The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-12

not often occur to exercise the rights of franchise
The negroes were noisy aud would not Yield while
the indgn alton OF the whites At the entire lack OF
fair show at the polls promised consequences
unless remedy was applied. AT noon, this excite
ment received another impetus upward, by the
arrest OF three negro repeaters from Camden, who
were pointed out by Camden official, and removed
TO the third District Station House.
The condition of affairs was serious. An evil de-
monstTaton was quickening, and wanted but little
to bring 1t out into the full bloom of q riot. There
was large force OF police, but the streets were
crowded; and their presence thorn in the side
of the newly enfranchised.
Word was sent to the Mayor.
A note was addressed to the United States Mar
The latter apprehended grave disturbance. He
sent to the naval rendezvous requistlon for "A
company OF marines, then donned his hat, and, in
company with his Honor the Mayor, and Recorder
Gvin, soon appeared at Fifth aud Lombard streets.
Like as sheep, disconnected by some impending
danger, at once become passive at the appearance
of their shepherd; or, perhaps, more properly, as
belligerent schoo-boys In lively preparation for
turn at fsticuffs become tranquil and even friendly
under the stern eye of the master-so this crowd at
Fifth and Lombard streets, riotousy inclined, bos-
battle, was restored to reason aud silence by the
appearance OF the Mayor, the Marshal, and the Re-
coIdeT
So soon as the Mayors back was turned
the rioting commenced again, and the ma
rines, who had in the meantime arrived near
the scene of strife, cleared the street and
took possession of the polls, and under their
protection the election proceeded peaceably
until the hour of closing. The marines then
marched off, and we find their exit from the
scene thus recorded by the Age:-
AT O'Clock the polls were declared closed
deafening yell rent the air, and then succeeded
series OF cheers for the candidates, aternaed by
series OF groans for the marines, amid which was
heard the rattle OF the drum. The heroic soldiers
formed for the retreat. This took some tme as the
line had been disturbed and the soldiers scattered,
each one having formed the nucleus around which
gathered a score of burly roughs, who could at a
diSarmpd him-a DOaSibilitV
commander, perhaps had not the slightest thought.
AT the command of the Major the sixty marines
right about, and, with muskets at shoulder shift,
passed down Lombard street, between dense banks
OF people, who hooted at them in derlsion.
If the Mayor had simply protested against
the interference of United States soldiers,
and given his understanding of the law in the
case, there would be no objection, but when
he made such statement as the following he
either knew nothing about matter that was
notorious to thousands of the citizens of
Philadelphia, and which was causing the
greatest excitement and apprehension, or
else he allowed his partisanship and his pre-
judices against the colored voters to get the
better of his habitual disposition for truth
fulness. At the conclusion of his letter to
Marshal Gregory he says:-
beg leave to remind you sir, that this city ia In
state OF profound peace and that its ordinary police
force has been found fully adequate to the preserva
tion OF the public peace and beg leave also to re-
mind you that have just returned from visiting the
place In which you supposed disorder to exist, and
only to find that peacefulness, quietness, and good
order prevailed there, as was apparent to yourself
And in telegram to the Governor he re-
peats the same ideas in even stronger terms:
Without any necessity existing for such an
action, and without the slightest disturbance exist
ing to afford pretext for 1.-THE city being per-
fecty quiet-the United States Marshal Gregory
has taken possession OF poll in this city with
force OF Uoited States marines, under Lieutenant
Colonel Forney, and interfered with an election
legally held and peacefully conducted. l am amply
able to maintain the peace of the city without any
otciai nrotest agsnst this outra@e and have de
Danded the immediate dsbandment of these
troops-of this unwarrantable Infringement upon
the rights OF our State and particularly OF this
city.
In reply to the Mayors protest the Marshal
referred to the act of Congress of July ID,
1870, which made it his duty not only to pro-
tect the colored voters at an election for
United States officers, but to call to his aid
an armed force if it should be necessary to
do SO, and he gives the following sufficient
reasons for summoning the marines:-
This morning was informed by number OF re-
liable citizens that the coored voters of the Third
precinct OF the Fifth ward were being excluded
from the polls. This was violation of the act OF
Congress Of the Sd OF May last, and by one Of the
provisions OF the same act 1t was made my duty to
take cognizance of the otiense, and see the en-
forcement OF the law. was further informed that
the deputies that had appointed had been arrested
by your policemen and removed from the vicinity of
this precinct, and that your policemen were present
at this particular precinct in very large NUMBERS
and were actively engaged in the exclusion of the
colored voters.
There are few respectable citizens who
desire to see the peace preserved upon cleo
tion day and the rights of every citizen, white
or black, secured, who will not be able to
decide as to which was in the right in this
matter, the Mayor or the Marshal; and if the
Democratic ruffians can be made to under
stand that colored voters can rely upon the
support of United States bayonets in the
future in case they are assaulted or intimi-
dated at the polls, more will be done to check
the violence of a class of men who have been
accustomed to set the laws at defiance than
ever has been done since Philadelphia was a
city.