The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-12-06
columbus Journal.1
low They DO Tt i'm Mississippi.

How They DO 1t in Mississippi.
During the recent campaign In MIS-
sissippi, our readers will remember,
one|J. P. Matthews was murdered IN
cold blood in Copiah County, In that
State, because he was a r pub lctn
and had the courage to say 50. Inere
was nothing peculiar or novel III the
case in that State to make 1T specially
remembered, but the above are the
facts. The people who are responsible
for the murder, probably hearing
through some Of the m-ddlesome
Northern papers Of the Rppnbllcan
persuasion that there was pref dice
up here against such trifing disagree,
ments, held mass meeting to send
out to the world some justification OF
the transaction. The report OF that
meeting is a curious thing in its way,
and shows their methods OF reasoning
down there, and how they look upon
any criticism Of their policy.
The report is in the form OF a pre-
amble and resolutions, and sets forth
that whereas certain rumors are cur
rent that the relatives Of the late ).
P. Matthews have threatened the
peace of society in order to avengee
his death by killing Democrats and
destroying their property 1t Is there,
fore resolved that IF any person shall
be injured, or an attempt made to IN
jure him. either in person or property
in any manner by the said relatives
or friends of said j. P Matthews. that
we hereby declare that we Will holo
his said relatives or friends WHO par,
ticipate accountable for the same, and
that we will regard them as without
the pale and protection OF the law,
and common enemies OF society, anu
that we will visit upon them certain
and swift retribution.
Tt is also suggested that lit is ne
ccessary to the safety Of society and
the welfare of all races and classes III
this country that the Matthews fami-
ly shall keep out of politics IN Coplah
County"
The friends and relatives of ''the
said J. P. Matthews" are admonlshed
that, so long as they obey tie law
and become good citizens" they shall
be protected by the law, but when
they cease to be such the people re-
solving will take the law into their
own hands and enforce the foregoing
resolutions" That is to say, the M at
thews family and friends must obey
the law because they are Republicans
and friends of the negro. but every
body else may "pledge themselves,
each to the other, our lives, our for
tunes and our sacred honor" to meet
at the call of the chairman, and
wreak vengeance upon the Matthews
family" if they do not keep out OF
politics in Copiah County"
The most curious aud ominous OF
the resolutions is as follows:
Resolved, That committee OF
twenty-four from each supervisor
district be appointed by the chair t
present copy Of these resolutions t t
the brothers and sons of the late j. T
Matthews, and that the same be pub
lished in the Capital Signal and thu
the Crystal Springs Meteor"
The formidable character OF thu
committee will no doubt impress "th'
brothers and sons" that business /
meant; the surviving members OF th
Matthews family may be consldere'
as eliminated from the politics OF Co
piah County, and reliable Democrat
ic majority assured in the future.
After resolving to maintain thel
club organization, and hold th-mselVe
Subject to the call Of the chairmA
of the Democratic executive commit
tee" the patriotic Assem- blage adjourn
ed.
In regard to which the Memphi
Avalanche complacently remarks "th
surviving relatives of the deceased .
P. Matthews will find this advice
be Of very wholesome character.
And yet we are told that the Sout
is peaceable and quiet, and that the1
is no such thing as political proscrlE
ton, but that all men are free to IL
dulge in politics at their own will an
pleasure.