Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-11-07


stand company of the newly aedged
voters was drilling for service early this
morning. What this demonstration
under arms is intended for we are unable
to say, unless II is intended to intimiiate
the whites. If that is its purpose, the
fears Of the white Radicals exceed the
danger they apprehended. Bless your
lawless Radical souls, the white people
here don't mean TO fight you, nor disturb
your proceedings at all They intend to
leave you to be soundly thrashed out in
the North, as you will soon be in your
own homes.
From the Savannah Republican,
On Monday evening the country voters
com mmenced pouring into the city, and
ere the night had far advanced an i'm
mense body had arrived. AT dsybreak
Yesterday every avenue leading to the
city was filled with colored men, all
making their way hither to deposit the
precious ballot Trudging along on
| foot, mounted on antiquated mules,
seated on rickety carts, they came from
all parts of the country South Caroline
contributed her quota, and boat loads of
Georgia (2) voters were ferrled to this
side Of the river, who came to help swell
the msjority. Thousands of country
negroes have come into the city; hun
dreds wers wandering around last night,
having no place to lay their heads, away
from home and friends, suffering every
thing to perform the act which they
think is to enrich them Poor, mis-
guided men victims of designing white
and black men, who have played upon
their credulity and ignorance for the
purpose of obtaining power and position,
and who care nothing for their tools after
their object is accomplished.
The cotton fields and plantations are
depopulated. All work is at a stand
still By the orders Of the military com
mander, at the critical time when their
labor is most needed to gather what is
left of the crops on which SO much is
dependent, they are taken away for
three days, and many will not get back
for week; their labor is lost, and the
rice and cotton going fast to destruction.
At seven o'clock yesterday morning
the polls were opened, and then was
witnessed for the first time in the history
of the State of Georgia, black men exer-
cising the greatest privilege of citizen
ship. 0fevery hue and shade they came,
and deposited the ticket which had been
given them. At daylight there was an
immense crowd in front Of the court
house, and when the doors were thrown
open there were probably some three or
four thousand present. 1t was an eager
and excited crowd. Such a rush as was
made at the opening of the doors was
indescribabe They pushed and jostled
and showed one another in the scramble
to reach the goal of their hopes. They
conversed with and advised each other.
They scratched names which were on
their tickets and inserted others. 1t was
gala day to the blacks.
About half.past o'clock great body
of men came in from the 0geechee with
sticks in their hands and tickets in their
pockets, and made large addition TO the
crowd already gathered.
No whites mingled with the crowd or
appeared there to vote. A few stood in
the square and looked on, and what their
feelings were may be imagined. 1t was
very CALLING to those who once were free,
and proud of their native State, to see
her under the foot Of their former slaves.
Such measures will never reconstruct the
South, nor promote good feeling toward
the North. They only produce a sullen
stubbornness, which will be handed down
from generation to generation. Igno-
rance rules the hour.
One squad of police was kept upon the
ground, who had nothing to do, however,
as good order was preserved during the
day. The remainder of the force was
kept in reserve at the barracks, while
heavy reserve of detailed citizens was
held in readiness to be used if needed.
A we'll known planter in South Caro-
lima came over with a list of his hired
freedmen, who, he said, had all come
over to vote. It was handed to member
of the board that their votes might be
stopped, but we do not know that any
action was taken with regard to it.
Hundreds of Carolina freedmen have
voted, and many more will probably do
so.
SO far as we could ascertain not more
than four or five ballots we're deposited
for the white candidates.
1t appears that mulatto man, OPP
posed to Bradley, had stationed himself
on the road to the 0gsechee, and had
scratched Bradley's name from number
of the tickets in the hands of persons |
coming in. About nine o'clock he ap |
peared in front of the Court House with |
about fifty followers. There was some
little excitement and signs of row, but
there was nothing done to disturb the |
peace. Many of those present seemed to
consider that he had committed the "un-
pardonable SIM" Some wanted to hang
him, others to give him a whipping; |
while still others declared that man
who would cross of Mr.. Bradleys name
ought to be arrested by the police and
locked up in the barracks
This ticket swept the field. Nearly all
the votes cast were for it. A few con.
tanned Eden name, others that of Stone.
One white man came up and voted the
Bradley ticket As the notoriety would
only please him too well, we will not give
his name.
While the colored population we're full
of Joy, and manifested the greatest inte-
rest, the whites we're apathetic, and the
sight filled them with sorrow, and they
mourned their lost liberties.
Some amusing scenes occurred during
the day. One negro presented himself
at the polls, and on being asked his name,
gave John Smith. Finding that it was
not readily adapted to hin, he said,
I" No, dat not it-John Brown" Then
he had again made mistake,
he exclaimed" Declar to God | forgot;
I'll run and find out, aud away be went
10 learn from the person who was with
him at the time what name he registered.
Another venerable darky calculated
he cost Said he. Great God 1 paid