Star.
London, England, 1819-09-20 00:00:00

PAISLEY, SEPTEMISER le.

EXTRACT OP A PRIVATE LETTER.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

ge On Monday, when the town was crowded with
a vast concourse of very mischievous-looking people,

young and old—when it was evident that no person
whom any one of the crowd chose to mark out was
safe—when the Riot Act was read, at one, and the
few Cavalry preparing to act—at this time the Com-
missioners of Police, two respectable householders in
each Ward, were desired to call together,
.in their
Wards, the well-disposed inhabitants, and arrange a
place of rendezvous, where they might meet, if oc-
casion required, to aid in keeping the peace in their
several districts. The result of a number of these
Meetings is one of the most distressing of all the cir-1
cumstances that have taken place. Instead of the
householders frankly and manfully coming forward
to aid the Civil Power, and co-operate with the Con-
stabulary and Military in repressing the riot, many,
in the Wards I allude to, when assembled, insisted on
first discussing the point—Who raised the riot?
" Although mildly remonstrated with, that this
was not the purpose for which they were met, but to
arrange how they most effectually could aid in quel-
ling it, the friends to civil order insisting that, if our
neighbour's house was on fire, it was not seasonable
to discuss who had kindled, but to help rather to put
out the fire. This and such reasoning satisfied but a
few. Even individuals of the Reform Committee
joined in pressing these views; but the majority hav-
ing made up their minds, founded on malicious cla-
mour, that the Magistrates had raised the riots by
seizing the two flags carried by the corps who were
returning to Glasgow on Saturday, and their em-
ploying the Baton-men (extra Constables), declined,
to aid the Constables. They would not even allow
any Constables to be with them, though it was pointed
out as necessary, for appearance sake, to prevent the
Cavalry from attacking them, as the latter had orders
to disperse all assemblies, except of Constables. They
chose rather to run that risk ; and to shew their ad-
vancement in the science of civil rule and manage-
ment, proposed to wait, each inhabitant within his
own entry, and to rush out and act,against the mob
as they appeared ; but no Baton-man who had acted
on Saturday or Sunday, yea, though he laid aside his
obnoxious insignia, could be admitted into these im-
partial, constitutional, discreet bands. Still they were
willing to act alone, and sent this intimation to the
Sheriff and Magistrates. It is needless to say, such
proposals could not be acceded to. This is a descrip-
tion of a moderate Ward : others went farther ; some
would act together in their streets, if the Constables
were dismissed ; some insisted, I understand, on also
sending away the Military ; others would act under
the Sheriff in this way, but not under the Magistrates.
Generally, much abuse was cast upon the Constables,
although it is now found, after inquiry has been
made, that these men (few in number, .I believe only
about 100, or at most 120) did, at the imminent risk
of their lives, make great; and in many instances
effectual exertions to restore order, when a town,
containing about 35,000 inhabitants, was in the hands
of an outrageous mob, and not a soldier, but a re-
cruiting party or so, to aid. So great was their mo-
deration, that they suffered much from blows with
stones ; and though a case might occur that a man
thus provoked might use his baton a little more
freely against determined opposition, I do not yet
hear of any authenticated case of serious injury done
to any by them.

I am, however, happy to be able to assure you,
that some other Wards viewed the call of the Ma-
gistrates to aid the constabulary, in a proper light,
and the householders readily offered to assemble, and
did assemble, in case of need ; but the Military and
Constables were sufficient for the duty, one hundred
and ten Infantry coming in before; dinner on Mon-
day. These districts, though they might differ indi-
vidually on political subjects, agreed, without discus-
sion, to be subject to the Civil Power, and act firmly
for the preservation of their lives and property. These
Wards contained more of the mercantile people and
master manufacturers than the others.

If Some people here have serious fears that the
leeaseless activity of What is styled Radical Reform,
has been too successful in instilling into the minds of
our reading operative population, a dislike to all the
present order of things and a confident expectation
that all the evils of .poverty, taxation, and dull trade,
will be instantly removed by adopting the remedies
these writers suggest. You will not be at a loss to
see the effects of such sentiments continually pressed
on the rising generation. Every lad of 12 to 18 years
is able to discuss when and how he should obey the
superior powers ; nay, to such practical lengths was
this liberty carried during these few days, that some
individuals were seen standing on the street or pave-
ment arguing with the Dragoons, who, with much
care, were brandishing their sabres to terrify the ob-
stinate and to induce them to go home. Some after
one or even two touches with the flat side of the
sabre, continued insisting they had as good a right to
be out as the Dragoons had. A third slap generally
convinced these politicians to give up the point. The
Cavalry or Infantry cut no person ; these scenes
passed after the Riot Act was read, and all under-
stood the streets were to be cleared by the Military.
" Seven years ago, when the operatives struck
work, and the streets were much more crowded than
at this time (at least as far As I remember) Po out-