The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-11-08
Fhrst Anniversary of tho DEMONSTRATION
PrOclamafiOn in Charlesfan

First Anniversary of tho DEMONSTRATION
Proclamation i'm Charleston.
A correspondent of the New York Times
furnishes the following account of the celebra-
ton Of the first anniversary of President Lin
coins Emancipation Proclamation, by the col
ored people of Charleston, s. c., Col. Stewart
L. .Woodford, conspicuously mentioned in the
account, has just been elected Lieutenant Gov.
ernor of New York: -,gs5s... =,
cannot dismiss this portion of my narrative
without alluding briefly to the remarkable sue
cess that attended Col. WIS Military Governor
ship at Charleston. The city was infested
with Rebel desperadoes many Of them desert
ers from Johnstons army, and the iaw-abiding
citizens were constantly inundated and an
moved by these ruffians who hesitated at no
crime, and sought the murder of unofending
colored people. Complaints were made, and
without the roundabout, red-tape style OF exc
cutting military matters, COL w. took q
straight course, Furnishing summarily
every convicted offender, white or black, un-
til lawlessness of every kind was completely
suppressed within the limits of the city, giving
peace and security to all who dwelt beneath
the American flag As an instance of his te-
nacity of purpose and determination to admin
lister impartial justice to all, remember. on
one occasion, the colored people desired to eel
citrate the anniversary of President Lincoln's
emancipation Proclamation. The programme
OF amusements included monster procession
in which upward Of eight thousand colored
people were to participate with banners and
music. The Rebel citizens on learning this
were terribly alarmed, and, pale with fear held
secret councils in their houses and resolved at
once to appoint Committee to wait upon
COL Woodford, and bear with them protest
against such demonstration, signed by near
ly all the influential citizens. The Committee
we're received with the usual courtesy; the
Governor listening patiently and calmly to
their imaginary grievances for which they
sought redress; until finally, when the Colonel
with great urbanity replied e
"Gentlemen, 1 have no authority vested in
me TO prevent this innocent demonstration on
the part of the colored people, and I assure
you there will be no disturbance occasioned
Dy TINS harmless parade of nnarmed people"
But, Colonel" replied one of the citizens. "if
you allow these niggers to march through our
streets, there will be bloodshed and anarchy
for you don't know the temper of our peopie
and the character of these niggers as well as
we do, or else you could hardly hear our story
so placidly." f- iaH' 81 ) -
II decline to grant your request, gentlemen:
and my advice is for you to return at once and
notify your neighbors that the freedmen will
be permitted to parade tomorrow in this city.
and also that they will be amply protected by
loyal payonets IN the exercise OF their rights as
treemen. If any blood is shed, it will not be
by the colored people, unless they are ASSAULT
ed and, If attacked, you may be sure such or
ders will be given for the punishment of their
assailants as will cause blood to flow. This
procession will be strong test of the good or
der OF your citizens, and it is an experiment
that will guide me in any future discipline of
this city. would recommend all well-dispos-
ed people to refrain from any riotous conduct
ON the morrow, and let these peaceable colored
people enjoy their celebration without disturb
ance." 90. n $3.50 - = 80.
Horror-stricken at the apparent imperturba-
bility of the Governors mind, the citizens sui
lenly Withdrew. The next day, 10000 colored
people marched through the streets of Charles
ton bearing the Stars and Stripes and hundreds
OF banners with appropriate notices inscribed
thereon, bands of music playing the airs of free
dom, and in the line coffin was borne labeled
SLAVERY, while two fne-looking mulatto wo-
men walked in the procession chained togeth-
or, with a colored man in their rear uplifting
cruel lash, the scene representing the horror of
Slavery. Notwithstanding the festivities con-
tinued all day, there was not the slightest dis
turbance; but, had the rebels attempted to mo-
lest the procession, Cel. w. had SO deployed his
guards that rebel blood would flow. Having
established perfect order at Charleston, Major
Gen. Gilmore was SO delighted with his success IS
that he appointed hina his chief of staff: and
for the faithful discharge of his onerous duties
and meritoriOus conduct in the field, Col. w.
was made Brevet-Brigadier General