Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-16

the democracy OF Congress. Ard see at this
moment the influence of this vast concerted con
| spiracy In the utter CONSERVATION and disbaUd.
ment OF the democratic party in Congress-"
DREADFUL RIOTS AT PHILADELPHIA.
The Philadelphia papers give the painful
particulars of u series OF the most disgraceful
riots which occurred there on Monday. Tues
day and "Wednesday of last week. liappears
that on the Friday night previous the Native
Americans of the Third Ward held public
meeting. While the proceedings were i'm pro-
sress, an attack was made upon it by party
OF Irish catholics, who drove the Native A.
mericans from their stand, and, as is alleged.
took possession OF their flag and mutilla,ed il.
-Ihe meeting was re-assembled at another
place, where strong resolutions were adopled.
and II was agreed TO hold an adjourned meet
ing at the corner of Master anG Second streets
ON Monday aiternoon,' to express Indignation
a; the outrage of Friday evening, and "to take
the necessary steps to prevent repetition of
H." Accordingly a large meeting was held
on Monday at The place mentioned, and after
being in session II lille while, storm coming
up 1t moved over to the Washington market,
III Master street, between Second and Third. m
large body of Irish having assembled in the
neighbolhood, individual quarrels commenced.
and the meeting was attacked. The scene for
time was appalling. One or two thousand
persons were in the vicinity, and most of them
in state Of nigh excitement Firearms were
discharged; one Native American was killed.
one or Two Others were reported as dead, and
several were severely wounded. Stones and
Shn in oh
Native Americans reireated, but shortly after
rallied, and drove back the Irish, and one of
that party was considerably hurt, and several
houses in which they took shelter were attack
ed and damaged, by the breaking in of their
doors and windows
Alter this, the news of the riot having be-
come known IN the city, (Kensngion beng
without It's altered limits,) the Sheriff came
upon the ground, and there was cessation of
hostlltles but crowds of both parties occu-
pied corners oil The streets, exhibiting high
degree OF excitement, while the most cxagger-
ateu rumors prevailed as To the extent of the
loss OF lille occasoned by the forav, until a.
bout ten O'Clock, when another outbreak oc-
Cured. This was commenced by assailing a
house on Second street, from which firearms
had been discharged at the Native Americans;
the doors and windows of which were broken
IN, and the furniture on Inc lower, floor thrown
INTO The street. A cry was then rails ed of SEQ
TO The nnnnery," and the crowd proceeded 10
the Catholic school-house, the fence Of which
was set on fire, but the building itself was sue
cessiully defended by the discharge of success
sive volleys OF musketry from a house oppo-
site, which killed two men, and wounded Sc
verai others. This checked the aSsaanis
anu al twelve O'Clock some degree Of uue,
was again restored. Thus ended The riot TO,
that day
Early on Tuesday morning pacards were
posted throughout the city and districts, call
ing meeting of Native Americans. to be held
al 8 O'Clock, I'D Independence square Abou,
noon small party OF men and boys, of the
harGworking class, were seen bearing a large
American flag, and banner on which was in.
scrlbed "IhiS acaS He banner actich acas fraan.
pea by the IRISH Pdpists' TO the
act OF the Irish catholics at the American meet
ing OF The previous day, which they had nva
ded and fired upon. This exhibition was o.
course calculated To inhame the minds of al
who ielt before disposed to sympalhze witt
the American party.
At three o'clock the meeting assembled ac
cordng TO the call, in independence square
"''N""''"S w hOt itSo tiidD t1TeC thousand
but 1t was soon evident that they did not in
tend 10 remain there. The speakers did al
in their power 10 allay the excitement, but tc
no purpose. motion was made TO adjourn
TO the place Of the previous days meeting
which was carried by acclamation. They thel
moved oil IN procession TO Second and Mas
ter streets. While on the way they were ion
ed by man with gun in his hand. As the,
arrived at the market-house, and were proceed
ing TO organize, musket was fired in AMONG
them from one of the neighboring houses
Many OF the Native Americans at The first sbo
dispersed, but the man among them with the
! gun levelled his piece at the window from
which 1t was supposed 10 have come and sho
down person. lie declared that lie would
stand by the stripes and stars. He fired Sc.
cond time, when he was himself shot down
Thus one party alleges the battle commenced
bat the other party say that the first assault
was made by some boys, who were with the
! Americans, throwing stones at the houses In
the beginning the Americans had few arms
they rallied, however, and maintained the figh
with desperate perseverance, IN the oDen stree
ana from behind the pillars of the mark e
mouse, their assailants firing on them from the
houses. During the fight, the man who freC
'ne hrst gun, named John Taggart, fell into
me hands of the Americans he was knocked
gown "ith paving stone, and dreadfully
oeaten rope was then tied round mis- neck