Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-02
PHILADELPHIA, May 81


PHILADELPHIA, May 81.
Yesterday was the last day assigned by the
act Of the legislature for the PEOPLE to subscribe
for the stock of the Western Bank. As Fifty
shares might be taken by each person on this
last day, the struggle and excitement were com.
mensurately increased-W were among the
spectators OF the scene during few minutes Of
yesterday. 1t is impossible, without rendering
ourselves liable to the charge Of exaggcration, to
give an adequate idea Of the disgracefui and in
human proceedings. There were probably 5000
spectators--many Of them, however, interested
in the struggle that was going on among those
who were attempting to force their way to the
window and obtain scrip. These latter, about
three hundred, were for the most part stout and
athletic men, large proportion of them stripped
Of every vestment but their pantaoons and shoes,
and many Of them distinguished by black eyes,
bruised limbs, and gashed faces-sad indications
of their struggles for stock.
The building from which the stock was dis.
pensed is four story brick house, On the north
side of Market street, and Immediately below
Twelfth. All its lower windows were closed.
and over the one through which the stock was
delivered, boards were nailed, through which
was solitary aperture sufficiently large to adj
nit two hands at one time. Around this win
dow was phalanx OF men, wedged together as
compactly as living beings could be "edsed,
some of them wrthiug and struggling to, to reach
The ansTSYHTs Sbhsrs outward in order
to save their lives. Many were dragged out
like dead bodies, after ropes had been attached 70
their limbs. Not one fifth of those who reach'
ed the windows were able tn remain there SUI
fcient length Of time for the Commissioners 10
take their money and hand them their cer'Ifl, ates
| and some who had accomplished this OBJECT,
were 80 weakened and exhausted by the ehort'
that their certificates fell from their nerve'ess
hands before they could effect their escape
Shouts. huzzas, cheers and Impressions were
| blended; and while some attempted to revive Inc
strength and protract the courage OF their iriends
by tanning, &C. others adopted another P'an'
and administered to them potations OF whiskey.
| We observed several of the constables present,
with the object Of preventing fights, and oil keep
ing order. They effected their utmost, were
activ and vigilant, and removed all they could
Law hands upon the moment the law was tran
scended.
The scene was disgraceful, shocking to hu'
manity, and discredtabe to the character OF the
city. Many Of those present appeared 20 enter;
tain the opinion that the fault was IN me Aa'o ana
the makers of the law should be held response
lble. Others appeared to think that the law. al
Though bad one, was not literally and disin
terestedly construed by the Commissioners, and
that instead of there being but one window open,
there should have been twenty or at all events ar
adequate number.
All appeared to think that the Commissioner
disposed Of the stock impartially, and with al
much rspidity a. possible. 1t was stated Oh TIL
] | ho oi
day before through exhaustion, died that even
ling. Certain it Is, that many we're shockinglyy
cut and bruised. and it is equally certain that
very large majority OF our citizens consider I'M
law makers as grossly culpable. and will. al
they ought, adopt every means calculated to pre-
vent the passage Of similar acts, and the conse
gent recurrence Of similar disgraceful proceed
ings.
p. S. Since writing the above we have beer
informed that when the window was finally
closed, al three O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
many hundred shares Of the stock were not dis
posed Of, and hence at the command of the Com
missioners.
Modification and Confscation. I'm the Gam
den Journal of the Goth, we find the following
certificate. Mr.. Long is averred to be gentle
man whose character is beyond the reach OF at
tack. Judge Prioeau is distinguished member
Of the Notification Party; these we presume, are
his sentiments; but it is not fair to hold any par
ty responsible for the extravaganza or vice o
any one Of its members. much less to infer thei
universal or general concurrence because partl
cular sentiments have been expressed by one per
son of figure among them. This would be re
versins the rule of legitimate deduction, andPos
sibly founding the conclusion upon the erespf'on
GREENvILLE C. H. May 49,.
Mr.. Editor-As you have been called on To-
the author Of theIinformation respecting the fhrea
of a eonfseat,on Of property, made by some
; the State Rights party. will state what occur
red IN COW rsation between Judge Prioleau ant
myself, in the stage, between Augusta and 40
beville court house.