National Republican., 1876-09-11
THE CHARLESTON DISTURBANCE.
Proclamations by Governor Chamberlain an
Mayor Cunningham.

Mayor Cunningham.
CHLRLRsToN, Sept. 10.-The condition of
the city continues very disturbed. The col
ored rioters last night waylaid and attacked
several white men, chiefly in the back streets,
but fed upon the approach of the patrol.
Gov. Chamberlain has issued the following
proclamation:
Whereas information has reached me that
serious riot occurred in the city of Charleston
on the night of the 9th instant, resulting in
the death of one person and the wounding
and iniuring of several more; and whereas
much excitement still exists in that city, and
fears are entertained that the public peace
will be further disturbed: Now, therefore, l,
Daniel II. Chamberlain, Governor of said
State, do proclaim my purpose to preserve the
peace of said city by all the powers at my
command, and to secure to every man of what
ever political party the right to speak, act and
vote freely and safely without constraint or
danger in the present political campaign, and
admonish all my fellow citizens again that
VIOLENCE BEGETs VIOLENCE;
that freedom of speech and of political action
are sacred rights which can never be trampled
on without rousing spirit vengeance and re-
taliation. !, therefore, most earnestly implore
all the citizens of Charleston to rely upon the
law for their sole protection, and to do no act
which shall not be within the sanction of the
law anu Ou1CtIb. I5pcCldllI uO 1 ulSCOuH-
tenance and forbid the presence upon the
streets of bodies of men, whether organized or
not, armed with deadly weapons or weapons
or clubs of any kird, and call upon the Off
GERS of the city and the State to be prompt and
vigorous in checking all such demonstrations
OF violence and lawlessness, and enforcing the
laws for the protection of ali citizens In theif
political rights. The spirit of political intoler-
ance in all its forms is the direct cause which
now oppresses our State, and peace and pros
perity will never come until that foul spirit
is finally exercised. Every thoughtful man
and every good citizen should give his utmost
influence to preserve the public peace by secur-
ing perfect freedom of political action. l am
now in conference with the mayor of the city
and the chief constable of the State, and all
measures suitable for the protection of the
citizens of Charleston will be taken, and all
persons who have violated or who shall here
after violate law will be brought to trial and
punishment.
Mayor Cunningham has issued tonight a
proclamation similar to that of the Governor.
Sheriff Bowen, as chairman of the Republican
party for Charleston county, having requested
a conference with committee of the execu-
tive committee of the Democratic party in
Charleston with a view to the adoption of
measures for the preservation of quiet in the
city, the request was acceded to, and the con-
ference took place this evening, the Republi-
cans present being the Mayor and Messrs.
Bowen, Taft, Mckinley, Brodie and Birney.
The result of the conference was the EXPIRES
sion on the part of the Republicans of an uu-
qualified determination to prevent disorder
and to discover and arrest the persons who
were the aggressors In the riot of Wednesday
night. In the course of the conference it was
distinctly stated by the Democratic committee
men that while they were from every consid-
Grafton anxious to preserve the public peace
they were resolutely determined, no matter
what the cost or consequences, that the scenes
of last Wednesday shall not be repeated.