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as long as it is against the negro will be believed by a rebel This ill feeling is greatest in Charlestown, a place containing perhaps fifteen hundred people with but 43 votes The standard bearers of the radical party in this place are unworthy of the position, as they can neither make themselves respected or feared, they hold all the offices and are afraid to execute the law The constable of the town comes down to me on the eve of Election for troops to protect the voters at the Polls. A Justice of the Peace fears a riotous demonstration in case he should attempt to arrest a white man on the complaint of a negro, and assures one that only an armed force can prevent him from being mobbed This is all bosh! and proceeds from want of courage and firmness. I have informed him that if a colored man makes a complaint before him he must entertain and act on it, that I will be present, and if there is any obstruction thrown in the way of the execution of the law the guilty parties will surely suffer. I urged him to grasp the first opportunity to establish the truth of these facts, but until it actually occurred I could do nothing. This has reference to criminal and not civil suits You see how annoying this all is Here are men belonging to the party that is pledged to assist the colored man in obtaining his rights and yet are awed and cowed by a few rebel threats. My position would indeed be an enviable one were these men possessed of the necessary courage to act, but they "can do nothing unless surrounded by troops" The great radical party is unfortunate indeed in having such representatives when the best, the purest, & most courageous men are needed. However, I think I have this matter under control a few disturbances at Charlestown have occurred, but barring the deepseated, long-winded, everlasting, hate for the Government and the Yankee, the respectable citizens of the place are opposed to disturbing the colored man in his rights, "if he is let alone" The charges are continually rung on this, "Set him alone and he'll do well enough" This is a great deal true, and I am sorry to say that the Constable of the place by his imprudent mingling with the colored people, which is entirely unnecessary has brought upon himself and others many remarks highly uncomplimentary to them, as might be imagined. The enclosed relates also to the same matter and is cut from the Virginia Free Press, the Editor of which promised me he would do all in his power to put down the rowdy element which has of late been annoying and