Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-08-20

eiuzens ana their property, and 10 as
sert and maintain the supremacy Of the
laws-these measures, We say, had the
desired effect. The moment the citi-
zens marched from the Exchange, un-
der the veteran General SMITH, and
the American standard was seen waving
in the air, riot and rebellion ceased.
Ne signs Of tumultuous assemblage
Of any sort, were visible throughout last
night. The highest praise is certainly
due to the, citizens for the prompt man
ner in which they, even at so late q
period. rallied 10 stay the ravages ofthe
rioters, and protect our citizens. No
thing. throughout this series Of outrages,
has been wanting but disposition on
the part Of the great body Of our citi-
zens, to discountenance the lawless pro-
ceedings, and vigorous action, and to
carry such disposition into effect. Had
the same measures which were adopt
ed yesterday and successfully carried
into effect. been taken on Saturday, no
houses would have been plundercd-
no blood would have been shed. But
from some cause or other, there SEEM
ed TO be manifested strange-an I'M
accountable apathy, kind of panic on
the part Of large proportion of our
citizens, while the work of desolation
was going on.
The civil authority on Sunday, ap-
lpeared to be extinct---it was no where
to be seen OF felt. Had IL showed itself,
and called upon the citizens present 10
assist, in bold and manly tones, We con-
6dently believe thousands would have
flown to the rescue and the rioters would
have either been captured or dispersed.
The scenes oflast Sabbath can never
be erased from the memories of those
who witnessed them. Thousands Of
citizens were 10 be seen on Charles-st.
throughout the day witnessing the work
Of demolition carried on by some fifty
persons, almost all apparently under
twenty years Of age-somc not over
twelve-and several Of them quite in
toxicated with the wine they had found
upon the premises. Some of them
were cutting up the interior of the house
with axes--some attempting to cut up
the roof-somc cursing and swearing
some hurraing-and many Juggling off
the bottles Of wine they had found
and other spoils of their work. All this
was dono, and more, much more, in
the presence of thousands-and not q
hand was raised against the proceed
ings. In the night, when the destruc-
tion Of Mr.. Johnson's house took place,
the scene became more appalling. And
yet the deeds Of band Of perhaps one
or two hundred men and boys, were
witnessed In the most profound silence
by, it is supposed, fifteen or twenty
thousand people.
The rioters seeing these things, tho't
the city was their own, and naturally
concluded that they could tear down
and destroy whatever they pleased
They went on in their work Of de-
struction, pulling down and clearing
out the other dwellings we mentioned
yesterday. II seems they exercised a
forbeanng spirit towards Evan PoULT-
NEY, the President of the late Bank of
Maryland, for on appearing before his
residence, he met them at the door,
and as VIC are informed, told them that
neither the house nor furniture belong
ed to him-confessed the great error he
had committed and said he had made
all the amends in his power. but if they
wished to take possession of the house
or TO lay violent hands upon him, he
should make no resistance. One of the
party replied in substance, as the pro-
perry was not his and as he had con-
fesscd his sins, they would let him Off
they only sought those who undertook
tojustify themselves.-They then gave
shout and passed on.
The destruction of the Mayors fur
niture, Mr.. Morris's also, and the at
tacks made upon the property Of other
citizens whose only fault consisted in
their having taken an active part against
the destruction of private property by
the rioters, had the effect at last TO rouse
the citizens to a sense of their duty
They took their stand yesterday, and
did what, we doubt not, they all wish
had been done three days before. We
hope and believe the city is now safe,
and that an end has been efIectually
put to riotingS and disorder. One thing
is certain, the present organization will
be kept up so long as there remains the
least shadow OF disposition to disturb
the tranquility Of the city.
We observe that the reports abroad
in the newspapers, relative to the num-
Der killed and wounded. is greatly ex-
aggerated. We have heard up TO thi,
time Of but four deaths, and Of about
twenty wounded--the latter may turn
out TO be somewhstlarger. but we think
not, and several Of these received their
injuries from missiles thrown at them.
The Mayor Of the city, JESSE HUKT,
Esq, resigned bis Office yesterday az.
ternoon, much to the surprise Of many
The duties Of the station. now devolve
upon the President Of the First Branch
Of the City council. Gen. A. MiLTEN.
BERGER, who has issued notices 10 thz
rifixena vrhirh vviff ba fnund IN to-d.,,S.