The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-06-15
a Sesy Construction Of Freedom
OF Voting. =.
MOBvI0LENCEANDLY LAW
CONSERVATIVES Ialtreated.

WASHINGTON, June T-!Thc election
here to-day has resulted in the triumph
of the Republican ticket, and has been
accompanied by extraordinary scenes of
riot and bloodshed, resulting in the
killing of two persons and the wound
ing Of several, The principal riot was
in contest of the negroes with the
Metropolitan Police, and did not result
from the antagonism of political parties.
Early last night the negroes commen-
ced to congregate in the vicinity of the
polls, which they took possession of ear
ly this morning, and held until one
O'Clock They consulted freely among
themselves and determined that no col
ored man should vote the Conservative
ticket. In n precinct in the Second
Ward a mulatto named Stuart appeared
to vote, and was instantly recognized as
conservative and pounced upon. He
barely escaped with his life into all adj
joining house, whence the crowd follow
ed, driving out the family that occupied
it, and endeavoring to secure Stuart,
amid cries of "Hang him" At this
juncture Superintendent Richards, of the
Police, arrived on the ground backed
by reserved police of mounted men,
and sent word to Stuart to come from
his hiding place and vote, and he would
be protected. The latter at once ap-
pcared, when large crowd made rush
at him, but were driven back by the
clubs of the police The patrolmen
then formed a hollow square around
Stuart, and the latter, with the Superin-
tendent, moved off guarded by the po-
lice. AT least thousand negroes fol.
lowed, yelling and throwing stones, and
making occasional dashes Is the police
The negroes swarmed out of the ad-
joining alleys, and it required the Mt
most GOODNESS of the force to prevent
them from rescuing Stuart and lynch
ing him. The negroes were armed with
clubs, razors and stones, only two Oh
three having firearms. Finally, Stuart
was escorted to another precinct, and
voted. This fact seemed to enrage the
crowd, and the police were greeted with
volley of stones and clubs. They
charged on the mob, driving them back
and were in turn driven back about 6
whole square. The Superintendent re-
ceived several severe blows. The tattle
then commenced in earnest Right in
front of the residence of the Secretary
of the British Legation, the mounted
police fired yolley over the heads OF
the rioters, which caused panic among
the thousands of spectators who had
been attracted by the affair. These flew
into the residences, down the alley-ways
behind trees and boxes, helter skelter.-
Their excitement and speed being ac
celerated by another volley from the
police, which this time was fired into
the crowd, The police had been driv
en- nearly another block. Several mcr
fell, aud two negroes were fatally woun
ded, while about half dozen white ant
black men received shots in the arms
and legs, not seriously injuring them
Severa. colored women were run ovel
by the crowd. When the colored mer
fell the mob made another assault on the
police with showers Of bricks. One
mounted policeman, detached by acci
dent from the force, was terribly beaten
and his horse shot in the flank; the pc
liceman was only saved by fleeing dowr
an alley The second volIey of sho
intimidated the negroes, Notwithstanding
that they had been reinforced, and they
were driven back block. defiantly, bu
virtually giving up the attack. The pc
lice followed them closely, and succeed
ed in an hour in securing quiet, though
they patrolcd the street for four hours
The Mayor of the city soon appeared
but as the police were without his con
troll, he was powerless. The negroes tc
the number of several hundred remain
ed in the vicinity until after dark, shout
ing that they would kill any white o.
black Democrat. but everybody gave
them wide berth, and no additicna
outrages arc reported. The coloret
population have been very much excited
by the infammatory appeals made tc
them by white men and Forney's Chron
icle not to vote the Citizens Ticket, ant
the riot to-day is the natural result. :