The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-10-11
THE RIOT IN ,NArcH1rocHEs.

THE RIOT IN .NATCHITOCHES.
To know all the causes which led to,
and of which the disturbance of Satur-
day was simply tho effect, our readers
have to refer to the files OF the VinSli-
honded In one word, Blunt. N5,,a,.s,t
Wherever - negro assumes or Nc-
quires an unbounded influence over
his race, 1t is for good or bad, and we
are panied to say in most instances for
bad. l.. ....,,s '..4l III f,.f.,, d ,s.,,,r
Blunt had that influence aud he was
bad. He knew nothing but color, and
every act of his public life was actu0ted
solely by his intense hatred to the
whites. That was the handspring of
his whole public and private conduct.
In politics, In religion, and In all his
social ties, twas the same.
His abuse Of the white man was per-
sistent and bitter. His manner and
language violent and incentitary. He
declared no man could he true Re-
tho clubs every Conservative or law
abiding white person long since; and
his religious sermons were burdencd
with the expressions that Heaven was
peopled only with colored men who
believed In him, Blunt, first and Christ
at any time afterwards.
Every intelligent white man knew
this, and knew well that Blunt had no
hesttancy In acting on his belief. Com
sequently, when he announced his tn-
tention to again enter politics, which
he had promised faithfully not to
do, and declared that that entering
was but for revenge. every person was
either uneasy or alarmed. Tho law
had come for decisive action and that
Q crisis was upon us, and that they
must act promptly. IS IL
AS lar back as Monday, tho air was
full of rumors that Blunt, Bretla and
others were determined to make u
demonstration on the Democratic Con-
vention; in other words, II negro man
informed the writer, sword was sent
to the colored people to rally, that they
Intended to bulldoze tho white con
vention or burn the town" g.,.
When they gathered Mt the lower
end Of the city, and under the influence
of their incendiary speakers, their
howls and yells startled to action every
citizen. Tho convention was adjourn
ed, and every person went forward to
disperse them and arrest their leaders.
OF course, the leaders fled at the first
intimation Of danger and loft their
ignorant dupes to be- dispersed, which
was done without bloodshetl, and In
o prompt nnd orderly manner. There
| was one party of negroes, however,
which wo have since learned was COM
posed of their bullies and fighters, that
moved off in body, cursinx and daring
tho possee to shoot, and using all man-
ner Of threatening, conteinpttOus and
inflnlnatory. language and acts, In order
to incite the white people to madness.
This crowd moved sNllenly and dog
gedly out of town, crossed tho Dyke
over Old River, and went below, where
we have since learned they had their
armed mon ready to do their part OF
the work. In m hour or so, quiet was
SO much restored that tho convention
again assembled and began their labOrs
which were SO seriously interrupted.
Suddenly, and without warning, this
mass 0f armed and desperate negroes
appeared upon the Dyke moving on
the town. The white people had
mostly gone to their homes, and those
out, were Mt tho Court House without
arms or apprehension of danger. Four
young men had been stationed on the
Town Gnu OF the Dyke, WHich Is Wliy
mile from tho Court House, and the
first news OF this force was brought
by them. The negroes crowded for
ward about dusk to cross the Dyke
and rescue Blunt, who had been cap
tured mt his house and assured OF per-
sonai safety, and burn the town. Our
young mon halted them, when tho
negroes Immediately opened fire, which
was promptly returned. Over fifty
shots were fred, when the negroes, or
the greater part, broke and fled. Our
people then organized and prepared to
meet the danger which was then 80
threatening and eminent. Reinforce
ments were sent for and every effort
which prudence could suggest was
made to put down the negro mob.
Sunday was quite exciting, and scout
Ing parties brought Intelligence that II
number Of armed negroes were con-
gregating about 8 miles below town.
A strong force was sent down but they
scattered before they had arrived by
the advance ofa party Of whites from
below.
The casualties, we are grateful, arc
not serious. As far as we can learn,