Underwood's Fears of Assassination

Judge Underwood fears his assassination, and Southerners believe he is feeling guilty for his opposition to former Confederates and harsh treatment of Jefferson Davis.

We can imagine nothing more ludicrous than Underwood's fears of assassination, and the consequent rumors growing out of his weakness in this respect. His fears, or those of his friends, have even designated the assassin, namely, Dr. Maddux, of this city. " The thief sees an officer in every hush," and the guilty Underwood sees an avenger of wrongs in every Confederate. We might undertake to quiet his apprehensions, for we are sure that he is safe from harm. He is looked upon with contempt, not with hatred. No one values his opinions or wishes, or even so much as holds him responsible for his silly twaddle upon the bench. He reminds us of a demented man we saw in Washington years ago who constantly labored under the idea that Louis Napoleon and the Emperor of Russia were anxiously searching the world over to find him. When these potentates catch and hang the Washington lunatic, the Alexandria booby may begin to tremble.

“Underwood's Fears of Assassination,” Reconstructing Virginia, accessed June 1, 2023, https://reconstructingvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/223.