LEXINGTON AND YADKIN FLAG
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Lexington and Yadkin Flag, Lexington, NC:
THE SALEM MOB-- Sept. 7, 1855
An editorial of the North Carolina Standard of 29th ult., under the above head, aroused the citizens of the quiet old town of Salem, to quite a buzz of inquiry as to
what the editor meant. They were surprised to find an indictment for riots and mobs against the peaceable old town, that had for ninety years maintained an
exemplary character for peace and order. They supposed some wag had been quizzing the editor.
They had heard of certain official dignitaries, relatives of one self-styled Doctor Riddick, becoming much alarmed at the reduced majority of their party to
twenty-one, and growing beautifully less by the inroads of the American party, and trying to make some capital for their decaying cause, by getting up what they
were pleased to style, an indignation meeting, which was composed of between some 25 and 50 bitter partisans, whom they succeeded in getting together after
drumming and drafting their ranks throughout the county. The meeting was presided over by Allen Flynt, who appeared exceedingly anxious to get up a
sympathy to relieve his cousin Reddick, of the infamy he brought on himself, by violating his most sacred pledges and the faith and honor of a gentleman.
The citizens of Salem had also heard of one Major Joseph Masten, who assumes for himself the leadership of his party, and who, if purchased at his real
value, and sold again, at his own estimation, would be a great speculation to the seller.
The calumnies and slanders of these inalignant partisans, were considered harmless and unworthy of notice where their true characters are known, but at a
distance from home their recklessness of truth is calculated to deceive, and has actually misled the editor of the Standard.
Hence we deem it our duty to give single statement of the occurances characterized by the varacious correspondent of the Standard, as “riots”, “mobs”, & etc.
Mr. Riddick (for we protest against styling him doctor, and classing him with a worthy profession), came to Winston, as we learn, to procure certificates to
bolster up his blazed character, and took dinner there, but being noticed by no one, he soon felt disagreeably lonesome, and concluded he would move his
quarters, and accordingly in the evening came down to Zevely’s hotel, in Salem.
The people of Waughtown being anxious to make some demonstration in behalf of Col. Puryear’s re-election procured the Salem cannon which was carried to
Waughtown by a company of boys, (there being but four voters in the crown). When they were done firing, they returned with the cannon, and stopped in the
middle of the street, in front of Zevely’s and Butner’s hotels, and gave three cheers for Puryear. Discovering Riddick sitting on the porch, and not in his room, as
is falsely charged, they manifested their indignation, not on account of his withdrawal from the K.N.’s.....(illegible).....They then proceeded with the cannon,
making no attempt, as falsely charged, to assault, or use violence or threats on Riddick, nor to assail Zevely’s hotel any more than Butner’s on the opposite
side-- n or did Dr. Zevely, or any other man in his senses, so consider it. The charge of sending a spy, or any _____ to his room on such purpose, is a willful
falsehood.
[The next morning], the second diabolical mob... (paper torn)... tailor’s shop as Riddick was ...(paper torn)... his buggy. It was composed of (many) persons, a
young South Carolinian and two of Mr. Hughes’ workmen, who stood in the door and rang a tin bucket and a cow-bell to let him know they addressed such a
dishonest man with cows and dogs, which not infrequently....... They used no abusive or threatening language, as is falsely charged, nor said a word, neither did
they follow him, as is falsely charged.
The people of Salem knew nothing of these proceedings as is charged by the valiant Major Masten, A.J. Stafford & Co.; nor did any of them know anything of
the affair except those who were accidentally passing on the streets. It was only a unpremeditated spontaneous outburst of indignation on the part of a few boys
towards a man, whose baseness and treachery had sunk him so low, according to the statement of his particular friend Masten, as to excite the contempt of the
collored crowd.
This is the tempest in a tea-pot, of this law and order man, Major Masten, who some two years since justified the disturbance of a Whig mass meeting, while H.
W. Miller, Esq., was speaking, and who prosecuted and attempted to convict a worthy citizen for knocking over a disorderly fellow who was much chagrined
because a jury of the county had the honest and good sense to acquit the accused, despite the efforts of the valiant Major.
Who is this mighty Major Masten? It is true he went to Mexico, and may be, was the cause of Santa Anna’s surrender; and it may be that the weight of his
ponderous intellect, aided by the Pope can pull down kingdoms, rule the public sentiment of a country, whose existence in his own estimation depends on his fiat.
Yet, Mr. Major Masten, with all your self-importance and omnipotence of power, the town of Salem is still in existence--pursuing the quiet even tenor of her
ways. The same number of persons visit her, the same trade and business is transacted with the surrounding country, and the school still continues to flourish,
notwithstanding the solemn warning of the redoubtable Major and his corporals --- “To the public in general -- to parents, guardians and traders in particular to
beware of her.”
Who has the audacity to say, that the valiant Major has not immortalized himself in making the discover, that the safety and morals of the people, are
endangered by intercourse with Salem.
“An ass in Balam’s sad disaster
Turned orator and saved his master
A goose placed sentry on her station
Saved old Rome from desolation”
Who shall not say that the valiant Major JOSEPH MASTEN shall not go down to posterity, on record with the Roman goose and Balam’s ass.