The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-21
THE MISSISSIPPI PLAN.

Later facts concerning the assassination of
j. P Matthews, at Hazlehurst, Miss, make
plain that it was deliberately planned MUIR
der, the elimination of series of intimida-
tons and outrages. 1t is shown that mid
night raiders prowled over the country and
attacked the houses of colored men, shooting
into them, and dragging out the inmates and
logging them. The same gang met and
passed resolutions denouncing Matthews and
ordering him to remain at home on
election day, on penalty of death.
This impudent order he chose to dis
obey; and for having presumed to 60 to the
polls and vote he was shot, just as his ballot
was recorded. Two days later the mayor of
murder and issued a proclamation in which
he declared that with the assistance OF the
sheriff of Copiah county and 1.-THE chairman
of the Democratic committee" all protection
would be afforded under the law. One
reason why the chairman of the Republican
committee was not included in the COM
mittee of public safety was that
be was the J. P. Matthews killed
by Democrat for daring to vote at public
election. But the coroner outdoes the mayor
in taking a calm and deliberate view of the
situation. Somebody having "suggested'
that an inquest be had over the body of
Matthews, he did So but before summoning
the jury he was told that E. B. Wheeler did
the killing, and Mr. Wheeler was candid
enough to admit it, and kindly informed the
coroner that che could make out his verdict
that way" With these suggestions and CON
siderable encouragement, the coroner pro-
ceeded TO the execution of his unpleasant
duty, but with what results not known, and
it is probably OF little consequence.
Unfortunately or the Northern press, it is
waving the bloody shirt" to comment on or
even publish such news. But the Journal,
at the risk of offending Democrats, again
calls public attention to this horrible out
rage. 1t is nothing less. The servle Demo
cratic press OF the North may treat political
assassination as a matter of no mo-
ment, but the Republican party, and the
people in general, cannot afford to-
ignore those acts of violence. The "bloody
shirt" is waved again to-day because the Dem
ocratic party in the South will not quits she'd
ding blood long enough to allow the crimson
stain to he washed out. 1t ought to be, and
is, as serious crime against political liberty
and against the peace and order of society to
kill Republican in Hazlehurst, Miss, as to
kill Democrat in indianapolis. When
would the cry cease if the chairman of the
Democratic central committee of Marion
county, Indiana, were assassinated as
he turned from dropping his vote into the
ballot-box? A life is life anywhere in the
Union, and murder is murder, although its
victim may be a Republican who dares take
part in politics The South will not let sec
tional issues die, and until it does the North
must unite for sef-defense and for the pres
ervaton OF the integrity of political institu-
tons. So long as these organized outrages
continue the people cannot afford to let the
Democratic party come into power With
such fragrant offenses against law and order
in face of invited defeat, what would not
these villains dare if their friends and de-
tenders were in control Of the nation?