Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-09-16
RIoToUs Do1NGs AT POLITICAL MEETING

attempting TO Incite Riot.
Several colored men, members of the
straightout republican committee of the
State, last week announced that a mass
meeting would be held on the evening of
the 10Th, last night on the base ball;
grounds, near the cotton factory, in this
city at which Rev. John NJ Dawson. the
colored candidate for Congressman al large,
Key. Laws, Rev. Roane and others would
deliver addresses. The meeting intended
to be in the interest of Dawson, after some
delay was called to order last night by u
colored man named Gichrist who stated
the object. Wan A. Rowe, of Alexandria
county, was then elected chairman. By this
time 4 crowd of drunken negroes, who had
assembled ut the old Court House, arrived
on me grounds. cheering and waving flags
and ii was plainly apparent that there was
10 be an attempt TO turn the meeting into
Malloncltc demonstration, for all proceed
ings were stopped by cries of 'Hurrah for
Billy Malone" As soon rs ANYTHING like
order could be obtained, an attempt was
made To elect 4 secretary. This attempt was
met by the white and black Mahoneites
with derlsive cheers and great disorder
The chair stated that q secretary from the
city was desired, but Charles Jackson. col
ored, who appeared 10 be the leader Of the
city crowd, insisted upon the secretary be-
ing chosen from the county. Several on
the stage declared that Jackson and his
crowd were only engaged in an attempt to
break up the meeting. Finally w. c. Reeves.
OF the county, TO put stop to the dis
order, consented to act as secretary
tluietness prevailed until Giichrist attempt
cd to read 4 letter from Dawson, when
the negroes, as if by previous arrangement.
commenced yelling. Cries Of Put Christ
| off the stage" Traitor" "Get down YOU
thick-lipped niger" &c. Gilchrist con-
tinued reading the letter. but not word he
said could be heard. athe disorder was so
great. The negroes were excited to wild
ness. Finally there came lull in the storm
of disorder, and J. B. Syphax, colored, al
independent candidate for Congressman at
large, was introduced. Syphax was greeted
with groans and Kisses, but he succeeded in
getting the attention of the crowd, and
made long speech in which hsS declared
that he had been selected candidate for
Congressman at large by State committee
Of coored men. which had been recognized
by Gen. Malone, Brady, and all the leaders
OF the readjuster party, and he was there
fore the only candidate backed by an en-
dorsemcnt Of 4 committee representing the
colored people. 49,.
At the conclusion Of Syphax's speech, and
while the band was playing, the, stahdaup-
on which was seated q large humber of col
ored men. fell with great crash and much
confusion prevailed for a'tims.. IN o one was
injured, and after a goodcdeal sof brushing
Of clothes, and Strengthening Hnt of brass
Instruments and beaver yhatM there was
more music. The music osas,xh1 the, col
ored women, who danced inifESebqf the
stand during the playing Of evsTy1u1e, be-
coming quiet, the chairman took hR posi-
| tion npnn tho only remainingr1,arf of the
platform, and introduced Rev. MIR. Laws, of
Washington, and asked for him a RESPECTFUL
| hearing. The negroes declared they would
not hear Laws and called for Robert Mitch
ell. Laws insisting upon speaking; a rush
was made for the stand, and a.disorder sur
passing all previous effortsof the drunken
negroes prevailed, ddffhg -whicf,,eO Charles
Jackson was arrested by the police
officers on the ground an attempt
to take Grilchrst from the platform
Laws was forced to retire and Mitch
ell made a speech urging the colored men
to stand by General Malone and his party
in the present campaign Then followed
Laws, who urged all present ''to give John
NJ. Dawson q place in the bosom of their
memory" At the conclusion of Laws
speech several colored men jumped upon
the platform, and attempted to speak but
the band and torchbearers leaving immedi-
ately the crowd dispersed. Thus broke ND
one of the most disorderly mass-meetings
ever held in this city: made so, as will be
seen below, by whiskey furnished to negroes
for the purpose by federal Office holders.
This morning at $50 o'clock Charles
Jackson, arrested last night for disordcrly
conduct at public meeting, had hearing
before the Mayor. A large number of wit
nesses were examined. Police Officer Law
Ter testified that when he arrested Jackson,
Mr.. D. A. Windsor, the postmaster of the
city: intcrtercd, and informed him, Lawler.
that the man had done nothing and that ne
coud.not be taken into custody; that Mr..
Windsor. who, with Mr. R. Henry Simpson.
delivery clerk in the postoffice of this city,
had been engaged during the night in urg-
ing the negroes on in their disorderlv and
riotous conduct. cried, "Rally boys; I'm
with YOU; that there was great disorder at
the meeting, and that he, the witness, saw
Mr.. simpson standing in front Of the plat
toAhi wa Aio hAilt Hdt VII u SUCK, when
he waved in front of the speaker
While Officer LAWYER. was giving his testi-
mony some confusion was created in the
Mayors office by Mr. Windsor cmphaticallv
pronouncing the witness a liar. Officer
Lawler advanced towards Mr.. Windsor in q
threatening manner. but the Mayor raped
upon his desk for order, and quiet was soon
restored. The Mayor then said that the
Court had been grossly insulted by Mr..
him Of 800 s
Other witnesses testified to the disorderlv
character of the meeting, and to the promi-
nent part taken i'll the proceedings BY
Messrs. Windsor and Simpson, and the
colored man Jackson
The colored man Gilchrist stated that he
had been informed by young man, q
grocery store keeper, yesterday, afternoon
that he, the young man, had furnished three
gallons of whiskey on the order of Mr..
Windsor to be distributed to the colored
men at night, and that he, the witness