The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-22
IN HIS OWN VINDICATTON.
Congressman Barksdsle, OF Mississippi. OF
the Copiah County Troubles.
TBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l

by telegraph 10 The Dlspatch.I
WASHINGTON. March 21.-Maior E.
Barksdale. member OF Congress from
Mississippi. who, according 10 the testi-
mony taken by the Copiab-county sub-com-
mittee Of the Senate, made a speech at
Hazlehurst advising the Democrats to
carry Copiah county by the shotgun, II
necessary, and to hang Bullion. the Repub-
lican candidate. was before the sub-com-
mittee Of the Senate Committee on Priv
leges and Elections this morning, and
made a statement under oath in BIS own
vindication. He denied the charge in
toto. He SAID that the history Of Copiah
county had always been characterized
with the love Of law and order, and in the
events Of the last election there was nothing
inconsistent with that record. He made
two speeches in HaZlehurst on one day be-
fore the last electi0n-One in the afternoon
TO a procession OF country people on
horseback, and the other in the evening 10
the local Democratic club. He could not
remember whether the mounted men OF
the afternoon procession were armed Win
shO,-guns.
His attention was called to statements
OF witnesses about his speech, and ne pro-
nounced all the assertions that ne had en-
couraged violence false. He referred TO
the opinion OF Justice Miller, OF the SUI
preme Court, in the kukluX cases, that the
public liberties were a. much lmperllied
by the use Of money in elections IN the
North as by violence in the South, ana SAID
that the condition Of affairs resulting from
the presence Of large mass OF negro voters
was not properly understood.
Senator Hoar asked il in the witnesses
allusion TO peaceable and lava iding con-
duct Of the people of Copiah county be
included the killing Of Matthews:
Il have nothing to say in reference 10
that. That was personal dlfhculty De-
tween those two parties. II Is before the
courts there. and express no opinion.
"You have said that the people OF Co
Nah county stand high in general eharac-
Ter. and YOU have announced that there
was nothing in the conduct OF the election
inconsistent with their past history. NOW,
| wish TO ask whether, il it should turn
ont that this mounted crowd went about
IN the houses OF cOlored men, whipping
them. shooting one Of them, declaring as
thew did il that they did il 10 compel them
IA vote the Democratic ticket or compel
the negroes TO fee 10 the woods IN large
numbers, and that Matthews was snot De
cause Of his influence as q hepuohcaIl
leader. whether that would change your
mind as 10 the character OF the people
s.Well, now ! suppose the oblect OF your
inquiry has been accomplished by your
statement. You are yourself giving tesn-
mouy in the matter which you propouD9
70 me. | think that after the trlai OF
Wheeler for the killing Of Matthews, anG
the facts are brought 10 light, then VIII
answer the question"
Senator : ulsbury asked il il was right
and fair when person was likely 10 DC
placed upon trial for his life 10 ask VIII
ness OF Mr.. Barksdale's prominence 10 ex-
press an opinion upon the guilt or lnno-
cenee of the party, and 10 give an opinion
upon an entirely suppositious case, assunl-
ing that the facts should be so and SO! q,
Mr.. Hoar reioined that Mr.. Barksdale nso
testified in regard TO the character OF the
election; that the committee had evidence
which be supposed was Overwhelmingly
ia support OF lbe assumptions he hau
made. He. therefore, propounded the IN
auiry il witnesses opinion remained tne
same m view Of that testimony.
Addressing the witness, Senator boar
continued: "Did you read some resoiu-
tiong purporting TO have been passed aiter
the election AT public mectingf"
4. Yes. sir; have them here"
aWeii. now, may inquire whether you
approve or disapproye OF the resoiu'
tfonsf"
81 viii not answer that question further