but
everywhere was met with scorn and de
rision, and in some places ESQ am inform
ed could not fill his appointments without
risk of personal violence,
The election, however. came on-the
votes were counted, and like the handle Of
a lug the ballots were all on one side. |
Balldozers and ballot-box suffers had car
ried the day, and in that district "Honle |
rule and local government" had gained |
a mighty victory.
Some time after this the Federal Court |
met at Oxford, and very properly took
lognizance of the disgraceful facts as con-
nected with that election. A Grand Jury
of twenty three persons was en-
and out of that number there
was one white and two colored RepubliN
cans. The Petit Juries were composed
of twelve persons each, and contained only
two Republicans. one white and one color
ed. Total, forty-seven Jurors, and out of
this number there were but five hep1tbli-
cans. Could those five Republicans have
influenced the action of the remaining
Democratic jurors As well may
Won tell me you have seen meteoro stones
fall from the clouds And yet in the face
Of these facts I am surprised, Mr.. Editor,
that one so conservative as yourself should
try t. make 1t appear that the findings of
that Court had no other than a mere pOliti-
cal signfcance-tha that it was simply an ebul-
lition of Radical hate, and that "oqr pea
pie are not guilty as charged in the indict
inents. There is danger in such teachings,
md if the press continue to give the peo-
pie such palladium the day is not distant
when our condition will be worse, IT posi-
bic. than that Of Mexico. Let the law be
Make it possible for every man
to speak his political faith without let or
1iudrance. and where now there is anxiety
and fear, confidence and hope will spring
M. and ours Will soon be a happy and
people. On the other hand, II
awlessness is to prevail, If slushed knee
1reeches, long roweled spurs, aud lariat
Ielts are to be the order OF the Gay, then
N that event the sooner all decent people
get out Of the State the better.
Very respectfully,
AZAEIAH.