The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-08-14
Riot I'm MO5;se--ElectioH Re
CNTRsS.

CarREs.
MOBILE, Aug. 6.-Last night a serious
riot occurred in this city, beginning at ar
out door Radical meeting to celebrate the
triumph of the Radical candidate for this
Congressional district.
The meeting was a large one, and all re.
groes, except a few white leaders. During
The whole of yesterday rumoIs were in cir
c~ulation that the negroes were very much
excited, defiant and threatening, and meant
to burn the Democratic candidate for Con
gress, Col. Mann, in effigy.
Several citizens called on the Mayor and
some Ct the Radical leaders, and advised
them that it would be better to postpone
the meeting, for if the the efigy threat was
carried out the white people could not be
restrained from an attempt to resent the
indignity by force.
1t was thought that the c representations
had the desired affect, and that there would
be no meeting. At s o'clock, however,
the tar barrels we're lighted, and the ne
groes began to flock in until they swellcd
INTO a crowd ofl000 or 1000. Many came
with guns, almost all with concealed arms,
pistols, knives and raz rs.s
Nothing occurred to disturb the harmony
of the meeting except the infammatory talk
Of the carpet bag speakers, until about
10 o'clo k, when a jocose dispute between
two citizens on a subject entirely foreign to
politics or the meeting attracted some at
%tention, and in pressing up to see what il
was about a whiteman a%ccidently trod or
the foot of a negro. Just as the alteration
about this was settled, a pistol shot wa:
heard and this was the signal for a genera
firing.
The whole crowd dispersed Immediately
The firing was continued a few moments, a!
the crowd scattered, and in ten minutes
dead quiet reigned, broken only by The
tread of white patrols.
A detachment of U. S. troops was sta
toned at the guard house at the request o
the Mayor, in anticipation of trouble
They took no part in the fray except tt
march up town to look after and put a sto!
to some firing.
1t is known who fired the shot. 1t wa
the natural result ofthe excitement. Their
were not over one hundred white men a.
lockers on at. the meeting.
Inc caSualtlcS Wclc slHdil Soiloiool IL
the number of shots and close quarters
Many shots must have been fired IN tn
air. Three negroes were killed outright
four police officers, five negroes n thre
white men were wounded.
The Register of this morning comment
on the riot as follows: Last nights Worl
done after our editorial of this morning Wa
in print, is a sharp and quick commentar:.
on the dangers we forecasted from the pres
ent aspect of affairs. 1t is a burning sham
that this community should be exposed t
outrages like this, and the community owe
it to itself to take measures to protec
itself against a repetition of them.
AS to where the blame lies there is n
reason for question. These deeds are tn
direct overflow Of the maddened passions c
the negroes, inf1amed and dashed into fur.
by the public harangucs and private inst
cations of the foreign Radicals in our midst
1t is a question for the public to decid
how long these incendiaries shall be above
to expose the peace of society and the safe
ty of women and children. We hope tia
a public meeting will be held to answe tn
question.
The election in the First Compression;
f, District is uncertain. 1t will take the OF
cia, count to decide.
J