Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-07-20
CoLonEp CELERnArIoN Ann R1or-

thursday last, Waa during the first part an
orderly affair, but wound up, we regre. to
say, in riot. A procession of the colored
Orders was formed in tho forenoon, headed
by Toliver's Band of Shepherdstowp, and
after parading through the principal streets,
moved out to the Herbert woods, where q
| portion, of the day was spent. The procession
returned to town in the afternoon, and
speaking began at the Court, House. After
several speakers had taken the stand and
given vent to violent Republican harangues,
to which good many of our white people
listened without interrupting them, tho Rev.
Jas. II. Carey, of Shepherdstown, the colored
Democrat who spoke here few nights ago,
was invited by the colored officials to take
the stand. His appearance at once brought
forth numerous threatening expressions from
various quarters of the colored audience,
which were as quickly suppressed by our
efficient Town Sergeant aud Policeman. AT
length an encounter took place between two
men in the Court. House yard, when Police
man Hough arrested one of the parties. He
was Immediately assailed by a large body of
negroes, who attempted the release of the
prisoner. Mr.. Hough, however. although
in an extremely perilous position for time.
held on to his prisoner. Mayor Slifer and
Sergeant Simpson were also quickly present,
and bravely faced the now bowling mob.
Other white citizens (and with them Wis
itor to our town, gallant citizen of Ohio,
MIR. John II. Dugan, of Toledo, agent for
the Sutherland Falls and Rutland Marble
Companies) quickly came to the aid of our
officers. Notwithstanding they were forced
by the mob, in its efforts to release the pris.
oner, for the distance of nearly block down
Main street, the officers and their assistants
(promincut among them Lieut. s. Avis,
who recently graduated at West Point) main
tanned possession of their prisoner, and
lodged him safely in the lookup. Several
other arrests were made and fines imposed
by the Mayor, and the affair finally Quoted
Much is due to the GOODNESS and efficiency of
our corporate officers that the result was not
much more serious than has been the case,
and we hope such will not occur again. Our
colored people enjoy the free and uutram-
mcied right of suffrage. and are permitted to
have their celebrations uumoested Whilst
they have these privileges they must also
remember that they, as well as white citi-
zens, are. amenable to the law, and must
answer its behests. The same law that pro,
tects the coiored Republican, and gives him
the free right of thought aud action, will as
as a Democrat in the same rights. and all
their efforts to make it otherwise will prove
futile. Moreover, if these gatherings are to
be annually made the occasion of riotous and
unlawful conduct, was the case on Thurs
day last, the law. abiding citizens of Charles
town will be tempted to.take such action as
will prevent tte future recurrence of such
parades. In New York City and elsewhere
the parades of the Orangemen have been at
times prohibited to prevent riots, and the
same can be done here, if necessary. Our
people do not wish to take such action, but
we give our colored people the friendly warn
ing that much will depend on their own good
behavior that it is not done. i closing this
paragraph VIC must not forget to give proper
credit where it is due, and feel disposed to
say that many of the colored people present
on Thursday took no active part whatever in
the unlawful acts committed. The prompt
assistance of such, however, to the officers
OF the law, would have done much towards
immediately quieting the tumult. Their
non action in this direction may have been
in 81 r.
part, and we therefore say to them that every
citizen, whether white or black, is liable to be
called upon by an officer to assist in making
an arrest, and that it is his bouuden duty as
law>ablding citizen to obey-the law in
dicting penalty if he does not do So This,
We hope, our colored people will remember.
Jim Strain, the first negro man arrested
on Thursday. was on Friday committed to
Jail by Justice Flagg, to await the action of
the next grand jury, and Mason Peudleton
was held to bail for his appearance before the
same body.
Coon ACCoUNT-"To sum it up, six
long years of bed ridden sickness, cost
ing $500 per. year; total S1,2OO-all of
which was stopped by three bottles of Hop
b'tters taken by my wife. who has done her
own homework for year since. without the
loss of day, and | want every body to know
it for their benefit.
JOHN WEEKS, Butler, N. Y"
There is place in Charlestown where
you can get American and Swiss Watches
from $3.50 to slOt. Silvcrware of all kinds
Spectacles to suit everybody from 25 cents
to $3.50 per pair. Violin Strings the best
in town. Pistols; Cartridges by the box or
dozen. German ACCORDION, Vioins sl25
to $40 each, Violin Bows 25 cents to 81 90,
Bapjos, Guitars, Jews Harps. Flies, Wits,
ties, Bird Seed, 10 cents per pound
very best-Bird Cages Spectacle Gases.