Abraham Lincoln; that they did not owe it to Congress or to the Northern abolitionists, but that they owed it to the fact that it was inflicted as a punishment on the people of the South for its rebellion. This same official had asked for the negro vote on the ground of being an old soldier. Now, he would say to this official that if the negro was not indebted to Congress, the abolitionists, or Abraham Lincoln, neither were they indebted to the old soldier, and they could not vote for him, as he was one of those who held that enfranchisement was one of the worst things that ever happened to the negro race and to the South; some people held that they were little better than monkeys; now, whether they were monkers or men, they knew who their friends were, and they would never elevate to power their enemiesthe men who held their enfranchisement to be a mis take. The resolutions adopted by the meeting were as follows: Whereas, In the present disorganized condition of the Southern States, and more especially of the State of Alabama, it behooves every citizen who loves liberty, law and order, and peace, and tranquillity of society, to interest himself and to use his every effort to the accomplishment of the work of reorganization: Therefore, Be it resolved by the Union men of Mobile in mass meeting assembled, That our everlasting thanks are due the Thirty-ninth Congress of the United States for its untiring efforts in the passage of such reconstruction measures as it has in its wisdom seen prop er to enact. 2. Resolved, That as Republican Union men we will maintain the principles of the great Republican party in the support of the best interests of the common country, and to the end that peace, harmony, and prosperity may again be fully restored to the nation. 3. Resolved, That in Generals Pope and Swayne we have the utmost confidence, and that we fully indorse their action thus far in the work of reconstruc tion, and hopefully trust that the result of their labor in the great and arduous duties imposed on them as military rulers over the people will result in a satisfactory success. 4. Rered, That we believe that the present condition of the country requires that every Union man should ally himself to the great Republican party; that it having been chief in the salvation of the country, we may properly look to it for the country's protection. 5. Pored, That we recognize no distinctions, either political or civil, existing either in law or fact, made or to be made on account of race, color, or prenous condition, including the rights of suffrage, belding any office within the gift of the people and of sitting in the jury-box. So much disturbance grew out of the attempt of the colored people at this time to ride in the street railroad cars, that the municipal authorities of Mobile called the attention of the commandant of the Freedmen's Bureau to the dispute. In advance of any decision of the question by competent legal or military authority, and in the absence of instructions, he advised the freedmen to abstain from any action tending to produce riot or commotion dangerous to the peace or security of the city; he advised them to seek legal redress whenever prevented from riding. Suits were subsequently commenced against the president of the railroad Company in the Federal Commissioners' Court, which required him to appear before the United States Circuit Court. On April 19th a general meeting of the citizens of Mobile was held relative to the new measures of reconstruction. Among the vicepresidents were men of all classes and coloras civil judges, bishops, clergy, physicians, citizens, etc., etc., of whom five were colored men. The resolutions adopted were as follows: Whereas, The Congress of the United States has passed an act known as the military bill and an act supplemental thereto, which provide for the division of the ten Southern States into five military districts; and Whereas, Major-General John Pope has been assigned to the command of the Third District, of which Alabama forms a part, and said major-general in assuming command has issued his General Order No. 1," in which he continues Major-General Swayne in command of the Sub-District of Alabama, and further orders that the civil officers now in authority should not be disturbed in the discharge of the duties pertaining to their offices so long as they continue so to administer the laws as to secure to each individual his rights of person and property; Therefore, Resolved, Without expressing any opinion as to the legislation referred to in the foregoing preamble, we hereby manifest our gratification at the spirit of moderation which the major-general commanding the Third District brings to the discharge of the responsible duties and to the exercise of the great powers committed to him; and that we feel called upon to meet him in a like spirit and hereby to express to him our purpose to throw no obstacle in the path of his official duties, but that in all that tends to a genuine desire for the restoration of the Union under the Constitution, including all the States, we pledge ourselves to a most earnest and cordial cooperation. Resolved, That we recommend to all who are qualified to register and vote under the provisions of the law, to do so as early as convenient after the opportunity is offered for that purpose, and to scrupu lously abstain from any act which might be construed into a disposition to hinder or disturb any other person in