The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-30
An Issue of the Canvass,

In his Boston speech, reviewing the is
sues of the canvass, Senator Hoar re-
garded the protection of southern repub-
licaus in the exercise of the right of suf-
frage as one of the first questions, CON-
pared to which every other was petty and
triiing. Referring to the suppression of
the ballot at the South, the senator said:
"You tell me Governor Cleveland is not
responsible for these things. You know very
well that he is seeking to obtain the pres
idency at the price of these things II he were
to declare in a manner that showed he was in
earnest that he would, If president, use the
power invested in him for their suppression, or
IL he should declare, as an honest man should
do that he would not take an office gained by
such MEANS he could not get democratic vote
south OF Mason and Dixon's line My friends,
know whereof Ispeak. | was charged, a few
months ago, with the duty Of investigating the
election methods in the state of Mississippi. 1t
WAS not a question of negro supremacy. Some
six or seven hundred white men had got tired
of the democracy and had Joined the republi-
cans to form an independent party in Copiah
county, Mississippi. A band Of one hundred
and fifty men, all democrats, composed as was
admitted, of the best citizens, armed with rifles
and shot-guns, mounted, rode about that
county for fortnight before election They
visited the dwellings Of large numbers of re-
publicans in the night time. Some they muir
dered in their BEDS Others were logged and
otherwise abused. From many they extorted
pledges that they would vote the democratic
ticket. They broke up republican meetings.
They made night hdeous with cannon. This
went on till the republican voters in large num-
bers fled to the woods, and the democratic mi
nority had an easy victory in the election. The
commander OF this band was one Wheeler, and
Ia fal liam mt naiIn ha do haf fha
election the armed company waited upon Print
Matthews, the leading republican OF the county.
Matthews was the principal citizen OF the
county, wealthy merchant, with two sons in
college, and two grown daughters in his house.
He was generous brave, liberal benefactor
of schools and churches. No man ever asked
him for favor and was refused The demo-
cratic witnesses testified that everybody liked
him il it we're not for his politics. They drew
up in the road near his gate and sent him
demand in writing that he should abstain from
voting the next day He answered the mes
senger: 1t seems to me this is very strange
thing in a republican government have tried
to be useful to society every way that could
/ have never done any of you any harm. adj
NIT 1t Is in your power to murder me- but am
going to vote tomorrow unless you do kill me-
Matthews went to the polls and cast the first
vote in the morning, AS he placed ii in the
box, Wheeler, who was the democratic cha-
lenger. shot him dead with the charge of one
parreI III Tue neArt ana anOtner Just below the
| throat. The sound OF the gun was heard by Mat
thews wife and daughter as they sat in the
porch of their home. There was a mass meet.
ing the next day, in which exutant resolutions
were passed, declaring that il any attempt
were made to revenge Matthews DEATH his rel
atves should be held responsible, warning his
family to keep out of politics in future, declar-
ing that Copiah shakes hands with Yszoo,'
| and adjourning to meet at the call Of the chair
man OF the democratic committee. Yazoo is
| the county so notorious for election frauds and
crimes, where Dixon was shot in the back
| few years ago. These resolutions were in the
| handwriting OF the democratic district attorney.
Bailey, the second in command. made a boast
full speech, describing the method by which
| they had carried the county. He drew pistol
and said, We took along something like this.
| 1t Is the best method Of electopeerng ever
have seen II those men who have left us do
not come back to us, believe you will kill
them out without my advice Wheeler, the
murderer. was made city marshal Of Halle
hurst few weeks after, and Bailey, his lieu
tenant, is, | am told, the democratic candidate
for presidential elector. Such, my innocent
| college president and venerable doctor of di-
vinity Ia the way your democratic allies treat
independent movements in Mississippi. But