The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-07
Riot ut Nobilc---T'slrcc Blacks Ki1iesl-"-
Four Policemen and Nine Others
snG

MOBILE, Ala, August 6.-Last night
serious riot occurred in this city, beginning
ut an outdoor Radical meeting to celebrate
the triumph OF the Radical candidate for
this congressional district. The meeting
was a large one, and all negroes except a
few white leaders. During the whole OF
Yesterday rumors were in circulation that
the negroes were very much excited, def
ant, and threatening. and meant to burn in
cficy the Democratic candidate for Congress,
Colonel Mann. Several citizens called on
the Mavor and some of the Radical leaders,
and advised them that it would be better to
postpone the meeting, for that if the ctiigy
threat was carried out the white people
could not he restrained from an attempt to
resent the indignity by force. 1t was
thought that those representations had had
the desired effect, and that there would be
no meeting.
At s o'clock, however, the tar barrels
we're lighted, when the negroes began to
flock in until they swclicd into crowd
of one thousand to one thousand five hun
bred. Many came with guns, most all with
concealed arms-pistols, knives, and razOrs.
Nothing occurred to disturb the harmony
of the meeting except the inflammatory
talk of the carpct-bag speakers until about
10 o'clock, when a jocose dispute between
two citizens upon 4 subject entirely foreign
to politics or the meeting attracted some
attention, and in pressing up TO see what 1t
was about, white man accidentally trod
on the foot of negro. Just as the altcrca-
ton about this was settled, II pistol shot
was heard, and this was the signal for
general firing. The whole crowd dispersed
Immediately. The firing was continued a
few minutes as the crowd scattered, and III
ten minutes dead quiet reigncd, broken
only by the tread of white patrol.
4 detachment of United States troops
we're stationed at the guard-housc in an
ticipation of trouble. They took no part in
the ARRAY, except to march up town to look
after and put stop to some firing. 1t Is
not known who fired the first shot. 1t was
the natural result Of the excitement. There
were not over 100 white men as lookcrs-on
at the meeting.
The casualties arc small, considering the
number of shots and the close quarters.
Many shots must have been fired in the
air.
Three negroes were killed outright. Four
policemen, five negroes, ana three "Ill'e
men were wounded.
The Mobile Register Of this morning
comments on the riot as follows:
"Last nights work, done after our edlto-
rial of this morning was in print, is sharp
and quick commentary on the dangers We
forccas d from the present aspect OF al
fairs. It is a burning shame that this
community should be exposed to outrages
like this, and the community owes 1t TO IT.
self to take measures to protect Itself
against repetition Of them. As TO where
the blame lies there is no room for qucs-
ton.
"These deeds are the direct outflow OF the
maddencd passions OF negroes, intiamed
and dashed into fury by the public ha-
rangues and private instigations of the
foreign Radicals in our midst. 1t is aques-
ton for the public to decide how long these
incendiaries shall be allowed to impcril the
peace of society and the safety of women
and children. We hope that public meet
ing will be held to answer this question