the discharge of any duty or the exercise of any privilege conferred by law. Resolved, That we shall so demean ourselves as a people, that it shall not be our fault if, pending the efforts at reconstruction under existing laws, the civil officers of the State are disturbed in the exercise of their public functions. Resolved, That we find nothing in the changed political condition of the white and black races in the South that ought to disturb the harmonious relations between them; that we are ready to accord to the latter every right and privilege to which they are entitled under the laws of the land; that we sincerely desire their prosperity and their improvement in all the moral and intellectual qualities that are necessary to make them useful members of society; that we are their friends, both from gratitude for their fidelity in the past-in war as well as in peace-and because our interests in the future are inseparably connected with their well-being. The mayor of the city (Withers) said he had heard the resolution, and it commanded his confidence and respect, and would receive his support. Whatever in the past were the struggles, the differences, and the sufferings, and whatever in the present the endurance and the suffering, those resolutions should be sustained. They were a conquered people; they had cast their liberty, their all, upon the die of battle and had lost, and would be recreant to their manhood if they failed to face the position. Let them expatriate themselves, or prove true to what they had pledged themselves. It was useless to put forth puerile or childish pleas. They must manfully look the situation in the face, in justice to themselves, their wives, their children, and their country. Their common emblem was now that common flag. They had now in common one country and one emblem. Let them prove true to that flag. They had been conquered under the flag he and they had raised. Under these circumstances he hoped that there would not be a single no. The only colored speaker on the occasion said: FELLOW-CITIZENS: I feel my incapacity to-night to speak, after hearing the eloquence of those preceding me. I received an invitation from the white citizens of Mobile to speak for the purpose of reconciling our races-the black to the white-to extend the hand of fellowship. You have heard the resolutions. You are with us, and I believe are sincere in what they promise. It is my duty to accept the offer of reconstruction when it is extended in behalf of peace to our common country. Let us remove the past from our bosoms, and reconcile ourselves and positions together. I am certain that my race cannot be satisfied unless granted all the rights allowed by the law and by that flag. The resolutions read to you tonight guarantee every thing. Can you expect any more? If you do, I would like to know where you are going to get it. I am delighted in placing myself upon this platform, and in doing this I am doing my duty to my God and my country. We want to do what is right. We believe white men will also do what is right. The next speaker was a late Confederate officer during the war. He said: It is the first time for seven long years that we sit-and at first we sat with diffidence-under the "old flag," and I cannot deny that my feelings are rather of a strange nature. Looking back to the past, I remembered the day (the 10th day of January, 1861) when I hauled down that flag from its proud staff in Fort St. Philip, and thought then that another flag would soon spread its ample folds over the Southern soil. But that flag is no more. It has gone down in a cloud of glory-no more to float even over the deserted graves of our departed heroes-one more of the bright constellations in the broad canopy of that firmament where great warriors are made demigods. But I did not come here to-night to tell you, men of Alabama, that my heart was with you-for you well know that as far as that heart can go, it never will cease beating for what is held dear and sacred to you. But I came here to speak to those of our new fellow-citizens, who are now seeking the light of truth. It is said that two races now stand in open antagonism to each other-that the colored man is the natural enemy of the white man, and, hereafter, no communion of interests, feelings, and past associations, can fill the gulf which divides them. But who is it that says so? Is it the Federal soldier who fought for the freedom of that race? Is it even the political leader whose cloquence stirred up the North and West to the rescue of that race? No; it is none of these. It is not even the intelligent and educated men of that class, for I now stand on the very spot where one of them, Mr. Trenier, disclaimed those disorganizing principles, and eloquently vindicated the cause of truth and reason. Why, then, should there be any strife between us? Why should not our gods be their gods-our happiness be their happiness? Has any thing happened which should break up concert of action, harmony, and concord in the great-the main objects of lifethe pursuit of happiness? the midst of a community divided against itself, or Where can that happiness spring from? Is it from from one blessed with peace and harmony? In what particular have our relations changed? In what case have our interests in the general welfare been divided? Is not to-day the colored man as essential to our prosperity as he was before? Is not our soil calling for the energetic efforts of his sinewy