New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-14
aTHE BLOODY SHIRT" AND IT'S ORIGIN
a PHRASE THAT MAY HAVE SPRUNG FROM AZ
INCIDENT IN SCOTTISH HISTORY.
70 the Edftor Of The Tribune.

! 70 the Edftor Of The Tribune.
! Sir short time since. my attention was a.
| tracted 20 an inquiry IN "1ho Louisville Courier
Journal as to the origin Of the popular phrase
/ " The Bloody Shirt" Tho answer given n the
query ascrbes II TO the recent period OF reconstruction
Contrary the prevailing belief this political weapon
was forged and effectively used long before any
differences had arisen between certain portions Of
our Union, and before in fact, Union Of States
existed. though 10 whom credit should be given Tor
/ It's dorsive application 10 tho Republican campaign
policy the writer is not advised
The incident which gave the expression birth
i, to some extent legendary, and IS related By Sir
Walter scott IN the pretaoe 10 HIS novel Rob Roy
and briefly Is as follows: Tho Clan Mac Giesor pos
se-sed lands and focks which excited the cuplty OF
! their les fortunate neiglbors Who by force AMI
other methods. gradually despoiled them 81 thc!r
property and drove them from their homes Tho
Clan, thus Impoverished, resisted the encroachm
upon thor rights, and in the frequent collisions that
occurred used every temporary advantage they gained
cruelty enough. Their conduct, which was perhaps
not unnatural under the circumstances, wac studl-
Ously represented at the capital a, arising from an
innate and untamajle fcrOcty, for which tho only
remedy was determination.
These suggestions resulted in the prescription Of
the Clan by act OF Privy Council AT Sterling and
permission was given certain powerful chicftains 20
pursue the Mac GicFors with fire and sword and
.
drink or shelter. As might be expected civilization
progressed very slowly during thi, period and the
Mac Greeors feeling all the SEVERITY OF the law AMI
none OF its protection. became wilder and moro law
less than ever As the legend runs. two men u
the Clan Mar Gregor, ovcrjakcn by night asked
shelter from a dependent Of the Colquhoun, and on
being refused, retired TO Clubhouse, seized a
wedier from tie fold, and suppcd fIugally OF the
carcass, for Which they offered payment. The LairI
Of Lu-s hearing Of this enforced ho,pifallty caused
the offenders TO be appr-Aeudel and simmarily exc
cuted.
To av,nso this act. the Mac Crccors assembled D.
tho number Of several hundred. and marched toward
LUIS. SIR Humphrey COQuhouu received carly notice
Of The raid, and assembled an army Of up'riOr mum
valley Of GlcufrIin Glen OF sorrow. where encOuI-
aged by The prophecy Of seer. AMI aid ii by Sill
pcrOr position ana s6ilful g'nrral,hip. the Mac
GrcyOrs victorious. pursuing tie enemy furOusly
and mercics,iy s!aughtsr,ng all who unable 10
escape.
Ti- battle and the fry Of the prescribed Clan
were reported to King James VI. in manner most
ufayOIable 10 that unfortunate Clan. and mon"
strongly 10 impress, that imIrcSsiOuable monarch
the widows Of the slain. o. the number Of eleven
score, r-scd IN mourning. riding white paifrcy-
and each bearing her husbands bloody shirt upon the
point of a spear. appeared before the King. Ste-
made their homes desOlate. BY act Of Privy Council
A. D., 1913, tho old acts against the Clan were
vivc1 and others Of the gUafest severity enacted
The bloody shirt lad unquestonably accomplished
it. purpose C. }. MCPHERSON.
Houston. Tex. oct. ., 1879