The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-08-16

ice Aolcc 10 preserve peace anu pre-
vent all possible attempt to bring about
collision. This suggestion met tho
N approval of the General, who then
!. stated that he would give immediate
!. orders TO have the troops in readiness.
Before the end of this interview It
I WAS again agreed upon between Gen.
Baird and the Lieutenant Governor
, that whatever warran. of arrest might
be placed in the hands of the Sheriff
would be submitted TO him before any
attempt to have it executed and that
upon the Endorsement of the Generals
objections the matter would be referred
to the President
The Mayor being informed of this
arrangement, sent but small police
force to the vicinity of the hall, and
the troops that were to act in coniunc-
ton with the police were eagerly ex-
pected.
Atnoon, information having reach
ed the Lieutenant Governor that in
the Third District there was COM
mencement of efIervescence, and that
large numbers of negroes We're COM
ing towards Canal street, from above
and below, he Immediately sent a dis
patch to the General, conveying the
intelligence, and urging that the
troops be sent without delay. About
one hour afterwards the riot broke
out, ending in the dispersion of the
Convention, the capture of the rioters,
including several members of that
body.
1t is not our purpose to argue the
question offact as to the actual com.
mencement of the collision, and to fix
precisely the mode and manner
in which it originated. We will, how
ever, remark that the collision was in
every instance brought about by the
armed mob sustaining the Conven-
ton. Suffice it to say that the civil
authorities took all the precaution
possible to prevent the outbreak; that
they applied during three days previ-
Gus TO have the aid of the military TO
preserve order at the place where was
to meet the Convention; that the an- 4
thorities, State and Municipal, had
come to an understanding to act in con-
cert with the military for that purpose;
that the citizens, no more than the po-
lice, contemplated to prevent the Con-
vention to hold their meeting peace
ably and adjourn and dispense unmo-
Tested and that the warrant for their
arrest would have been submitted to
the military, as agreed upon, although
abe Presidents dispatch to the Lieut.
Governor, and the subsequent one to
the Attorney General, were impera-
tive that the military must sustain
and not thwart the Courts.
The military authorizes had been
for tie three days previous to the riot
in constant communication with the
Attorney General, the Lieut.. Governor
and the Mayor, with the view of pre-
venting the impending riot The eff
forts were unsuccessful, and could not
the effects of the incendiary
and appeals of those who,
Tor sinister purposes, had had in view
his very result in order to reach a 20
itical harvest That the civil author
ties have done their duty in this re-
Ipect, is patent-that more could have
leen done by them was impossible, as
hey were not allowed to remove the
,ause of the riot by taking the proper
means to prevent the meeting of the
Convention; and we doubt not for a
moment that the military commander
himself will be the first to corroborate
hese facts, and to arrest all calumni-
'us imputation against the conduct of
ur people under these trying circum-
tances.
As regards the proclamation of mar
lal law, the least that can be said is
hat it was inopportune; for the riot
lg had ceased completely, the police
eing master of the situation. The
olored population, as body. did not
anticipate in these disgraceful scenes,
nd freedmen in the vicinity of the
lot were standing as lockers on, with
ut being molested. The colored mob,
! unison with few white rioters, who
ere leading them in this affair, were
o doubt well organized.
That they were well armed is un-
Quilted, since forty-two policemen
nd several citizens were either killed
r wounded by them, although the
Onfict was over in less than two hours.
wenty-seven rioters we're killed and
considerable number wounded At
ark, when all was over, when those
the mob were either dispersed or
prison, and tranquility and order
ere restored, martial law was pro-
aimed, and the prisons where the
oters were confined, emptied by or
ers from headquarters. These mea-
Tres undoubtedly were not intended
'r reviving the hopes of the outlaws;
ut were they not calculated to inspire
lem with false hopes? The very
ext morning the organ of the agita-
'rs was issued, containing, as usual,
re most infammatory articles, and
} the succeeding issues.
Had the military on Monday after.
BON taken a stand to co-operSte with
Ie civil authorities instead of pro.
aiming martial law, the most bene-
sial effects would have been the
suit.
We remain, very respectfully,