arms? Can we, in fact, live without him? But while we want his labor he wants our lands, our capital, our industry, our influence in the commerce and finances of the world. And if, coming down from those higher functions in society, we descend to our domestic relations, where do we find that those relations are changed? Does not the intelligent freedman know that neither he nor we are accountable to God for the condition in which we were respectively born? Does he not know that, for generations past, the institution of slavery had been forced upon us by the avarice, the love of power of the North? Does he not know that to-day we have in him the same implicit faith and reliance we had before? Among the orders of a local nature issued by the military commander, Major-General Pope, at this time, was one of April 15th, removing the mayor of the city of Tuscumbia, and appointing another person in his place. The order was as follows: Special Order, No. 2. HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, Į ATLANTA, GA., April 15, 1867. I. The municipal election held at Tuscumbia, Alabama, on the 1st day of April, 1867, being in viola tion of orders of the General-in-Chief of the Army, as well as orders from these headquarters, and not having been conducted in the manner and according to the rule laid down in the late acts of Congress, is hereby declared null and void. II. Lemuel S. Cockburn is appointed mayor of Tuscumbia, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. [Signed] JOHN POPE, Brevet Major-General comd'g. Official copy: J. F. CONYNGHAM, The mayor, at an election a few days previous, had received two-thirds of all the votes cast, both by white and colored voters. By another order, of April 16th, by General Swayne, the district commander, the judges of probate were required to revise the indentures of minors when complaint of hardship was made, and as a rule to revoke indentures made within the past two years where minors were capable of self-support." The attention of magistrates was also called to the repeal of the "vagrant law" by the last Legislature, and any attempts to enforce it were made subject to military cognizance. Chain-gangs, as a mode of legal punishment, were also abolished. On May 14th the mayor and council of the city of Selma other persons were appointed by him to those were removed by order of General Swayne, and offices. The local press at Mobile, on May 3d, thus stated the views of the people: "The people of Alabama are now a unit in favor of reconstruction, almost at any price. They want once more to reënter the great political family of the Union. There is amongst them no di vision, no jarring, which cannot be reconciled by a proper spirit of conciliation." A convention, said to be a State convention of the colored people of Alabama by some, and by others denied to represent the true sentiments, at that time, of the colored people of the State, was held at Mobile on May 1st and 2d. A preamble and series of resolutions were adopted, of which the former was as follows: Whereas, Lately the right of suffrage has been bestowed on our race, heretofore held in bondage, in order that we may acquire political knowledge that will insure us protection in our newly-acquired rights; and whereas it seems to be the policy of our political oppressors to use unfair and foul means to prevent our organization and consolidation as a part of the Republican party in Alabama. The first resolution said: "That we proclaim ourselves a part of the Republican party of the United States and of the State of Alabama; and it is in view of harmony and good understanding, not to establish a separate political party, that we have assembled."" The second resolution expresses confidence in the acts and orders of Generals Pope and Swayne in the discharge of their duty. The third resolution, in the event of the discharge of colored people by their employers for deciding not to become their political tools, calls for a standing army for their protection; and declares that they will make the condition of their people known to Congress, and ask for further legislation for their protection, demanding confiscation if necessary. The fourth resolution declares for peace between the races, deprecates the conduct on the part of employers that necessitates further legislation for the protection of negroes, or for further rebellion against the flag and the country. The other resolutions recommend the establishment of schools, to be supported by a tax on property; and the appointment of military courts and commissions for the trial of violations of the Civil Rights Bill; and the establishment of a Union League in every county, and that the next convention be held in Montgomery in June; and conclude by declaring that the above resolutions represent the opinions of the convention, the members of which pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honors to the faithful observance of them and of the principles of the Republican party. The following additional resolution was then adopted: That it is our undeniable right to hold office, sit on juries, ride in all public conveyances, sit at public tables, and visit places of public amusement. Meanwhile, preparations were made for a registration of the voters by a division of the State into forty-two districts, for each of which three registrars were appointed, some of whom were in many cases non-residents of the registration district. (For the opinion