New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-12
THE ELECTION IN THE SOUTH
GEORGIA.

GEOhU1A.
THE SAVANNAH RIOTS AND THEIR NATuRAL
sEQUENCE-wHO MADE RIOT-THE TRUTH
AT LAsT-THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRAMME
FOR VICTORY.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
SAVANNAH Nov. 6.-The only object of this letter
is to give the simple truth in regard to the barbarous
measures adopted by the Seymour and Blair Democ'
racy to carry this city and county on Tuesday last
You have heard of the shooting and killing done here
on that day. and that ought to have prepared you II
1t did not to expect the natural sequenceSayannah
gave an overwhelming Democratic majority. 1t Is
unnecessary to go back of the morning Of the cleo
ton, except to remark that circumstances, such as
the boasts Of those with bravado than discre-
ton--the rumored recent organization Of old Clubs
(supposed to be nothing more than the
resuscitation Of former military companies),
and the whispered arrival of repeating rifles, had
created many suspicious that organized desperate
effort would be made to overawe and, il need be,
overpower the Republicans at all hazards. Suisse
quent events have shown that this suspicion was too
well founded. Through our city press aided by
sympathzing agents of the Associated Press II has
been published to the country no doubt, that the
negroes of this place. led and melted by incen-
diary white men, are solely responsible for the
deeds of violence and bloodshed which dis
graced our streets at an early hour on
Tuesday morning To the lasting infamy OF those
who have circulated such fasehoods; brief nara
tive Of q few prominent and indisputable facts,
which thousands of truthful, law.abidng citizens,
white and colored, stand ready TO substantiate' and
which the Democrats themselves have not so much
as attempted to deny will satisfy any ione that a
blacker lie lnever emanated form the mouths OF
professed Christian people. Here are the facts
stripped Of all punishment that might in any man
ner tend TO the prejudice of either side.
The polls were opened at I o. m.-there being but
three boxes for the whole city and all these at the
Court House The negroes began TO assemble as
early as 3 o'clock AS the hour for opening APP
preached they formed in line opposite the several
entrances and when the doors were opened. moving
quietly forward proceeded TO cast their votes. There
was no struggle the part OF the negroes TO Obtain
the advantage. Few white men were present at the
time and they-the negroes-gained their position 10y
yirtue of that most remarkable patience they have
always manifested under such circumstances There
was no disturbance no demonstration, no e1nlatlon'
not even the ordinary excitement. until about -
o'clock when quite n large number OF railroad en-
Moves marched up IN a body and attempt was
made TO open way through the solid
ranks of the negroes, to enable these
Democrats to reach the polls. This favor it was pro-
posed by certain officials 10 grant tho employees, IN
order it is alleged that they might not lose their
days work By waiting quietly their turn-by placing
themselves behind either of the lines and moving
up in their regular ORDER like other people The OBJ
iect of opening the way was not explained to the
negroes and of course was not understood by them
and might have been just strenuously resisted by
them if il had been explained. FIRST came con
fusion and jostng. Blows followed clnb'
were used and 30 on, through the regular
mob gIadations. until tho final resort
n firearms. with the usual result when freedmen
attacked their former masters One white man klied
four more or less wounded, five negroes killed aud
| % to 30 wounded. The negroes III compliance WIN
the repeated instructions of their leaders, bad gone
| 10 the polls with very few exceptions unarmed ana
were consequently unprepared 10 offer any great TO
| sistance. The struggle was short They were
driven from the polls, and, fleeing for Their lives ~
every conceivable direction, were pursued for
s1uares by citizens and police and fired
| ON whenever opportunity offered. Only a
small number OF the negroes Ventmed 10
rcturn 70 the polls md they stood at distance ana
| finally left the vicinity altogether. The Democrats
| bv this time had rallied by thousands aud now
pressed forward in lines the same as tho negroes had
done crowding every avenue of approach so ihht IL
VIVA utterly impossible, If indeed II had not been "a
,eckess exposure of life under the then existing ex-
element and bloodthrsty rage OF the crowd Ioi
eolored Republican TO attempt TO reach the polls.
Tho only oneston TO be decided in order TO fix the
r.sponsibility of the whole affair IS, could the ne
groes of right by any authority whatever be ioiced
10 Weld the vantage ground their timely appearance
a, the nolls had given themi No one pretends that
courtesy enters very largely into American politics.
particularly when il comes to granting such peculiar
| favors 70 the opposition. The same may be said OF
ressr0 business enqdgenoafs. Clearly the whole pro-
| coedinp WAS without n shadow of authority. The
| negroes were entitled 20 their postion-no power
from any source could rightfully deprive them of IT.
and those who made the attempt, from the hlghes'
CITY official down TO the poor ignorant white man
who for pay permits himself 10 be made the TOOL IL
sucb murderous deeds, are responsible Tor II.
The CITY press in endeavorng to SHIFT the RESPONSE
blity from the proper shoulders raises the OH cry o.
Who fired irstf who first resorted to violencef-a
70 that closed the case. Who authorized, and wh'
did nerform an unwarranted illegal and outrageous
action are questions far more easily answered ant
ooually more important Who fired first may neve
Iva setted 70 the satisfaction of all parties OF elthe
| aide but 80 strong do the Republicans ieei III thoi
ability to present clear record III tiis as III o.ne
matters that they not only do not snilhR 'ol' p''
ON tbe contrary. court the most searching nyestiga
ton. -.,.. .,;,, >,
,,roye that the riot was either part OF the Demo
rratic nrooramme or Its legitimate result. certain
othor matters will bear recital The managers AT al
,bree of the polls with or two exceptions wer'
Democrats. and consequently the opportunity wal
favorable for running the affair to SUIT themselves
The most prominent among these magistrates mac
declared his intention before the eeoioh' 10 chai
80 ayarv Rcpublican voter and the same Justlct
olso stated that Gov. Bnllocks proclamation
mspending the collection OF taxes wouid DC