The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1884-11-01
THE WILMINGTON OUTRAGE.
DEMOCRATIC CONNITTEE,S AID.
DRESS TO THE REPUBLICANS.

Expressing the Feeli ing About the
Throwing of Stones by Negroes inro
the late Democratic Meeting in that
City.
The committee, appointed at meeting
OF Democrats, to address the reputable
Republicans about the recent outrage in
Wilmington, have written the following !:
y. II. Naming, Esq, Chairman Of the
hepublicon County Er. Committee
DEAR SIR: The undersigned were ap-
pointed last night at large assembly of
the Democratic citizens of Wilmington. a
committee to confer ''with the reputable
leaders Of the Republican party here,
and to notify them of the feelings Of the
white people of this community concern
ing the outrage perpetrated on last night
upon peaoeable assembly of citizens by a
Republican procession, consisting mainly
Of blacks, and to notify these reputable
leaders that the recurrence of such
proceeding will lead to a difficulty. and
that they will be held responsible for the
consequences.
The outrage and the facts attending it
are these: Both the political parties held
meetings last night and marched in pro-
cesslon. The Republicans met in the old
market place, on Market and Front
streets. The Democrats met in front of
the City Hall, on the corner of Princess
and Third streets. The Democrats. with
the purpose and intention to avoid the
possibility of disturbing or incommoding
the Republican procession or the speakers,
changed their programme so as that the
Democratic procession should take up
Gen. Scales at remote point and march
by direction to the place Of meeting al
together out Of reach of the possibility of
an encounter. Notwithstanding this man
Hesitation of a peaceable and orderly dis
position, large procession of Republicans,
manly OF negroes, moved to Princess
street, headed by full band of music,
and thence along that street to Third,
where the Democratic meeting was held
When they reached that point the music
was played Justify. and the procession
yelled, accompanying the noise with jeers
and derisiye and offe us ve demonstrations
lnsOmuch that the Democratic candidate
for Governor could not proceed with his
address, and was put u silence, In the
same moment two missiles were thrown,
one Of which struck Gel. J. N. Staples, a
guest of the citizens, and both of which
were sufficiently dane orOuS to produce
serious injury.
This unprovoked outrage is of a very
grave character being gross interference
with the freedom Of the citizens, and we
invite you to look with thoughtful cOnsid-
GRAFTON upon the consequences to which
its recurrence will be sure to lead This
is not the only occasion Of these outrages:
they have occurred at every political cam
paign, beginning in 1868.
Such recurrence will not be permitted to
pass with impunity, and this notification
is addressed to you in your political char
acter and relation to the Republican party,
with the request that you will confer with
your associate leaders about this notifica-
ton, its meaning and significance.
1t can readily be seen that it is strictly
defensive: not being intended either to
threaten or intimidate, but simply to de-
clare fixed and deliberate purpose.
In conclusion this committee in behalf
Of the Democratic people of Wilmington
assures all concerned that they will concur
most cordially in all measures calculated
to keep the peace and insure the free ex-
preston of opinion to all parties, and as
they have in the past so will they In the
future abstain from ali conduct likely to
lead to the contrary.
They invite similar line of conduct on
the part of the Republicans, for the deter
mination is reached not to hold any por
ton Of their freedom on liberation or at
peril.
We have now done our duty, and re-
sponsibility will be incurred or avoided
as this notification and invitation shall
meet a favorable or an unfavorable re-
ception. Yours respectfully,
(Signed.) D. K. MCRAE
F. W KERCHNER,
JNO. L. CANTWELL,