of the U. S. Attorney-General, see PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.) On May 21st General Pope issued the following into registration districts, and numbered and bound I. The States of Georgia and Alabama are divided ed as hereinafter described. II. A Board of Registration is herein appointed for each district, as above mentioned, to consist of two white registrars and one colored registrar. In the State of Georgia, where only the two white registrars white registrars in each district immediately select, are designated in this order, it is directed that these and cause to be duly qualified, a competent colored man to complete the Board of Registration, and report his name and post-office address, without delay, to Colonel C. C. Sibley, commanding district of Georgia, at Macon, Georgia. subscribe the oath prescribed by Congress, by an III. Each registrar will be required to take and act dated July 2, 1862, and an additional oath to discharge faithfully the duty of registrar under the of the appointees hereinafter designated will be unlate acts of Congress. It is not believed that any able to take the test oath mentioned. Blank forms of these oaths will be sent to the appointees at once, and on being executed and returned to the superintendents of State registration, their commissions as registrars will be issued and forwarded to them im mediately. IV. In order to secure a full registration of voters, it is determined to fix the compensation of registrars according to the general rule adopted in taking the fifteen cents for each recorded voter; in the most census. In the cities, the compensation is fixed at sparsely settled counties and districts, at forty cents per voter. The compensation will be graduated between these limits according to the density of the population, and the facilities of communication. Ten cents per mile will be allowed for transportation of registrars off the lines of railroads and steamboats. V. It is hereby made the duty of all registrars, and they will be expected to perform it strictly, to explain to all persons, who have heretofore not enjoyed the right of suffrage, what are their political rights and privileges, and the necessity of exercising them upon all proper occasions. VI. The name of each voter shall appear in the list of voters for the precinct or ward in which he resides; and in cases where voters have been unable in the wards or precincts, where such voters live, opto register, whilst the Boards of Registration were portunity will be given to register at the county seats of their respective counties, at a specified time, of which due notice will be given; but the names of all voters, thus registered, will be placed on the list of voters of their respective precincts. VII. The Boards of Registration will give due notice, so that it may reach all persons entitled to register, of the date when they will be in each election precinct; the time they will spend in it; and the place where the registration will be made; and upon the completion of the registration for each county, the Board of Registration will give notice that they will be present, for three successive days, at the county seat of such county, to register such voters as have failed to register, or been prevented from registering in their respective precincts, and to hear evidence in the cases of voters rejected by the registrars in the several precincts, who may desire to present testimony in their own behalf. VIII. Unless otherwise instructed hereafter, Boards of Registration are directed, in determining whether applicants to register are legally qualified, to hold that the terms "executive and judicial," in the act of Congress, March 23, 1867, comprise all persons, whomsoever, who have held office under the executive or judicial departments of the State or national Government-in other words, all officers not legislative, which last are also excluded by the act. Persons who apply to register, but who are considered disqualified by the boards, will be permitted to take the required oath, which, with the objections of the board, will be held for adjudication hereafter. IX. The lists of registered voters, for each of the precincts, will be exposed in some public place in that precinct, for ten consecutive days, at some time subsequent to the completion of the registration for each county, and before any election is held, in order that all supposed cases of fraudulent registration may be thoroughly investigated. Due notice will be given and provision made for the time and place for the examination and settlement of such cases. X. Blank-books of oaths, required to be taken by voters, and blank registration lists, as also full and detailed instruction for the performance of their duties, will be at once forwarded to the Boards of Registration, appointed in this order, and it is enjoined upon these boards that they proceed to complete the registration with all energy and dispatch. XI. The detailed instructions to registrars will designate the member of each board who shall be its president. XII. Violence or threats of violence, or any other oppressive means to prevent any person from registering his name, or exercising his political rights, are positively prohibited, and it is distinctly announced that no contract or agreement with laborers, which deprives them of their wages for any longer time than that actually consumed in registering or voting, will be permitted to be enforced