The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-05-17
THE MOBILE RIOT.

THE MOBILE RIOT.
Our telegraphic columns contain, this morn
ing, the account of riot in Mobile, which re-
suited in the death of several persons, black
and white; and although we have not yet in
formation enough to say who were most to
blame in this lamentable transaction, we con
say that it was the direct consequence OF
the system of incendiary lectures which
has been inaugurated throughout the South.
From Richmond, from New Orleans and
from Mobile we are hearing the same sad
story. Here, so far, we have been spared.
The good sense and the kindly feeling of oil
classes have hitherto avoided the provocation
which leads to riot and bloodshed; but here
the same elements of society exist US exist else
where throughout the South, and these occur
rences cannot fail to disturb and dlsqulet u.s.
Whatever may be the forbearance and temper
of our whole people, if wicked men will delib-
erately set themselves to create difficulties, to
foment strife, to stimulate and intensity natu-
raj but unfortunate prejudices, the work OF
mischief is easy and sure.
If there are men whose object it is, for party
purposes, to prevent the peaceful and success
full execution of the Reconstruction Act; to
provoke between the races On animosity which
does not now exist, and to inhame the hearts
of an ignorant and deluded multitude with
hate only the more malevolent because Its OBJ
ject is too general to be protected by the feel
ing of individual kindness, they can always
find on the other side men whose passions are
too strong for prudent restraint, and who will
reply by violence to insulting taunts and calum-
nious invective. In such strife good and
wise men are without any power for good, and
they can have no influence upon consequences
for which they are in no way responsible. If
this is the future before us, God help the conn-
try, for human wisdom is vain. To the white
man it will be time of trial, but to the black
man it can bring nothing but disaster-the
ruin of his fairest hopes-the destruction of all
the good which his freedom might have secured
him, and to which his own good conduct has so
far justly entitled him.
If this course is persevered in there can be
no mistake as to its motive or as to its conse-
ouence No living man on this continent can
delude himself in this matter. The men who
speed the fiery cross on this mission of death
know That their work IS EVIL. Ihey KNOW tnat
not principle of justice, not sentiment OF
humanity is served by their labor of hate, and
that it is out of the fulness of malicious heart
that the mouth speaketh.
They know that if they succeed no Language
can picture the desolation which will mark the
path of their triumph, and we appeal to the
people of the North to stop this unholy crusade.
We appeal to the courage of men who have
proved themselves soldiers, to the wisdom of
men who claim to be statesmen, to the human
ity of o people who thank God they are Chris
tians.
We have right to make this appeal. We
have done our duty fully. We have accepted
the conditions which Congress has imposed, and
putting down old prejudices and natural pas
sions, we have, without evasion, recognised
and respected every right which tho low has
conferred upon the freedmen, and not only 80,
but the strained and Strengthened capital of the
country has been freely spent to afford q field
to his labor and to retain him among US as q
useful member of our society.
No.agitation is:necessary for his protection
The military government which has been placed
in the hands of men whom the whole North
trusts, is ample to guard against any invasion
of his slightest privilege and to secure him the
full exercise, of all his political power The
Freedmen's Bureau. spreads over the whole
country, efficiently and jealously administered
in his interest, and interfering without appeal
with the laws of labor if they bear hardly upon
his capricious energies. Education, if it units
him at the present for what he; can do, is busy
in fitting him for something better which he is
to do Everywhere he has free speech and o
free press. Public meetings and joint associa-
tions are at work teaching him what it is wise
for him to think, and say, and do, and this
mighty revolution in the history of his race
directed and protected by the wealth and
power of an imperial government is going on
quietly, peaceably, without fear on the part OF
the former master, without riot on the part OF
the former slave.
| And this wonderful achievement, more won
dcrful and more honorable to both great Sec
tions of the American people than all the bat-
ties that were won and lost, is to be disturbed
! for what:
From every portion of the South every mail
brings the evidence that this apparently inso-
luble problem is solving itself, that common
wants and common hopes, that industry and
capital, that justice and wisdom, kind hearts
and clear heads are teaching black and white
that they can best serve themselves by serving
each other, and all this labor must be thrown
away, this prospect of returning peace be shut
in darkness, to crafty the vanity and relieve
the poverty of few demagogues who at the
expense of party committee and protected by
| an army whose brave and generous officers
must loathe the duty, are striving towin party
triumph that is not in danger or to preserve
personal notoriety which has already sufficient,
ly offended the decency and good sense of the
country.
If the great leaders of the Republican party
had thought fit to come among us and with the
gravity and temperance and authority that be-
long to their characters and position, to speak
to all classes in words of kindness upon the
questions of national interest which the present
condition of the South presents, they nigh
have accomplished much good. At any rate
thew would have been everywhere received
with courtesy and heard with respect bu
surely they understand the difference between
such an appeal to the Southern people and thu
| Irritating influence of the noisome demagogue'