Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-05-25
The New Yonr D1rrrcuLrrrs-The pa.

The NEW York D1FFIcULTIEs-The pa
pers are engaged in a discussion as 10 who is
responsible for the mournful loss of life atten-
dant upon the late riots in New York; some
laying the blame upon the authorities. some
upon Mr.. Macready, some upon Mr. Forrest,
and others upon the committee who wrote to
Macready. requesting him to appear in def
ance of the opposition which had been svin-
ced upon the Monday preceding the night of
the riot. That, in such cases, no party is al
together blameless, we believe, and that it is
sometimes difficult to get at proper under
standing of the matter, is also certain But
that there are great principles which should
not be lost sight of, when attempting to form
an opinion, is equally unquestionable, and one
of these great principles is, that society guar
antees to each and every one OF its members
the full right to pursue his or her lawful call
ing, without fear or molestation, and any in
fringement of this right, come from .chat quar-
ter 1t mag, is, SO far as it goes, violation of
this principle. which nothing but the direst
necessity can justify. Now, hearing these
premises in mind, we are at loss TO under
stand the reasoning of several of the New
York. and even some of the Philadelphia and
Washington papers who urge that the author
tiles should have closed the Theatre in order
to prevent the riot, which was threatened in
the event of its being opened. And this they
urge upon the score of "prevention Now,
the plain English of this is, that the authori-
ties should have constituted themselves into
mob for the preservation of the peace. A sem
sible conclusion, certainly. No one will pre-
tend that the rioters had any right to prevent
the performance neither will any one pretend,
that, under ordinary circumstances, the au-
thorities would have had any right. Where,
then. could they get the right in the present
instance Would the threats of the mob JUS
tify them. We think not We believe that
civil authority is instituted 10 prevent mob vio-
lence,-not to register and enforce its DEGREES.
If, upon threat of illegal violence by any bo-
dy Of men, the authorities are called upon not
only not TO protect persons in the exercise OF
their lawful calling, but actually to interfere
10 prevent their exercising it, we think ii
would be better TO have no authorities at ALL
Thus much for the actual legal right, the mo.
raj right of those concerned is another thing
and upon this point we fully agree with those
who censure the committee that urged Macrea.
dy to brave the Indignation of the mob by ap.
pearing on the night on which the riot oc.
CURED. 1t was certainly an ill-judged act, and
men of their intelligence should have known
the terrible responsibility they incurred by sc
doing. Macready was stranger, and acted
under their direction, and the blame of the at
fair justly attaches TO them. But they were
not alone, nor even chiefly TO blame. The
4 chief fault was imprudence or Indifference II
results which, however painful they proved
TO be, they had no hand in producing. Thu
true malefactors are those who, working up
on the prejudices of the least educated, and, o
course, more excitable class OF city popula
ton, endeavored, with too much success, t,
infuse bitter national feeling into matte
with which it had no connection. Art OF lite
nature knows no nationality, but claims affini
ty with refinement and civilization, whereve
they are found and when any man descend
to make appeals TO prejudice of this kind, il
order to crush rival, he forfeits all claim II
the true spirit of an artist or a gentleman =
That Mr.. Forests influence lay at the bottom
of this thing, appears from the fact that NJ
opposition was manifested at any point, saw
New York and Philadelphia, one the birth
place and the other the residence of Mr.. For
rest, and where he possesses an influence witt
: the "b'hoys" unequalled by any man in tn
country.