Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-05-24
ll)concsoap, 4tlAn n3.

CJ The Coroner's JIry, which was holden
on those who were killed at the recent Opera
House Riot, in New York, concluded their
vcrdic, by expressing the opinion that 1t a lar
ger Police force had been called out IN seas
on, the loss Of lie might have been avoided
We were sorry to see this, because we think
that the authoritics Of New York pursued
precisely the correct and the only jusifable
course which they could. Mobs are very
dangerous affairs to deal with when any
cause real or imaginary, exists which arouscs
the baser passions Of men who cannot control
themselves, they act without judgment and
limit, and they are influenced by surrounding
Objects one acting upon the other, and the
greater the crowd and the more excited they
become, the more imminent is the danger, and
the more fearful the consequences. They
nullfy the law, and are determined to redress
what they conceive to be wrong, irrespective
of the result. Consequently, the slightest op-
position to their intentions, only aggrava te
them the more, and they will incur greater
danger, and run bolder risks, while maddened
by their excitement, until death stares tht m
so fully in the face, aud the long arm of
the law vindicaes lis majesty by frmness and
decision, and they are palsied before its right
full sway.
\ II is suicidal in the extreme TO fire over the
heads Of mob, or to fire blank cartridges at
! them ; such has been 81 old custom, AM they
always expect its repetition therefore, the
discharge Of fire arms, when they well know
there IS 20 danger, Gully exasperates and ex-
| cites them still mere and urges them to acts
Of greater violence and it.lni.y. After such q
vol!ey has been fired, and before a secon" o.
balls can be discharged, hundreds and even
thor@ nds, in proportion to the extent # the
riot, NAV be killed or seriously wounded BY
the mob and these are generally among the
Military, who arc the first objects of attack
at such moment, on the part of lawless ano
desperate gang of ruffians. Past experience
has taught us that when such collection O
men are assembled, and it is necessary to cal
in the aid Of the law to dispel them, the OIL,
safe aud wise course to pursue, after the ro
act has been read, and the necessary warning
ivcn, is to order the Military to hre directly
4 into the Mob, with the utmost precigi' n, do
| ing as much execution as possible Nothing
| has more salutary effect than this, and moth.
| ing will bring such men to thL.r senses quick.
! er than to see their comrades and companions
in not dropping around them. Ii is ever q
fearful thing to take human life, aud partcu
! larIy so whe.. W lcked men are hurried out o
existence without moments warning Blu
the laws must be sustained, the lives ant
cpcrty Of innocent and unoiiending mel
must be preserved and protected, and if thcr,
are those who will place themselves in sucl
imminent danger, and wildly invoke the pow
9 or of The law, they meet a fate of their ow,
seeking, and they lie in grave of their owl
I digging. Communities must not be cndau
, gercd, and human governments must not b.
triled with, forihe graf fcation Of the wick
ed.
+, The riots in Philadelphia in 1871 were IA
f more serious, and the results vastly more aw
y tul, IN consequence the authorities attempt
, ing TO suppress them, as long rs possible, b
the intervention of the Police had the Mil
C tary arm of the law been called in at once, :
1 result would have been Ear different.
= The mediate and the Immediate conscqueu
0 ces of such Il procedure as thi5 Al New Nm
- are highly beneficial, aud their mora! eff
D very sa'utary Pronpncss and decision ,
, thought aud action are always necessary, al
the more o III accordance with the cmcrCcl
d cy OF the case. The conduct Of the Mayo
d of New York, in this instance, reflects I'll
d highest praise on the man, aud shows mo.
r conclusive his qualifications for the Office. -
! This occurred during the first week or two
d his administration, and placed him in mo:
d forg nd responsible situation and we tru!
e that there are sufficient number of law-ab:d
ing and law loving voters in the city to stan
c by him, and to rc-eect him, at the expi-atio
It in his present term. The population Of Ne
Il York is so large, and is composed of such v;
It ried elements, that safety to life and securit
e to property absolutely require that the abes
y frmest and best men should fill the offices
i the government without this, no man is safe
= either in his existence or his possessions.
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