The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-07-18
THE RIOT III FRANKLIN, TENN
a bloody Affair.
From the Nashville Union, July ..

y.
The most intense excitement prevailed
in this city through out Sunday, rumors
having gained circulation that a bloody
riot hAa occurred G.: Tie PIE ious night at
Franklin, a small city s miles south Of
this place, on the Nashville and Decatur
railroad. the scene Of the memorable battle
Of Franklin.
i was well understood mere that rad
ical meeting had been held at Franklin on
Saturday, and from this it was generally
supposed the riot had grown The facts,
however, show 4 somewhat different case
y radical meeting had been called at that
place, and at | O'Clock in the afternoon a
crowd of about 300 blacks and whites,
many Of them armed, had assembled at
the courthouse, where the speaking was
% be done, Abe Smith. a co!orcd man en-
l'yed at the capitol, introduced d. NJ
McFail, radical candidate for representa-
tive of Williamson county in the lower
house of the general assembly, who was
followed by w Y. Elliott, candidate for
S,ate Senator. Elliott spoke abont an hour
and half, when John Trimble. one OF the
radical nominees for Cor @ress III jhis (the
ilthl district tCot the stand and made the
last speech, occupying two hours, aud the
meeting quietly broke up at ) o'clock <
The drums flies and banners were laid up
III the courthouse, and portion of the
crowd moved homcwa~d.
General good feeling appeared to pre-
vail, and no harsh words had lasscd in any
portion Of the crowd
At about half-rast ) o'clock Joe VIII
iams, the great colorcd conserva i've orator.
who had been addressing large meeting
at Spring Hill, l3 miles distant, rode into
town in a buggy, accoxpanicl by Alfred
Ncwsom. colorel man. They drove up
to the store of Col. John NJ. House, where
they were greeted by Luther Ewing, The
president Of the Colored Conservative club.
who invited Williams to address The club
at the court-h use.
Williams replied that It would be I'M
possible for him to do so. as it was import
ant that lie should be in Nashville that
night. Ewing again urged but Williams
still refused, and in few minutes started
off toward Nashville,
After crossing Harpeth river, Newsom
demonstrated with Williams: saying that
he shorld not think Of going on to Nash
vile until next day, as their horse had
been driven a long way. and could not
well stand the fatigue of drive home -
Some further talk followed. when Williams
fnally concluded to turn back.
As they again reached the square, they
we're observed by large number of the
loyal league, who were on their way to the
league rooms. As the buggy came up,
the lcagures crowded around it, some of
them shaking hands with and welcoming
Williams, while others received him by
tipping the vehicle and calling upon him
to get out and make speech. Williams
repeatedly declined, but they would not
listen to him, and he was forcibly lifted
from his scat to the ground. Two Of the
leaders of the league then locked arms
with him, and the three then marched to
the courthouse, followed by the crowd,
who eheercd for Williams, and shouted
''comc and hear the rebel Joe Williams
speak :" The bell of the courthouse rang
out clearly and loudly, and people from all
quarters began to flock around, as the
colored orator mounted the steps.
As he commenced his speech, the deep
est interest was manifested by the large
assembly, and their attention was riycted
upon the speaker as he proceeded. Ev
cry thing was orderly and quiet, aud there
appeared no possible prospect Of any troub-
lie, though a number of the league were
armed with rcyolyers, and swords dangled
at the sides Of their leaders.
A number of mean whites, who were
watching the course matters were taking,
could not brook the idea that the colorcd
men should be allowed to hear the truth
from one of their own people, and at once
that the meeting should be
broken up. One John Bliss, an unprin-
cipled white radical, the proprietor of a
store in that place, appeared to be the
most active ia his efforts to draw away the
crowd.
In about fifteen minutes, the drums, flies
and banners were brought out, and the
long roll sounded. aud every body turned
their eyes for moment to the centre off