Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-22
GREAT POPULAR MOVEMENT

PHILADELPHIA, May 1--we extract from the Penn.
syvania Inquirer, the following of tumult
which took place at the Pennsylvania Hall last evening
The crowd assembled at an early hour and proceeded at
once, with quiet resolve to effect their purpose The
police of the city did all that could be done 10 oue the
tumut Our intrepid Mayor, O~l Swift reoared 10 the
spot soSy v s ~ 5 Ct psh
allow him pass the Hall but the instant that the OIL
cers to arrest those engaged in the work OF
distractions the populace fell upon lhem and the police
force was of defeated and scattered No police
could unless backed by military force have avered the
destruction Of the Hall The crowd must have comprised
from twenty five TO thirty thousand men, generally re-
spectacle and we'll dressed and determined almost to
man. TO protect from interruption the immediate agents
in the destruction of the building: The whole affair
took place without unnecessary violence or noise. ne
remeu seemed fully participate n the feelings OF tn:
assembled populace and though the surrounding houses
were completely protected not drop OF water Tell up
on the building devoted 10 destruction we saw no
drunken persons in the crowd, and heard OF no tights
except the brief conflict with the police. OF course
every good Citizen every who desires 10 see the SUI
preacy of the laws maintained must regret and repro
bate proceedings fihs character. II must however be
admitted that the excitement which has led to this un.
happy affair." is wide spread and inense-Ga2et.e
A TUMuLT.-We have various accounts OF tuuult
which is said to have occurred on wednesday evening
in front of the Pennsylvania Hail. IN Sixth sireet ABOVE
Arch The Hail. is well known has just been built
and the ceremonies of dedication had been IN progress
since Monday last II is stated that about 3UOO persons
had assembled within lis walls on Wednesday evening"
u
the audience being females At the close OF NJ Carl
sons address, learn from the National Gazetle
the crowd outside became very noisy II IS ADDED, mrs
Maria Chapman Of Boston, then addressed the meeting
for several minutes. She was followed by Mrs Ange.
lea f Grmke Weld, Lucrela Mott, OF this city, ana
Abby Kelly In the meantime the crowd increased and
became uuruly and threw various missiles at the
windows further injury done than breaking the
glass the blinds inside protected the audience. Al
quarter before ten, the company retired amid the cries
and groans Of the mob who blocked up the street on
every side. One black knocked down with
club
tits estimated that at one time as many 5000 per-
sons were assembled outside, and great excitement pre-
vailed. The coored persons in the Hall were let out
the back way, and were, might be supposed dread
fully alarmed Those of the crowd, however, who were
Iolousy disposed comparatively but few in num-
Der, the grea mass being mere lockers on
Destruction of Pennsylvania HaH-The popular ex.
cisement growing Of the dedication OF
Hail. and the attending circumstances, reached fearfni
pitch throughout yesterday. The tumuit OF the preVi'
Gus night the theme of all tongues thousand ex-
ravagan stories circulated and the apprehension
became general, that the night would not pass by with
out still more fearful and exciting During the
day, the Hall open. and. believe, ono or tue
Lectures delivered At noon from 100 TO 20o per
congregaed in front Of the buildings and the num-
Der continued increase an6 the sensation to become
stronger until towards shutdown, when thousands from
every section of the city and county, poured in dense
masses towards the scene; and by ocock there mus
have been of Ten Thousand persons, OF al
told made his appearance at early hour and closed
the doors of the Hail. Notwithstanding was understood
that Society would meet there in the evening, or the
purnose Of discussion We need scarcely state that rs
the crowd increased the excitement waxed WARMER
The FIRST demonstrations Of attack were made upon the
windows which were thrown at, from numerous hands
a"n from every direction.
his movement followed up by an attempt 10 force
e aoo's, which first did not succeed the e11orts
ho"s'ef were redoubled, and an entrance speeo
e'ec'eo The next step was breaking the seats, gar
a"u furniture in the interior. The fragments u u
were hastily gathered together in the centre OF the
ai' n"u loren applied. The gas pipes were cut and
mue communicated 10 The streams that issued forth
are 'he statements Of the night; for with the con
hcung Iunors IN circulation it was impossible 10 disco
yer any authenticated of the more deliberate
preliminary steps The alarm Of FIRE was speedily
gwen, and the vast multitude re echoed the cry The
Stale house bell also rang out aud the engines and fire
men poured IN win their apparatus which they speedily
put in readiness for action.
The crowd by this time had swollen 10 an immenss
magnitude and not only Sixth from Arch to Race
presented dense mass Of human beings, but all thu
streets and alleys adjacent thronged with cage
and excited spectators The alarm spread throug!
The cy-a few hasty particulars passed from mouth t.
mouth, and the apprehension was far greater anon
toe who had not opportunity of witnessing the pro
sSs OF the flames, than the immediate spectators Of III
scene
Inns was NATURAL the Hall being located in one of III
ueHeey populated parts Of our city; within stone
bp,So@ The Arch Street Theatre and number Of fran
feared - beng in the immediate neighborhood, it wa
~ sa a', no matter how well directed the efforts Q
''sh' nor how liberal the supply Of water, the