Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-08-27
The Philadelphia RiOtS-Thcir Exciting eau
&s-Their Ultimate ReSuIts-The Signs
of the Times

discourse at the Washington street BAPTIST
Church, on Sunday evening. having refer
ence 10 the existence Of the mob spirit in
this country, as recently exhibited in the
riots at Phi ladelphia, and elsewhere-the
causes which have produced this state OF
things, and the necessity, for the preserva-
ton of our institutions, for the application
of restraining power TO check the down
ward tendency Of the public morals and to
create higher regard for law and right.
He looked upon these outbreaks, not as
the result of immediate causes-of passions
suddenly infamed-but as being produced
by variety of pre-existing evils abroad in
the land, which has generated a sentiment
adverse to the restraints Of law, and SUBJ
versive of the great principles of truth and
justice. This sentiment having become
established in the minds and hearts Of the
infamable portion Of the community, only
required " fitting opportunity to break forth
into overt ac:s Of violence and blood
Among these causes, the ultra partisan
spirit of the day, held a prominent place
While the right of men TO band together
for the promotion of political objects was
conceded. the evils and abuses which are,
or appear TO be, inseparable from such
organizations, were pointed out and de-
nounced in strong and truthful terms
When in candor. and free from prejudice
or bias, we calmly consider tho means re-
sorted TO by political partisans for the ac-
compllshment of their ends, we can but
.ook upon their effect as highly dele,erious
to public morals and subversve Of the fun
damenlal principles of government the
virtue of the public sentiment There is
nothlng of private worth or public integrity
free from its poauting touch. The sanctty
of the fire side is invaded, and exposed to
the ruthless assaults of pariisanshlp. as well
as the public acts of public men. Worth
and the highest moral character are no
shield against the shafts of SANDER and de-
traction which are hurled with fearful ve-
nom against all who stand in tie way of
advancement Of those opposing them. -
FalsehooG, deceit, and unprncipled strata
gle are applauded and upheld-fraud and
corruption are sanctioned and shielded,
prov 'ded their results only inure to the be-
nefit OF party. Freedom Of thought is fet
tered, and independence chained down.
The man is merged in the purtisan, and he
acts only in accordance with the iron rule
imposed by the leaders. Party is substi,u-
ted for country, and its interests made par
amount TO the calls Of patriotism. The
minds of individuals, thus becoming accus-
toned to the intrigues and corruptions Of
politics. carry them with them into the other
relations of life, AID as communities are
made up Of persons, an unhealthy and de.
based public sentiment, gradually, slowly,
and surely, lake possession Of the body
polite. which is seen and felt in its terrible
.orm, in the recent outbreaks Of mob vo-
lence, which in the history Of or country
have had no parallel. To prevent such a
state Of things-or rather to reform that
which already exists-it were necessary
that different system Of political action be
adopted-founded upon truth, justice and
patriotism, chaStened by that spirit Of reli-
! gon, which forms the only firm basis of a
nations prosperity, and the only safe
guard 20 the institutions Of liberty and equa-
Irty. The one which now exists, was gra-
dual!y, and almost imperceptibly- though
none the less surely and notwithstanding
us down to that condition, where n resort
TO despotism might be our only refuge from
the horrors Of anarchy. AS men, as pat
riots. as christians, then, all were called
upon to lend helping hand in the great
work of reforming the politics Of the coun-
try-in Topping off their abuses, and in an
uproo,ing Of those things which were of
evil and debasing tendency.
The action Of The general government,
too, had not been without its effect in pro-
ducing The result which has been alluded
to. The disregard Of the treaties with the
Indian tribes-their oppression, and cruel
and wanton treatment, during the whole
history OF our country, was but a recore Of
broken faIth-of unmitgated wrong, for
which there was no apology-no excuse,
save that of crpediency, and the possession
of power! How could it be expected tina,
such things, done in the open Ii ght of day,
by the government Of great nation, could
be without their influence in creating and
forming public sentiment adverse to the
growth and extension Of right.
Inscmperance was regarded as a grca,
and immediate. exciting cause of the out
breaks which have recently disgraced the
country. 1t was Ike spark introduced
into a magazine already surcharged with
infiameatle matter, which caused it imme-
diateIy to burst forth into a consuming
flame. What the minds and hearts of the
vicious were prepared TO do BY the other
causes alluded 10, this gave them strength
nerve to perform. II is the very diiment,
on which feeds the demon of blood and ra-
pine, and yet, as strange as it may seem.
i: is sanctioned, and the means and instru-
ments of making it abound in the land, are
upheld and protected by our laws For a
few dollars, men are permitted TO light the
incendiary torch, and TO whet the assassn's
dagger 1t is true, we have our orphan
asyIums, and our poor houses-our jails
and our state prisons, for the accommoda-
ton of the widows and orphans, ond pau
pers and criminals which intemperance
creates, yet we tell men, for paltry con-
sideration, TO go on in their traffic and fill
them. Admirable contrivances Mos,
beautiful inventions Of our law makers,
thus to arrange system of civil, social
and moral polity, whose every part works
together in such harmony! We have our
military companies and our fire companies,