Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-11-15
i. Saudu len.q.eOt.ueh ar.lA.atiOu ofthe,nr rher.
!, mar 5. Without srsatlv onerous taxation or di.
The "Bloody Shirt" in Virginia.


Evidence accumulates that the Dan
willie riot" as 1t is called, was delioer-
ately planned by the BouIbens 10 intim-
idate the negroes and prevent them frem
voting. To effect this it was necessary
to precipilate row. and furnish a pre-
text for the attack on the blacks. The
opportunity was supplied at Democrat
ic mass meeting in the Opera house. a
number of negroes, curious to hear. bad
gathered in the skirts of the audience,
and were standing about the street.
Some one exploded pistol: it is net
known who. and this was signal for
the Bourbons to rush out of the build
ing and commence firing on the negroes,
who ran like frightened sheep, buS few
having the courage to face their asSail-
ants, and but few of them armed or pre-
pared for the attack. Five negroes were
killed outright, aud two died from their
wounds afterward. while many more
were more or less injured.
To give proper effect to this bloody
affair it was Immediately telegraphed
over the State that the blacks had risen
in Danville and were firing upon the
white people. There was general rush
to arms, the militia were called out, and
as much Importance given the affair as
though every white mans life III the
State was in peril. And it was not with
out its effect. 1t doubtless caused many
| CoalitiOnists to change their votes, while
multitude of black voters absented
! themselves entirely from the polling
places. In North and South Danville
and a neighbOring precinct fully 1900
votes were thus lost to the CoalitlOnists.
The revival of the shotgun policy in
Virginia to carry the State against Ma
hone, was, we repeat, premedltated
act. The proof of this was given in an
editorial in the Bourbon organ, the
Richmond State. of November 2, in
which it was said that if the negroes
would not vote as the Bourbons told
them to, they must be driven either to
do il or be kept from voting at all.
Now, while we do not sympath re
with Malone, and are ready to admit
that his BosSism in Virginia has been
Extensively displayed, We condemn any
| illegitimate effort to defeat him. Ii the
Bourb0ns could not muster enough
strength to overthrow him fairly and
squaTely, they should have submltted,as
minorities in other States do, to the will
of the majority, and tried it again. The
violent suppression of the ballot of Ell
ther white or black voters, is an out
rage that cannot be quietly submitted
to. 1t Is a wrong done to the white peo-
pie as well as the individual thus de-
prived of bis francf Use.
l. Aud yet it is upon this policy that the
Democracy count for Solid South.
They have never protested against 1t,
neither when it was applied in MlsSls
sippi nor South Carolina, but have
cheerfully pOcketed the results of the
| infamy while staggering about boast
ing that they have the South so'ldly.
Whether the people of the North will
allow the usufruct of such scandalouS
and infamous policy to materialize IN d
Democratic President in 1884, remains
to be considered. Showing cheerful
readiness to abide the result OF a fair
and legal election, it becomes serious
matter when a great party assents, If it
does not openly approve, the policy that
trusts to fraud and violence and the sup
preston of a right to vote, for success.
This may be sneeringly said to be
raising "the bloody shirt" but the respon-
sibility for that rests upon those who
make murder and massacre a part of
their political machinery. There will be
no -bloody shirt, or other "Reminiscences,
unpleasant to the ears of the Bourbons,
if they will abandon the methods adopt
ed in Virginia to carry the election. But
if they want the "bloOdy shirt" waved
with telling effect, they have only to
shed blood, to intimidate voters and
murder men to gain political ends. Gin.
| Com. Gazette.