against them in this district; and this offence, or any previously mentioned in this paragraph will cause the immediate arrest of the offender and his trial before a military commission. XIII. The exercise of the right of every duly au thorized voter, under the late acts of Congress, to register and vote, is guaranteed by the military authorities of this district; and all persons whomsoever are warned against any attempt to interfere to prevent any man from exercising this right, under any pretext whatever, other than objection by the usual legal mode. XIV. In case of any disturbance or violence at the places of registration, or any molestation of registrars or of applicants to register, the Board of Registration will call upon the local civil authorities for a police force, or a posse, to arrest the offenders and preserve quiet, or, if necessary, upon the nearest military authorities, who are hereby instructed to furnish the necessary aid. Any civil officials who refuse, or who fail to protect registrars, or applicants to register, will be reported to the headquarters of the officers commanding in the State, who will arrest such delinquents, and send charges against them to these headquarters, that they may be brought before a military commission. * # By command of Brevet Major-General Pope. * On May 14th a public meeting was convened at Mobile to hear an address by William D. Kelley, a member of the Lower House of Congress, and a warm advocate of the reconstruction measures of Congress. The meeting was broken up, before the speaker had reached the close of his address, by a disturbance or riot, accompanied with the discharge of firearms, by which one white and one colored person were so injured as subsequently to die. A coroner's inquest was held, at which the mayor of the city, J. M. Withers, testified as follows: * Was not at meeting Tuesday, May 14th, having left the business portion of the city after dark, passing by the place of meeting and finding it partially assembled. No special instructions were given to the police in reference to that special meeting, but the chief of police had instructions that he must attend all such meetings, with all the available force at his command, and prevent all interruptions and disorder, which instructions were repeated when informed by Mr. G. Horton, the day prior to the meeting of the 14th inst., that Senator Wilson and Judge Kelley were expected to address a meeting that night. * * * Deponent voluntarily added that he would do all in his power to prevent such interruption. No reference was made to disturbances of any other character, and none anticipated or thought of by deponent. The available police force spoken of as subject to the command of the chief of police, and which he had instructions to take with him to such night assemblages, consisted of twenty men, being the day police then relieved from duty. The night police, being much the larger force, are always placed on their beats through the city, with instructions to attend to the duties of their beats and not to leave them for fire or other alarms without special instructions so to do. The Federal military commander in the State, Major-General Swayne, made the following report: HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF ALABAMA, MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 20, 1867. Major-General John Pope, Commanding Third Military District, Atlanta, Georgia. GENERAL: Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you the report of Colonel O. L. Shepherd, 15th United States Infantry, commanding officer at Mobile, upon the recent riot in that city. Immediately upon hearing of the outbreak, I proceeded to Mobile in company with Brevet BrigadierGeneral William McKee Dunn, Assistant Judge-Advocate-General, and made personal inquiry into what had occurred. So far as I can learn, the disturbance was not apprehended or deliberately planned, unless possibly by a small party of ruffians, such as are usually found in cities. Nor do I find that, after it commenced, it was participated in by a large number of persons, but that, on the contrary, the scene was hastily abandoned except by the police, and by such parties of freedmen as gathered together for defence or from confusion or excitement. It seems that the speaker having been for some time interrupted by persons who should have been immediately removed, a single arrest was made. This was accompanied by the discharge of a pistol, after which a number of shots were fired at the stand occupied by the speaker and his friends. After a momentary lull, a large number of additional shots were fired, apparently without vindictive purpose, the weapons so far as known being pointed in the air. I do not find that a greater charge than timidity or inefficiency can be sustained against the police authorities of the city of Mobile. At the same time, freedom of speech and public order have been greatly outraged in that city, by an element which is active in the spirit of the rebellion, and presumes upon the sympathy of the police in this regard. This is sup ported by the antecedents of the police, and by the fact that but a single arrest was effected on the night of the disturbance. Sincere and earnest apprehension was expressed to me lest a collision of races, extended and disastrous, and involving with the fate of the colored people that of Union men in sympathy with them, should grow out of the impulse given by the recent outbreak. To prevent the possibility of this, I directed the post commandant to assume the maintenance of public order, to place guards at the headquarters of the different fire companies, to prohibit out-of-door assemblies after nightfall, to suspend the entire police force, and reappoint only such as were known to be trastworthy, and to summarily punish all disturbers of the peace. For the final suppression of the disorderly element above referred to, and to give confidence and support to those who have been heretofore the allies of the Government, I respectfully recommend that the control of municipal affairs be transferred to persons well known for their continuous loyalty to the United States. