Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1884-02-28
HON EST DEMOCkACY.

The Chicago Herald is recognized and
quoted as Democratic Journal although
it processes to be independent. 1t shows
a fairness of statement in regard to the
investigation of southern outrages that
shows it has independence enough to tell
the truth. 1t says:
If the testimony of witnesses heard
thus far Is reliable the COpiah County
OutrageS in November last were certi in
ly indefensible. WhaI new phase shall
be put upon the case by witnesses on the
other side remains to be seen. However
much one may deprecate any effort to
magnify such things for party effect or
to fire the heart of seetiOnalism for par
ty ends. the fact remains that such out
RACES as the murder Of Matthew's
at the polls and the driving of the ne
groes to the woods to keep them from
voting are Offenses that ought to DO
most severely punished. The SituatiOn
with reference to the negroes may be
exaggerated. Every body knows how
prone the negro mind is to magnify its
terror and perhaps lie about til, M bef' r ;
AN investigating committee, but the
murder OF Matthews seems to have been
a heartless and blOOded crime, for
which there is.nO extenuating circum-
stance. Matthews WAS respectable
citizen of Copiah County. He was a
leader of the Republicans, or Indepen-
dents, as they call themselves. 1t is
alleged that he Was warned to give up
the leadership, abstain from politics and
refrain from voting under penalty of
death. That act in itself was an out
rage that should have brought swift
punishment to his threateners. Election
day came. Undeterred by the threats
he went to the polls. He was there when
the polls opened. He met Wheeler. who
was his friend. though a political enemy.
He and Wheeler were requested to vote
and then act as challengers. Wheeler
was armed with shot gun, which stood
near him in the polling booth. He and
Matthews shock hands aid chatted pleas.
antly for moment, when Matthews
said they might as well vote and take
their places as challepgers. Matthews
put his ballot in the box, and the next
instant Wheeler raised his gun and shot
the unarmed man dead Ibis own friend,
without word of quarrel or anything
shot him down where he stood.
This tale seems too horrible to be ac-
cepted as true, but the witnesses thus
far heard all tell their story with clear
ness, and the allegations of fact are not
yet disputed save in one respect. IL is
claimed by Wheeler's friends that Mat
thews had pistol. IL he had, it does
not relieve the murder of its horror, for
it was not claimed that he was trying to
use It. The crime was simply perpetra
ted to make good the threat of the ruff
fans, that If Matthews vote he would be
killed, and to the eternal disgrace of
Mississippi, her officials made no effort
to punish the murderer. They did not
even arrest him. They did elect MIN to
office ssOn after, and so cOndOned his
awful crime.
1t is difficult to see what senatorial
investigating committee can do to secure
punishment for the perpetratOr of this
atrOcity or to redress the wrong in any
way, but IL upon full and calm view the
facts warrant it can hold up the COM
munity which applauded and cOndOned
the Offsnse to the seOrn and contempt of
all mankind, and respectable men Of all
parties will IejOice when it Is done.
This comment is based upon the evil
dence thus far presented. Rebuttal is
yet to be heard.