New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-15
The Mob ut Acquia Creek.
OF IAt ". I. Tibnnk

To ne EC1Cr ~ me v. 4. IrtbhR<
SIR: In your issue of August You copy from
Tic Brssig9;oH an account of the late riot at Ac.
auia Creek in which is alleged that the colored Ia
borers OF the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
RAILROAD had for some time been laying pot 10 muir
Ter the white hands employed the same road, and
for this purpose had collected and secreted all
# deadly weapons which they cold procure and were
only prevented from carrying this fendsh purpose
by a finely warning given by one Of their number in
whom, strange TO say. humanity triumphed over fend'
ishness Now it is part of the programme of the
advocates Of Slavery to prove that the negro cannot be
safely ntrusted with freedom find all the papers in
the country both North and South that are edited in
that interest anxionsy graspng at every local item
which they think calculated 10 show the negro at a
disadvantage and to that his condition has been
greatly injured by comforting upon him freedom. But
ST in this they would only pursue a just and candid
course ard be careful fully investigate the truth ofthe
rumors afoat, in the of the AcQnia Creek
riot, they might be welcome TO the full force,
rument Of all the differences that conld be drawn from
such facts sorry say tina. this is not DONE and
In al these cases that have come TO my knowledge
they have incurred the guilt of bearing false testimony
against their neghbors. 1t is very easy to raise the
hue and cry against the poor negro; it ought 10 be
equally easy to tell the truth, and stand up manfaiy
against unworthy preudices when they operate to the
disadvantage of the weak and deienseless.
Now TO show you the animus Of the okirary q. l
propose give you true account Of this terrible dew
ls plot OF these Acquia Greek negroes taken from
he records OF rigid careful and scru.inzing invesl
cation and will only premise the statement with this
<em6rb that from q somewhat extended observation
san without hesitation that the negroes class
remarkable Cor quictuess order docty and respectful
conduct toward the whites; that they manifest
far greater disposition 10 be industrious and honest
ihan could have been reasonably expected IRON people
who have had 50 small amount OF intellectual aud
moral culture and who have been suddenly changed
from slaves into freedmen have scarcely met with
case in a large range Of observation Where difficulties
have occurred between the white and cOlored races
which the white man was not the sggressor and in
every case where white employers have manifested al
enlightened spirit of justice and liberaty toward their
rolored employees they have been Oh the part Of
the negro in corresponding spirit, and with the most
satisfactory results in the products OF their labors
Rave NOT doubt that in 9l00ths OF tho afrays riots
&C. which are being reported IA the Southern papers,
and others in the slave interest and in which the blame
is 81 saddlcd on the negro ii would he found as in
the present case upon fair invests CATION that the
proyocaton was given by tie white and that the
negro did nothing but what be might have been
reasonably expected TO do under the circumstances.
Now to the Acquia Greek affair: some colored and
white laborers were employed in the reconstruction o.
tho railroad 4 white boy named Terry provoked an
atercation with fellow aborer eoored man, by going
20 him and alleging that he was notdoing his work
-eht--a TACT which. II true did not al all concern
Terry, be being only hand. The negro said that he
Ans accustomed TO do such work and knew hat be
vas doing it right Terry then cursed him. and at
xnv,ed 20 wrench from his hand tie odge with which
ne was driving down the spikes The negro held On 70
.hc hammer. carsing Terry, and telling him 10 eoa~ty
sud let him alone. Terry then picked up s.sA crow
bar and drew II on the negro, swearing ioar he woud
kaoct his brains olt The negro, N turn grew DIS
hammer. and sworo that if Teriy struck Inn Ne
v~ud knock his brains or. The parties vese
,,cn separated ~ . vtfc tond. 1h' vas anon
Yoyy, o.. 10. r'..,. 5D!st -. 't'. |E'r AF'