The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-07-18
THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS
IN PHILADELPHIA.

he IRESF.N SlA Il Of AFFAIRS
IN PHILADELPHIA,
We copy the subjoined article from the
Philadelphia Spirit of the Times. The
structures of our contemporary upon the re-
cent disturbances and the existing state Of
affairs in Philadelphia strike us as being iu-
dicious and correct.
"Philadelphia is in peculiar state of APP.
prehenSon and disorder. Our streets, in the
city proper, are filled with armed men,
whose heavy tread, gliStening musketS, and
apparel dusty with travel, fill the heart with
sadness sadness to think that a country of
laws, so blessed as is our own with a free
and liberal government, all this parapherna-
liza OF war is necessary to maintain the pub
lie peace.
This looks rcbeiion!' is the natural ex-
clamation of every stranger as he walks our
thoroughiareS; and in very truth it is nothing
| else. We have in our midst an armed and
organized body OF men, bent upon carrying
out their own objects in defiance of every
obstacle; and strange enough they are suS-
tained in their opposition to the laws aud
the constituted authorities by the pOpuiar
| teeling This is not so much the case with
in that limited and narrow coniine known as
the city; but in the dStrictS-particuar the
Districts of Southwark and Moyamcnsing
on the south, and Spring Garden and Ken
Sington on the North--the feeling is intense
against the military, and the populace as a
mass, men, women and children, Sympa-
thise earnestly and ardently with the riot.
erS.
This armed mob, thus aided by the popu,
lar feeling, have even compelled the author
tiles to succumb, aud at length the with
drawal of the troops from the field Of cOnten-
ton. The law has literally been vNuquish-
ed. 1t has yielded to compromise with its
violatcrS; and disguise the fact as we may
by pretty phrases and ingenious sophStry
the inference is inevitable that the rioters
have trinmphcd and that the law, abandon
ed by the people, has confessed its weakness
and surrendered the victory to its antago'
niSt>, We are now, in plain words, living
under mob rule. The military, after al
their SuileringS, are not only coolly subject.
ed to the modification of bcholding their op,
Iponents triumphant, but of witnessing those
Of the rioters who were killed, wrapped NJ
in the American flag, and borne to the grave
10 'hui Us w human ihucIiN' ~ ~ lNfIN
the troops will act with spirit upon another
occasion, il as a return for all their bravery
they are to be treated thus!
We are gratired, and so must be every
good citizen, at the cessation of the horrir
butchery aud bloodShed which has rendered
hidcous our streets. but we confess that We
are somewhat ashamed of the manner il
which the peace las been brought about
The Supremacy Of the Laws should be main
tanned at all hazards and under all crcum
stances. There should be no submission tC
Mob, for the power and influence of Mol
once confessed, and the dcSpotSm of the
Mob is forever established. We may have
peace now, but on every trilling occasion
the Mob will again assert its rights, and sus
tanned by precedent aud emboldened by pre-
viouS IMMUNITY, defy the laws and drmant
the most eXhogbitant concessions to its ma
eSty. We protest, therefore, against The
propriety OF the recent compromise. Tn,
Law should be able to compel obedience Il
It's mandates. The moment it yields. ouj
lives and our property are placed at The
mercy OF mcrciless hydra headed mon
Stor, and the idea of Protection, Of CIV.
il government, Of RepublicaniSm, become:
n farce too ridiculous for sober reason.
II will be recollectcd that the wing party
throughout the Union, uphold the rioters il
their course of disorder and bloodshcd. Lee
NJiErdiced .fcemen and every true citizen a.
venge these things at the Ballot Box.