Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-07-19
THE RIOTS IN PHILADELPHIA.

No event that has occurred for many years has so
filled the hearts Of all true patriots with grief and
shame, and dark forebodngs, as the recent out
breaks and disturbances at Philadelphia. These
emotions and apprehensions are not caused by the
fact that dozen lives have been lost, and hun
dreds more endangered, but by the much more
rious and alarming fact, that in one of our oldest,
most peaceable and orderly cities, there has been
manifestation of insubordinaton and contempt Of
law and its minister's upon the part Of thousands of
its citizens, that betokens state of public feeling
that only needs to become general and widespread,
to make institutions solemn farce, and reduce
us from being nation governed by law and con-
sttution, to condition Of wild, savage anarchy,
compared with which, the despotism of Nicholas
would be an nconceivabe blessing. The oe-
CASTOR Of these outbreaks sinks into comparative in
significance before the deep-seated cause. 1t is of
little consequence whether in giving this OCCASION
the Catholics or the Native Americans are most to
blame, it is what the occasion has developed and
brought forth, that darkly threatens the stability Of
free institutions and diffuses the patriots cheek
with indignant shame. 1t has developed the start
ling fact that in the city OF brotherly love there
are thousands of all ranks and classes who are
h ready when they deem the cause sufficient, TO set
the law at defiance, oppose and if need be attack
and destroy its officers. And these thousands hare
trampled upon the civil power and dictated terms
to the military, and although now, 'Order reigns in
Warsaw it is only because of the presence of an
overpowering military force. The mob spirit is not
destroyed quelled. 1t exists in full vigor, ready
at the removal of the military, to go on with its
work of destruction.
| ILL., Al.
that whenever there is popular feeling against
the execution Of law, it is to be trampled on and
set at defiance, is checked stayed in its devastating
progress, we may as well bid farewell to any hopes
of permanence in our neutrality-suspicious. this
experimental Republic failure and a free popular
government impracticable, Our government is
emphatically government of laws. The laws are
the true embodiment of the popular will 1t at any
time they are oppressive, they may be altered. If
their machinery is used illegaily-to Cypress rather
than to work out Justcethe officers of the law are
liable to its penalties But if the law itself is to be
set at naught and violated with impunty, no man
is secure in life or property If il may be violated
in one respect it may in another, and the man who
invades another's rights to-day, may have his own
| invaded tomorrow.
For ourselves, notwithstanding these lamentable
manifestations OF spirit of insubordination in some
sections of our country, we have an abiding faith
that there is conservative power in the people,
that will correct these and save the country
These examples of characterization and breach of
law carry with them powerful antidote They
are followed by awful consequences The la,o soiu
be rindioated, and the transgressoys punished.
In this crisis it becomes every wel-wsher 10 his
country to cultivate in himself deep practical and
theoretical reverence for the laws, and teach it TO
all over whom he has influence. Let obedience to
the la,cs' be every where nculca,ed essential
duty. Let ii be taught to the young, and let them
be invoked by their love of country and their hopes
of its welfare, and by their desire for the freedom
| OF mankind, ever to obey the laws.