The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-08-11
Prohibitlon or B,oodshed.

Jackson, Miss. Aug. 6.--Hinsis county, in
which is situated the capital of the State. is
conyulscd with excitement. growing out of
the election TO be held ON August 10 under
the local option law passed by the last Legis-
lature-
The blacks outnumher the whites two to
one, and the Prolibitionists, finding that
the bulk of them are going TO vote the .wet'
ticket, seem determined that they shall not
exercise that privilege. An-anti-P rolIibi-
ton meeting in the county last night was
resisted by a body of armed Prohibitionists.
who interrupted the speaker to such an ex-
tent, ~denouncing him as "a liar, &C.. that
the ~aieeting had to he adjourned. From soto
100 pisto, shots were fired in the dark as the
anti Prohibitionists left not with the inten-
ton Of hurting anyone. but doubtless to in
timidate the negroes and prevent their vot-
ing.
Thu Chairman OF the Prohibition Execu-
tive Committee to-day told the correspon-
dent that all the anti Prohibitionist meetings
would be resisted and a division of them
asked, and if that was refused. that his side
would speak anyway. If this policy is pur-
sued bloodsfied is expected.
To-day. but for the timely interference of
friends, the Deputy Sheriff. a Prohibitionist,
and the City Marshal. an anti would have
been shooting at each other on account of a
discussion of the breaking up of last nights
meeting.
VIcKsBuRc, Miss. Aug. THE Prohibit
ton campaign in Kinds county is growing
daily more ferocious, threatening serious
trouble and probably bloodshed. AT a meet
ing of Prohibitionists at Raymond, resolu-
tons Were passed charging the liquor party
with endeavoring TO carry the election by
appeals 10 the prejudices of negroes against
whites, and that il was against the interest
of the country that the black race, led By q
few white men should rule the connty. The
resolution says Looking alone 10 the in
terest of our county and both races inhabit-
ing il, we do in solemn Terrible earnestness
resolve to carry said election for the cause of
Prohibition. We hereby nnounce that we
will never stand idly by and see whiskey
voted on in this county by a few white, who
have espoused the cause of whiskey, and the
masses of misguided coloTed voters of said
county. We appeal to all classes of our citi-
zens both sexes to use every means in
their power to carry said election. The reso-
buttons are interpreted here to fo~reshadow Il
policy of violent intimidation. with probable
bloodshed. Heretofore the Prohibitionists
have striven To conciliate the negro vote,
building many hopes on it, but recent cleo
ions have demonstrated that the negro does
not favor prohibition. 4 majority of the
whites in Kinds county favor prohibition.
and nearly all are Democrats. AT Edwards
Station, where the liquor party have arrang-
ell 10 hold a meeting, the Prohibitioni>ts de
clare no meeting shall be held. Reliable men
in Vickshurg stated this morning that IA con
siderable quantity Of powder, buckshot and
fixed ammunition has been purchased here
for shipment to Kinds county.
The NeW H;SsiSSipiGn. Prohibition organ.
published in Kinds county, says c~ditorially
Z. the Raymond resolutions . There may
TIE SDiiit men VINO uphbtS tlldl the RESOLUTIONS
passed at Raymond mean all they express.
but no one would doubt them who was pres
enI and looked into the brave, resolute faces
of one hundred and fifty of the best, boldeSt.
most determined men who ever set foot ON
the soil of Kinds county. Every precinct
but one was represented, and every man
there left with u desperate determination
that these resolutions should be carried out
Moderate men regret 10 see such appeals to
passion. 1t is safe to predict that the propo-
sition will be ruined by the iutcmperance of
its advocates. Party lines are entirely disrc-
gsrded. Democrats and Republicans working
together ON either side. The liquor party
charge the Prohibiiionists with organizing a
band of night-riders Ia intimidaie negroes.
and with breaking up a meeting Wednesday
night by sending thirty armed men there,
among whom were some peace officers. and
a preacher. The Prohibitionists make coun-
ter charges.