The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-15
The Recent TRAGEDY.

Now that the public mind becomes calm and
composed, and the facts connected with the late
distressing occurrences, at Astor Place, are de-
veloped, we are happy to perceive that the whole
affair is subjected to the ordeal of sober and dis
passionate examination. The community have
been taught several important lessons by these oc-
Currences.
In the most impressive and solemn manner, the
public have been admonished that idle curiosity
to see what may be done by riotous assemblage
Is not to be INDUCED in with impunity. Had all
the peaceably disposed persons, who swelled the
multitude assembled on that fatal night, stayed
away or left the ground, on the appearance of the
military, we should not have had so much occasion
OF mourning on account Of this disastrous affair.
Undoubtedly, the vast congregation of passive
spectators gave "aid and comfort" to the rioters.
Had it not been for the presence Of those peaceful
orderly, innocent thousands, who would see all
that was going on, under the impulses of that
strange love of excitement which seems to be so
irresistible with the great mass Of humanity in
cities, one hundred policemen, with their slaves,
could, at any time, in our opinion, have dispersed
the rioters, and the ground could have been occu-
pied by the military, without the shedding of one
drop of blood. But quietly, coolly, and most culpa-
bly,, the crowds of curious spectators remained on
the ground, shielding, covering, backing, sustain
ing, by their passive presence, the mscreants who
assalled the theatre and stoned civil and military
guardians of the public peace. The fatal result is
before u.s. Let the sad lesson thus conveyed never
be forgotten
The conduct of the military this most trying
occasion, was suggestive of several important con-
siderations. We cannot imagine q spectacle at
once so affecting and SO consolatory, that of
troops composed Of citizen soldiers, drawn from
the great body of the people, and performing volun
tarly and gratuitousy the military services which
the State may demand, yielding prompt and I'M
inching obedience to the orders called for by the
stern necessity of the occasion. No true Amer-
can citizen, no one really attached to Free popular
institutions, can fail to recognise in this feature of
the business one Of the most significant and prac-
teal evidences of the excellence and utility of our
republican institutions. SO long as this reveren-
tia and implicit fidelity to the laws exists among
US, we need not fear any successful inroad upon
the peace and order of the State, from either
foreign or domestic assailant.
Its not tobe forgotten that, as the great metropo
las of the Union, New York has become invested
with peculiar responsibilities. She is, in sense,
an exemplar to the other great and populous COM
munltes Let all see 10 IL, that this great city
maintains, with mistaken frmness and unspotted
honor, the high moral dignity of its position. Law
and order must be maintained. Mobocracy,
wherever it may be found, whatever name it may
assume, under whatever disguise 1t may present
itself, must be not only encountered, but crushed
into utter and helpless impotency. Such, we
doubt not, is the pervading feeling OF this great
community; and, heart-rending have been the
late events, they will not be without lasting good
effects.