The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-02
Order Observed Throughout
the State.
First Appearance of the Freed
men at the Polls.
Success of the Republican Ticket
Etc,, Etc, Etc, Etc.. ETC., Etc,

closed upon one OF the most peaceable elections
ever held in this city, and no reports have been
received as yet which indicate trouble else where,
though il is difficult to conceive that the elec-
tiOn has passed off in the interior wholly with
out disturbance. In Nashville there was a gene
raj suspension OF business and people kept
their houses, so that the streets except in the
immediate vicinity OF the polls, were almost as
deserted and quiet as on Sunday. There was no
intoxicatlon and no disorder. A few arrests
were made for violation of the ordinance as to
carrying concealed weapons and couple of
colored men were apprchended for attempting
the Democratic strategy of voting more than
once, Even the 6isfranchised were, as general
thing, in good humor and seemed to make
jest OF the greater privileges of the negro. Nor
was this good order due to martial effect, for
General Duncan had disposed the military most
unobtIusively. A few cavarymen were picketed
in the rear of the City Hall, detachment of in
fantry had stacked arms at the Capitol, and a
horseman quietly watched each polls from a
distance; otherwise the military were out of
sight.
The great feature of the election was, of
course, the exercise of the franchise for the
first time in any place by the African race of
the South, 1t would have been a curious scene
anywhere to have witnessed streams of black
voters at the polls. It was remarkably so in
tennessee. 1t seemed like closing tableaux to
the great drama just enacted by the nstlon--its
apotheOsis of the terrible struggle which set free
whole people; 1867 was curlously contrasted
with 1850. White and black, master and slave,
freeman and freedman, side by side, to-day IN
Tennessee exercised the privileges of common
citizenship.
The newly made voters were up bright and
early this morning. They>thronged the streets
in quest of the polls long before they were
opened. When the ballotng commenced they
formed in long lines, and in an lncessant stream
poured in their tickets until their whole vote
was received. They we're go prompt and steady
at this work that nearly the whole negro vote
was polled by 2 o'clock. The whites generally
deferring voting until the afternoon, the colored
citizens had the polls almost entirely to them
selves during the forenoon.
few Caucasians forced themselves into the
rigid Ethiopian tide, and were borne along to
the ballot-baX; but their numbers were few
and far between. SiDgularly enough, many of
the negroes were electioneeriDg for the con-
seryatlye candidates, and perhaps from one
tenth to one-eigLth of the whole colored vote
was cast against the radical ticket. Some of
the partisans of the conservative side were
roguishly palming off antrradical ballots on
their unsuspecting colored brethren who did
not enjoy the advantages OF common school
education, and who, consequently, voted con-
tTary to their real intention. But few were
deceived in this manner, however.
1t is still fact that an important element of
the conservative vote was contributed BY the
newly enfranchlsed coloTed citizens. Their
freedom of opinion. They merely expressed
their estimate of their degraded fellow
Ethiopians, who could vote any other than
rad" ticket by look of supreme contempt,
pleased with toy than the negro with the
ballot. StOically patient, he broiled for hours
in the hot sun awaiting his turn, each face ra-
diant with delight, and each hand nervousiy
clutching the ballot of the freedman. The race
was represented by all the ages of manhood,
from the sprucest city boy TO the venerable
white haired feld-hand, who was barely able to
hobble TO the polls, and who seemed as If about
to deposit his ballot for the first and last time
his life; and all shades were present, from the
unnltieaJed blackness of the Congo to the fair
Whiteness of the Octoroon, who might lay claim
TO be wholly Caucasian
The challeugeIs of the conservatives acted i'm
partially in their duties. They did not seem
10 manifest any improper desire to impede the
voting. Where they knew the voter to be quali-
fed they even assisted him to prompt deposit
OF his ballot. When 1t was necessary to ques-
ton the voter, the Well-known ignorance of the
African as to dates and time was illustrated;
all were over tWenty-one years OF age, accord
ing to what they we're told by their parents and
relatives; but not one in dozen could name
his birthday.
The registration list of colored voters is also
remarkable for the long array OF distinguished
names, The best families OF Tennessee, the
most renowned statesmen and soldiers of the
Union since it's incipiency, and even the
glorious cognomens of Roman history, bid tair
to be perpeiuated, in name at least, among the
future citizens of Tennessee.
1t is remarkably quiet under the circam-
stances, and in the circumstances themselves
the election to-day dates an epoch in the politi-
cal history OF the country
NASHVILLE, Tennessee August IL am In
receipt of information from al the principal
towns of Middle Tennessee. There was not the
slightest disturbance during the day. All was
as quiet as in Nashville.
The returns from the different sections OF the
State come in slowly. Every county in Middle
and East Tennessee, so far as heard from, has
gone radical. BroWnlow probably carries every
county In the State except two in West Tennes
see and they are doubtful. Middle tennessee
gives him a majority OF at least 10000, Nashville
city gives him 5000, and Davidson county ovel
400O.
The radical CongTessmen are elected withou
DOUBT Mason, who ran in the Nashville DIS
tIict as an independent radical on the conhsca
tion platform, received only a few votes.
The radical candidates for Congress leao
BroWnloW in nearly every district.
VI the Legislature twenty out OF tWenty-thre'
radicals are elected tor the Upper House, and al
but ten OF the eighty-three representatives II
the Lower House. .... L.
The returns in thus tar (midnight) indicate
majority in the State for Bro wnloW of $4,000
which will probably be increased TO 30,0OO
MElnHIs Tenn, August l.-The State, mum
clpal, and Federal arrangements TO prevent an
rOtous proceedings were so we'll perfected, an
the disposition OF influential people for fair-pla
30 we'll pronounced, that the election to-da
passed OF amid O quiet unusual for this city
Not the least disturbance was manifested, nc
even the faintest of cheers at any Of the poll
disturbed the intensity OF the effort that from
O'Clock until characterized both parties. Th
challenging was close, and party expedient wa
much resOrted TO by radicals and conEerVativ.
20 increase their strength. The victory Is wit
the ioTRs5 The cOlQFed men have gwen bSoWI