Year: 1861

THE GOLDSBOROUGH OUTRAGE.


Mr.. EDITOR: Ny attention, has been called to an
art ice in the Goldsborough Tribune Of the 20eh Civ
inc some extracts from an editorial in the Banner of
the 18th Inst, relative tosthe outrage perpetrated
upon me by mob, under the garb of /" Vigilance
Go, nmittee at Goldsborough on the 10th inst The
Editor of the 1Il6pne says: - -. ~ ,s.,.....


For our own part We know nothing Of the Incl
den IS referred TO- from reliable information that
the gentleman alluded to, did, on his departure,
when on the cars declare that he an aboltionist
tha he had written to Lincoln" &c. g.


Mark now, the charge is that this was said by the
!, "g entleman alluded to, on his departure ulils on
tie cars" How then could this have then made
pre- text for the outrageous assault made upon me
under the Depot shed st Goldsborough? But the
Ed itor further says: - =. ...-l 90. :


1.-The committee doubtless did no more than their
duty in relation to the suppression Of conversation
calculated to ncite insurrection, and disturb the
public peace" Is .... 80.


But then, according to the Editors own showing,
by s.reliabe information this conversation, which
wa. (even if true) the head and front of my offend
ing, fand which is the only ground classification
he attempts to make for the committee took place
on my departure, while on the cars" Was ever
more barefaced Misrepresentation made and publish
ed against any man, to justify the commission of
such outrage as was perpetrated upon me on that
occasion? According to the evidence of the Editor
of tae Tribune upon reliable information the
ton of the mob, in charging me with abolitonism
and requiring me to leave, took place before the
conversation which he says was calculated "to
cite insurrection and upon which he seems to res.
the justification of the COMMITTEE" Now there is
manifest attempt to beg the question right here
for there is foregone determination to sustain the
mob on the part of the Tribune and the cause for
the action of that mob is sought in what is stated
falsely to have occurred after the action of the mob!
Isay stated talsely for the charge that avowed
being an aboltionist is untrue in whole and in part


The facts in regard to the reliable information are
simply these: While on the cars was denouncng
the charge of entertaining abolition sentiments as
had previously done under the Depot shed when the
mob first attacked me. I was not addressing the
mob, who were kissing and taunting me, as though
I they had obtained triumph over robber or mur-
derer; but was speaking with some gentlemen on
the cars who were standing near me, and who d1d,
think, understand me correctly. And to show
how reliable the Information of the Editor was,
mention the fact that the noise and confusion
great that man standing ten feet from me misun-
derstood what said, but when he got on the cars
he was set right The gentlemen on the cars heard
me sneering at the idea of my being charged with
aboltonisnl, or of favoring abolition doctrines in
any shape or form; for my sentiments have always
been the reverse, and always will be.


told the mob that first attacked me under the
depot shed, that had written to Mr.. Lincoln soon
after his election, upon matter of busness-that
was a free citizen and had equal rights with any
other citizen of North Carolina had gone to
| Goldsboro' on my own lawful business and that
had not done anything either in word or deed to
| Justify such outrageous and humiliating assault
upon me. But was told that could not argue the
case, and that must leare, and not be seen there
| again. or would suffer the consequences! I was
compelled therefore to make sacrifice of portion
of my fish that had for SALE and to leave immediate
| ly on the cars.


These are the facts; and if the Editor of the Ti.
bune desires to mete out simple justice to loyal
citizen of North Carolina, the opportunity is afford
1 ed him to do so il the same manner that he gave
publicity to his error, into which perhaps he was
led by some designing man or men. The persons
composing the vigilance Committee" can retrieve
the character of men actuated by sense of justice
and honor, by confessing their error and disclosing
the names of their informants Outraged justice de-
mands such course; and the peace and safety of
/ the community demand it, for if peaceabe citizens,
who have ever shown their devotion to the best in
terests of their section and their State are to be
waited upon by "Vigilance Committees" with no
more evidence of their guilt than that uttered by
foul.mouthed slander, then indeed the "reign Of
terror" has commenced and virtue lies at the mercy
of vice!


But where can a parallel be found for the action
of this Goldsboro "Committee," for which action
even the most reliable information could find no
sufficient cause except conversation on the cars
after the victim had Departed and after the outrage
of the mob had been perpetrated. shame, where


is thy blush! Yours truly,
i. W. W. GUESS.
Morehead City, N. G.