Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-09-01
The Mississippi Plan In Vermont.

REPUBLICAN ToRCHLIGHT PROCESSION MoBBED
AT RuTLAND-RIor ONLY PREVENTED by THE
FoRBEARANCE OF THE REPUBLIoASs-ONE OF
THE Boys IN BLUE AssAuLTED-FLAG TORN
Down AT BENNISGToN-Two OF THE VILLAINS
IN JAIL
The most diabolical political outrage which ever
occurred in Vermont was perpetrated in Rutland
Saturday evening We condense the Rutland
Herald account Of it, When the Republican
torchlight procession reached the Herald office,
halt was called and three hearty cheers were
given for the Herald. In response to this act OF
courtesy, Mr.. Lucius Bigelow, the editor, was
called upon to make speech. He assembled tenn
porary rostrum on the sidewalk Before his
introduction was uttered drove of Democratic
hoodlums, who had gathered in mass on the
outskirts Of the Boys in Blue" began hootng
and yelling in true rebel fashion Mr. Bigelow
stopped a moment, and, when the yells died down
again, attempted to speak. The yells were
repeated. Mr. Bigelow appealed to the mob fol
fair treatment and freedom OF speech, and again
tried to speak. His appeal was disregarded and
he was again interrupted. This dsgraceful inter
ruption occurred five separate times when Mr.
Bigelow simply thanked the Boys in Blue, -
and retired, unable to say word that could be
heard on account of the shouting, ten feet away
The Boys In Blue" were under admirable dis
cipline, there would certainly have been a
riot. They spread out into the crowd and tried
all peaceable means to keep them quiet, but could
make no impression. They made appeals to theil
officers to give the word that would permit them
to drive the disgraceful crowd away word
from the officers would have precipitated whirl.
wind that would have swept the entire drove out
of the street But the officers refused to give the
word, preferring insult and interruption to riot
1t was supreme occasion and gloriously did
the Boys in Blue" arise to its full supremacy
They again formed into line gave three rousine
cheers for Mr.. Bigelow, and moved along on theii
march to the front OF the Bates House where q
song was sung and cheers were given for Garfield
and Arthur, for the Boys in Blue A" BY the
Garfield and Arthur club and for the club by the
Boys in Blue" The procession then moved t,
the village hall; here three cheers were given fol
the Irish Republicans, and the club disbanded
The Boys in Blue" then marched to thei
quarters and the demonstration ended the Demo
Gratis still keeping up their hooting. One OF tn,
Boys In Blue" was assaulted and knocked
down while coming out OF the armory 1t is due
| to some OF the prominent members OF the Demo
cratic party to say that they discountenance the
outrage others are no disguised with 1t that the,
propose to desert the party.
The Herald says editoraly: "The simpl,
, recital of this most outrageous, and highly dis
graceful disturbance is enough to make the bloot
boil in the veins Of every true vermonter. Is i
possible that freedom Of speech is not to be per
mitted in Vermont? Is it possible that the Demo
Gratis OF Vermont intend to initiate their south
! ern brethren, and prevent a free expression OF
public opinion? They have already done 80 Il
| 1t possible that liberty-oving Vermont will toler-
ate such actions? Vermonters, awakei Your lib
| critics are In dang er."
In Bennington the same evening the Repub
icans raised fine banner, costing eighty-iv,
dollars, and bearing the portraits OF Garfield ant
Arthur 1t disappeared during the night, ant
consequently there was great excitement Their
Sunday morning, and rewards were offered 70
the detection OF the perpetrators. Later in thu
day 1t was found and two Democratic strikers pu
in jail. 1t is gratifying, for the honor of GU
state, that the decent Democrats there denounc
the outrage, and that many Joined in the search