The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1892-03-25
ARMING SOUTHERN NEGROES.
Northern Republicans Distributing Win
chesters at Cost,


chesters at Cost.
correspondence Chicago Times.
1t NAV not be generally known, but it
is a fact nevertheless, that the negroes in
several of the Southern States are being
provided with rifles at about cost price.
In Georgia, South Carolina and Florida,
many negroes can be seen with Winches-
ter rifles and the Times correspondent has
it from good authority that at least one
member of every negro family in Georgia
and Florida has rife always ready tor
action. 4 Northern man who has lived
here for some years said today that the
Democratic whites were fully alive to the
situation. Just previous to the last cleo
ton cases of Winchester rifles were
brought into the cities along the Atlantic
coast line and sold by an agent to the
negroes at bedrock prices. The rifles
came from the North. and business men
in that section are not doing business for
their health Even the Republican bust
ness men, with all their alleged love for
the negro, would not send an agent into the
South to sell rifles at cost.
When the Democratic whites-who
compose the solid business men of the
South, became aware that thousands of ig
norant and brutal negroes were being
armed by some organization in the North,
there was every precaution taken to meet
any emergency which might arise. The
fad" of carrying a rifle as a constant
companion is exceedingly popular with
the negroes, and it is 40 uHcQmmon thing
to meet i'm an hours walk several hurly
negroes staggering along with rifles and
weIl-6led cartridge belts
Al the rostohce this morning he Times
correspondent asked tsn OF these black
warriors if they were going hunting, and
received the information that they were
not. and furthermore, that they always
carried their rifles as they might need
them most any time" Varions circum-
stances point 10 the fact that the arming
of the negroes was iGstigatcd by Northern
Republicans. through the carpet-bag ele-
ments, which is still fostering sore on
the political anatomy in this State.
An old and respected citizen Of this
place denounccs in bitter terms the in
famous schemes of Northern Republicans
and carpot. baSgers to intimidate the white
citizens and mperi their hoges by arm
ing and encouraging outlawry IN sach an
element. "Not satisfied" said the citi-
zen, "with giving an ignor..nt and poverty
stricken race the power to vote to pro-
mote vicious Legislation in municipal as
we'll as State affairs, the Republican party.
through its bush whackiny clement, is
now endeavoring to incte race wnr with
Il view of establishing bayonet rule in the
South"
Ever since the Harrison administration
established its Royal Court at Washing
tom the fact has becn apparent that the
old methods Of bulllozing the Southern
Democrats would be carried forward with
energy and vindictiycness For the last
two wears the United States District court
here has been used Us the rack to torture
those unfortunate enough TO be active
Democrats. Hundreds Of good citizens
have been brought before this tribunal
and fined heavil upon some charge made
by some ignorant and vicious negro. A
Republican jury would be selected and ths
prisoner rairoaded through without re-
gard to Law or deeency. This court be-
came IN object Of fear and contempt, and
in some of its practices reminded one Of
the horrors of the days of the inquisition.
Several hundred indictments were on
file when fire some months ago Destroy
ed the records Of the yillainous proceed
ings Since that event comparative quiet
has reigned hcreabouts so far as that court
is concerned. However. ii has been as
serted that the change has been largely
brought about by al entirely different
kind of fire. Deputy United States Mar
shaIs found it rather unhealthy business
serving warrants based on trumped-up
and several Of them bound on
that mission were glad to resign their po
stions.