The New York herald., 1849-05-10
f N G l. I S II r. U L E

| AMEKlCANS
ENGLISH RULE
| IN THIS CITY?
| The Crew of the British steamer have
| Threatened all Americans who shall dare TO
| express their opinions this night at the
ENGLISH AR1STOCRATIC OPERA HOUSE!
| We advocate no violence, but free expression of
opinion TO all public men.
RKIN M IN! FREEMEN
| STAND by YOUR
| LAWFUL RIGHTS!
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE.
| This is certainly bod and daring step on the
part of the rioters and unless the Mayor, police,
| and public authorities, aided and assisted by the
| committee who have invited Mr.. Macready to the
| fed-unless they manage the affair with more
skill than Matsell and hismen did Monday night,
| the b'hoys may be able to accomplish their work
| second time, and drive Macready again from the
| stage. 1t is, therefore, very curious question in
law and government as well as theatricals, which
| is now mooted, and which will be determined to-
| night at the Astor Place theatre. Shall an Or
ganized mob or the public authorities conquer p
AS to the pretext put forth, that the seamen of the
British steamer in this port has intended to take
the course attributed to them IN the hand-bill, we
do not believe there is word of truth or reality in
the matter
We have heard, indeed, that many of the rioters
say they have precedent in the history of thea
trcas in this city, for persisting in the resolution
that Mr. Macready shall not make his appear
ance again, for some years at least, after having
been driven once from the stage The precedent
to which they refer, is that of the case of Mr.
Wood, who happened to get into quarrel with
critic attached to the Courier and Enquirer. The
energetic proprietor of thatournal organized high
y respectable mob, went to the Park theatre, and
drove both Mr. and Mrs. Wood from the stage of that
establishment, and the former for while from every
American stage thereafter. The riot was managed
with great skill and generalship-even brigadier
gcneralshlp-and we believe if the talent displayed
on that occasion had been properly employed by
Mr. Polk, when certain application was made,
he might have succeeded in finishing the war
with Mexico sooner than he did. The manage
ment of the mob on last Monday night, and the
generalshIp displayed on the occasion, was very
good, but certainly not superior to that which
characterized the Wood riot at the Park theatre.
Both generals deserve consideration.
Now, it is well known that it considered
a settled case, that Wood should never appear
again on the American stage. But he did
appear again. In Mr.. Macready's case, there
is like difference of opinion, and similar
crisis. The respectable, literary, and philosophical
portion of the city are determined that he shall
appear again, and have the decision of Monday re-
versed tonight. If they are properly support
ed by the Mayor and police, and if there cou-
rage and capacity in Washington Irving and his
associates, to act with as much skill they write,
we rather think that Mr.. Macready will succeed,
and be permitted to play his engagement, and act
before all those who wish to see him in his fine
characters.
Under these views, we think that although there
may be much excitement around town to-day, and
good deal of threatening about certain corners,
we do not believe there will be any successful at
tempt to drive Macready from the stage tonight.
The conduct of the rioters, on Monday night, has
reused the feelings of order and propriety in the
community, to such an extent as will render all
attempts at riot utterly Intellectual and impract-
cable. The newspaper press, with some incon-
siderable exceptions, is also very strongly in favor
of order and justice in the business. Mr. Ma
cready himself has committed no offence against
an American audience, not even against Mr.. For
rest, notwithstanding all that Forrest has written
the contrary, all that Chevalier Wikoff has in
s,lled into his too credulous ear. The rioters will
be well licked tonight, the city again disgraced.
Mr.. Forrest ought to be satisfed-and so should
the "b'hoys."