The Cadiz Democratic Sentinel

The Murderous Assault of Virginia Slaveholders upon the Unoffending Abolitionists of Ohio.

During the sitting of the Legislature of our State, we had a very great alarm about the capital here, from reports sent up that Ohio had been invaded by "border ruffians" from Virginia, and a murderous assault made upon unoffending and christian citizens of our State. The indignation was universal, and the denunciations long and bitter, and we do not know how much time of the Legislature was spent thereon, seeking vengeance for our wrongs.

The story was well got up, and looked as much like truth as a lie well could, and hence the large amount of indignation spent over the daring outrage. Now it is a pity that the whole story is spoiled. It is a pity, because when nice and decent men are tooled by the cry of "mad bull!" "mad bull!" and no mad bull appears, they are too apt to become disbelievers altogether, and when the bull does come, they are found right in the path of danger. We copy the following for the benefit of those members of the Legislature who cut such a glorious figure on the outrage last winter. They feel "flat as a pancake" or "as cheap as dirt," it is their own fault not ours.—Statesman.

[From the Cincinnati Commercial.]

The "Invasion" of Ohio by Virginians—The other side of the Story.

The Independent Republican, published at Point Pleasant, Virginia, has an article, in its issue of the 17th inst., under the head of "Border Ruffianism in Virginia" in which the editor states that he has been at Guyandotte; and taken pains to ascertaining the facts relative to the affair happening in that vicinity, about which so much has been said in the papers. The statement given in contradiction of the letter of Judge Picard, is as follows:

Opposite Guyandotte reside Colonel James Buffington, a farmer, and Mr. C. I. Proctor, a merchant. Early last winter a young man succeeded in escaping to the State of Ohio with several slaves, from Kentucky, and the Colonel prevailed upon him to take the slaves back to their masters. Proctor being an enemy to the Colonel tried to have him indicted by the Grand Jury of Lawrence county, as a kidnapper, but failed, yet succeeded in raising considerable excitement against the Colonel, and caused meetings to be held, with the purpose of getting up a mob. These meetings created a sensation on both sides of the river, and to one of them "some ten or a dozen persons, nearly all young boys, having a curiosity to hear what a rabid abolitionist would say went over." They were unarmed, heard a speech and departed for home. Most of them had reached their skiff, when the cry of "fight" was heard in the house where the meeting had been held, which proved to have been caused by an engagement between Buffington and Proctor, both citizens of Ohio. The Republican tells the story of that which followed thus:

Buffington was getting the advantage of Proctor in the fight, when one Rev. Mr. Adams and others rushed in to his rescue; this caused the brother of William Buffington, Dr. T. C. Buffington, and some Virginia friends, to interfere, and the fight become general. No weapons were used at all, at least by the Virginians. Proctor's friends were the first to resort to clubs and rails, which of course compelled the other party to do the same in self defence. Mr. William Buffington is a son of Col. Buffington, and had just returned home from Missouri, where he had been for some months previous, and happening to be present at the meeting, and hearing the abuse of his father, became considerably excited, as it would be natural enough for a son under the circumstances, and after the meeting called Proctor to an account for his base slander, and gave him a thrashing, as he richly deserved. Thus it will be seen that it was a personal matter altogether which led to the affray, and citizens of Virginia were unwittingly and unintentionally drawn into the melee.