The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-08-01
Negro Riot In Richmond.

NEDNEoDA1 MORNlNG, AUGUST l, 1866.
Negro Riot In Richmond.
(From the Richmond Times, July SOL
On Friday night last tho very heart OF our city
was invaded by an organized band Of insoient and
mpudent negroes, who made the night hideous
officers, and tho tramp OF many hundred feet
1hese wretches were armed, we learned, with
'sabres and pistols, and their drill was that of
soldiers preparing for speedy and bloody conflict
such spectacle naturally aroused the indigna-
ton Of the citizens Of Richmond, but they exhibit
cd praisew6rthy forbearance in not putting these
FEectiOns against their patrons and employees. s@
NOR was this, wo learn, the first instance Of the
appearance OF these pioneers of future war of
races, On the hills around this city, and in it's
suburbs, the tramp Of negro military companies
can be heard every night, and the rattle OF sabres
disturbs the sleep Of our women and children.
An this, together with the atrocious teachings'
OF few vile and demoraized white men in our
mldSt, clearly foreshadows serious disturbances
and boodshcd in the future. Ii these exhibitions
OF negro pugnaeity are not encouraged, they are
treedmen's Bureau. A word from the mon who
are are paid to maintain friendly rotations between
the races rae would stop these monstrous exhibitions,
ana yet that word is not uttered
AS nothing Whatever has been done by tho mill
tary authorities to put end to what must
inevitably lead to strife, steps must at once be
taken by our citizens to do what the hired servants
or the Government havo utterly failed to do. In
our calm and deliberate opinion, the time has
i
streets OF this city (and the city is the property OF
white mem must be stopped at all hazards.
phe The a. able vlgIlant and indefatigabe ohief of
demonstrations, but it ia very strange that he is
not authorized to suppress all such preparations
for bloodshed. The apparent indifference of the
Common Council to these negro drills on the
streets is arousing feeling OF surprise and anger
among our best citizens.
anxious that these offensive exhibitions OF negro
trucuence and insolence shall be suppressed by
the proper authorities but it is the duty Of every
the exhibitions Of last Friday night It is dis
grace to our manhood that our wives and children
should be disturbed by the noise and clamor OF
It must be recolleoted that these negro drills
nave not been provoked, nor can they be justified
oy any Ill treatment which the negroes have re-
ceived from the whites, nor by any correspondine
tor war upon the part Of their late
organization. The negroes OF this city have been
treated with wonderful kindness and consideration
by their late masters and If not grateful for our
kindness they are very base ingrates.
The white citizens Of Richmond are the owners |
OF nearly all OF the real estate in Richmond, and
many who are connected with these military or |
ganizations. Surely when any respectable white |
man nnds that negro whom he shelters or en-
Ploysls connected with one Of these military COM
panies which make our streets hideous at night |
he should get rid of him.
4. We have earnestly and repeatedly advocated |
freedman, but these nightly drills and prepara- |
tions In our streets for the irrepressble conflict"
must mus not be permitted. No where would a con- |
nlct with the white race result more terribly to
the poor, deluded and misguided negro than in
Virginia, but il his white advisors have decided
that he is to commit acts Of lawess violence. and
jeopardize the safety Of his best friends, the
sooner the issue is met the better for the whites
1t is one in which the present generation OF train
upon us.
:. We urge temperate, but firm and immediate ac-
ton ton upon the subject of these negro drills. The
zens of Richmond should at once wait upon Gems.
Terry and Brown and ascertain whothor thoeo
military organizations among the negroes meet
heard Of the uniform course of Gen. Terry, since
ne was placed In command Of this Department., we |
tory from such an interview. Those who read this
officers most extraordinary testimony before the
Reconstruction Committee, will agree with us that
his prejudices against us are Of the most violent
and unprovoked character. But, preliminary to
further action the authorities should at once seek
an interview with this official, as well as the indi-
Vidual IN charge of the Freedmens Bureau at this
place. The interview should, if possible be cour-
teous and respectful, and the committee should be
citizens.
:. AS Generals Terry and Brown are men of intel
igence they cannot fail to see that the reproach
and odium Of these insolent negro demonstra-
tions must be visited upon their heads. They are
here for the express purpose ofpreservng order
and maintaining kindly relations between the
races. are they faithfully performing their du-
ties as conservators Of the peace toeratipe ne
gro military organizations when the whites are
disarmed, and in no way interfering with the
blacks Do they suppose that upon fair repre-
sentaton Of this just cause of plant that Pres
1dent johnson will sustain them in permitting the
streets Of Richmond to resound each night with
the cank OF negro arms aud the tramp OF negro
soldiers2 They little understand the President II
they suppose that he will tolerate this apparent
preparation ofthe negro for insurrecton and re-
volt under the eyes Of the very men whose duty it
ts to repress all such demonstrations