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, WAGER SWAYNE, Major-General. Previously to writing this report, and on the 16th, Major-General Swayne issued a telegraphic order from Montgomery, appointing Colonel O. L. Shepherd, Brevet Major George II. Tracy, and Lieutenant Charles II. Breckenridge, a court of inquiry" to examine into the recent riot and report upon the same. The proceedings of this court were subsequently discontinued by order of General Swayne, on the ground "that no new facts connected with the disturbance had been disclosed." On May 19th the following order was issued: HEADQUARTERS POST OF MOBILE, Į To prevent further violence growing out of the disturbed condition of affairs, the undersigned hereby assumes the maintenance of public order in the city of Mobile. The city police administration is hereby suspended. Special policemen or members of the old force will be employed when necessary, and appropriately designated. The several engine-houses will be made the stations of the provost guard. Breaches of city ordinances will be tried as heretofore. Violations of the public peace, or of existing orders, will be dealt with by the military authority. All out-of-door congregations after nightfall are prohibited. When public demonstrations are intended, notice must be filed, at the mayor's office, in season, to permit the presence of such force as may be deemed essential. Severe responsibility will attach to the publication of articles commending or inciting riot or violence to individuals, to the public use of incendiary language, and to the occurrence of disorder in rooms of public entertainment. 0. L. SHEPHERD, Col. 15th Infantry, comd'g. Detachments of soldiers were then stationed in the fire-engine-houses of the city as the most convenient stations to be had. At the same time Major Curtis was appointed provostmarshal, and it was ordered by Colonel Shepherd as follows: HEADQUARTERS, POST OF MOBILE, MOBILE, ALA., May 20, 1867. The police established by the municipal authorities of the city of Mobile will hereafter restrict their duties to the violations of city ordinances. Other crimes and offences against the laws, as also those against the military orders, will be tried by the proper magistrates and tribunals, and disposed of in orders from these headquarters respectively. constituted authorities, and upon all good citizens, to It is enjoined upon the municipal and the other report to the commanding officer of the post, and the officers of the provost guard, stationed at the fire-engine-houses, all violations of, or attempts against, the laws and good order in the city and its suburbs. paragraph of post orders No. 35, dated yesterday, is important to the reputation and welfare of the city. The cessation of offences, enumerated in the last The commanding officers of the provost guard will report to these Headquarters every violation and neglect of these orders, or those of yesterday, as soon as known or reported. O. L. SHEPHERD, Colonel 15th Infantry, commanding. On the 21st the following order was issued: General Orders, No. 40. HEADQUARTERS, POST OF MOBILE, MOBILE, ALA., May 21, 1867. The provost-marshal, Major Curtis, will not permit any one to bear large fire-arms through the streets without written permit. All depositories of such arms will be seized as soon as known. No searches will be made of persons passing peaceably along the streets. The enlisted men of the provost guard will not be allowed to leave their stations, except on duty, under proper officers, and then only by direct orders of the provost-marshal or his assistant, Lieutenant Brunck. Special care must be had that the members of the provost guard do not commit breaches of good order By order of Col. O. L. SHEPHERD. M. P. BUFFUM, 2d Lieut., 15th U. S. Infantry, Acting Post Adjutant. At a large meeting of the citizens, on May 16th, of which one-third are stated to have been freedmen, the following resolutions were adopted without dissent: Whereas, At a recent meeting held in this city on the night of the 14th of May, 1867, there were disturbances and disorders resulting in the most lamentable consequences; and whereas, this meeting is composed of the citizens of Mobile, and they desire to announce to the people of the country their unqualified disapprobation and hostility to all such acts: Therefore, be it 1. Resolved, That we deeply deplore the unfortunate occurrences that took place at the said meeting, and desire to express, in the strongest terms, our disapprobation of them. 2. Resolved, That we are of the opinion that the tated, and the result of an accidental excitement to disturbance at said meeting was wholly unpremediwhich all large assemblages are subject. 3. Resolved, That, in our opinion, our people are |