The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-11

The STRIKE OF THE Observation-Disclosures
A RIor.-The laborers employed by Messrs Adger
L Co., In the place Of the members OF the
Union who were discharged Sf Friday, continue
to work on the wharves, but on Friday night and
on Saturday evening there was serious expecta-
tion OF O riot, growing out Of the determination
OF the Union not to allow any men to work OF less
than Union prices. On Friday night, and also on
Saturday morning, everything pussed on smootn-
ly, but on Saturday evening at least three hum
dred colored men, with light fringe OF whites,
assembled on the Bay, between the old Postohice
and Adger's wharf. The workmen on the wharves
were expected to knock or at about O'Clock, and
by that hour the angry excitement OF the
colored crowd was showing Itself In oaths
and threats directed against the worEingmen IN
particular, and all whites In general. A few white
men were standing by the old Postoffice watching
the course OF events This stirred the bile OF the
negroes, who gathered at once around these in
offensive citizens. Four policemen were on the
spot, but there were no open acts OF violence on
the part OF the negroes beyond the throwing OF
one brick, and no arrests were made. EncOurag.
ed by their apparent security, the negroes did all
that negroes could do TO bring on riot. They
shouted out that "they would drink the Dlood oi
the white men," and that "they were as goQd as
any white man. anywhere. Hooting and bowling
followed the negroes evidently trying to force the
white bystanders to attack them. We are glad
10 saw that the white citizens conducted them
selves with decorum and moderation worthy or
all praise. They were ready doubtless to assist
the police in preserving order but they had no
intention OF making an onslaught upon pack Of
poor devils whose bark Is worse thah their olte'
And yet the provOcation was extreme. Ihe ne
groes were bowling and shouting. They Dram
dished their cotton hooks and sharpened thelr
knives. At last q brick was thrown, knocking the
cigar out OF the mouth of one young man anu
striking on the right arm with great iorce Il gen
,leman who was on his way home. Even this dld
not cause the bvstanders TO drive the negro mob
into the WAFER Soon aftcrwartl detachment of
police. under Lieutenant Taft, marched on the
cround and cleared the Bay Of the negroes. II
w,s thcn found that most Of the lab0rers had
gone home in safety from the wharvcs, and the
notice returned 10 the Guarlhouac. Later Ill the
evening the last gangs at WORK OH Tie wharf "cn'
of without mOlestatiOn.
Only word of comment is.,pecessary. The
negroes were on the B,H1pr the purpose OF beat
ing and bullying the laDorers VINO dareu 10 ihake
their own terms without regard TO the lnsoient
dictation OF an auiOcratic Union. inc presence
Of a large number of our best citizens prevented
the carrying out of this intention. Disappointed
and infuriateJ, in Il wild way the negroes did all
they could TO provoke an attack nut the
white people whose object was the preservation oil
peacc and not the encouragement ol disorder
Maid no heed to their insolent chatter. At the
Same time we doubt not that blow or shower
of brickbats would have brought on riot that
could not have been quced until the blood had
been shed Of both negroes anu ha''icai WHITES.
Our people want peace, but II they arc "tacAe''
they will defend themselves in earnest
| So mote il be