Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-14

orally to see thas evenhanded and impartial
Justice is done to them in every respect .
The testimony before the grand Jury is
also published. n. Q. SSETHEN, the Gov
errors private secretary, in his testimony
said: Il observed a parcel of blacks with a
United States flag and two drums. They
came in front of the Institute; the crowd Of
colored persons that had gone from the front
of the Institute returning with them, they
halted in front of the building. and were
hailed with loud cheers by their comrades,
who occupied the street in front of the Insti-
tute. Apparent quiet then ensued for a
quarter or half an hour. Some person look
ing out Of the window of my Office said that
some person Is making a speech. l joined
those at the window and saw negro stand
ingon the side Of the banquette next to the
building, with his face to the crowd, in the
act of addressing them. j could not hear
what he said. Some one in my Office, near
er than myself, remarked: THAT is a sen
sible old negro. He is giving themgood ad-
vice; he tells them to go home"
went to my desk and wasshortly aroused
by hearing a connection outside. ! went to
the window and saw a man, reported to be
a policeman, who had hold of a person by
the coat collar, who looked to me TO be a
white man. The colored crowd was making
toward the policeman, greatly excited and
crying "Kill him." Take him away" "Let
him CO." etc.
When the police officer with his prisoner
got opposite the new structure between Ca
nal street and the Institute, observed
several negroes pick up bricks and throw
them in the direction of the policeman and
his prisoner; also observed a colored man
with drawn pistol, long bright barrel, fire
in the direction of Canal street, which shot
was Immediately answered by the crowd as
sembled at the corner. This was the first
shooting near the Institute. / had pre-
viously heard one shot on Canal street at the
time of the melee previously alluded to.
The testimony of boy gives more truth
full account of the riot than any yet pub
Iished
Oscar Paincelin sworn-I am a messenger
the Governors Office. On the Both ult,.
a large crowd of negroes assembled about
the Institute. About twelve o'clock a pro-
cession of negroes came up from Burgundy
street with music and flags. Many were
armed with sticks. While the procession
was crossing Canal street shot was fired
by whom / do not know. The roll was
beaten and the negroes rallied and marched
to the Institute. All was quiet for awhile.
/ afterwards noticed young white man
strike negro with rock, or brickbat. The
police came up and arrested and dragged the
young man away. The negroes followed,
crying hang the white s-n of b-hP
Kill him p They followed the policemen
on the banquette, and struck at the boy or
policemen. One negro drew a revolver and
fired several shots at the policemen and the
boy or young man. Six or seven other ne
groes pulled out pistols and fired in the
same direction. The firing then became
general on both sides. l noticed one negro
behind a column opposite firing at the po-
licemen. Officer HEARD came up and ar
rested him.
The first negro saw fall was an old negro
on the opposite side of the street to where
was. The negroes then fell back to Com
mon street, some going into the Institute.
The negro endeavored to rally his comrades
to advance against the policemen. Shoot
ing then commenced from the interior of the
Institute, and from the street into the build
ing. come persons in the Office where l was
attempted to get out, but were fired upon by
persons from the interior. The police made
many arrests, and as soon as arrested, they
protected the prisoners, as we'll as they could.
from the attacks of others. This was done
as far as l know, in every instance.
A cry of ''they have surrendered" was
heard, and the police entered the building,
but were fred upon from upstairs, when
they retreated. got out, and remained in
the neighborhood until the police got pos
session of the hall.
Among others, the police protected JUDD
r. F. DANNY and w. r. Fish, members of
the Convention.
About IL o'clock in the morning, a short,
thickset man man addressed the negroes in
French in the vestibule, and said:
GENTLEMEN: l depend on you to keep
this place Do not begin first; let them
commence. Above all, seek for the sons Of
rebels Kill without pity-spare no one"
A negre cried to the people in the street:
'If any son of b@h has anything to
say against DosTIE, let him come forward"
At the time, was standing at a window,
with f. TRENCHARD, ALFRED SHAW, and
DR.. HIRE. SHAW and HIRE said bully"
The reporters of the New York Tribune
and Cincinnati Commercial clapped their
hands and said "bully for the negro"