The New York herald., 1849-05-14

TEE.--The excitement caused by the dreadful ca
tastrophc which took place at the Opera House in
this city, on Thursday evening last, is, we are happy
to see, subsiding; and calm, sober judgment,
which was temporarily dethroned, is again re-
sumng its legitimate sway. The triumph of
order is apparently complete there is no appre
hension of another outbreak, or another scene of
slaughter; and the functonary whose duty is to
inquire into the causes Of sudden death, is pro-
ceeding in his melancholy investigation. The
excitement produced by this unfortunate and me-
lancholy event has been succeeded by gloom
which is marked on every countenance. The
catastrophe is deplored; and the heartfelt wish Of
every thinking and rejecting man in the community
is that no similar scenes shall take place in
city, and that the time far distant when our citi
zen soldery shall be again called upon to shed the
blood of their fellow citizens, in the discharge of
that all important but in this instance melancholy
duty-the support and maintenance of the laws, and
the preservation Of the public peace.
On calmly reviewing the whole of this melan-
choIy and deplerable business, and the causes re-
mote and immediate, which led to the catastrophe
of Thursday night, it cannot be denied that there
were some great and fatal mistakes committed,
only for which our city would not now be over
sndQOWeQ Win SIleI, uVee vi oo many Aii-
nocent persons have been sacrificed.
The first of these is the position which the
friends and admirers of Mr.. Forrest assumed in
the quarrel between that gentleman and MIR. Ma
| cready paper war had been going on for
some time previously, between those two ac-
tors-commenced, in the first place, by Mr.. Ma
cready alluding TO preconcerted movement by his
| "unprovoked antagonists to drive him of the
Frl -xl--c G. C. a. &Ixr -sr,It
when Mr.. Macready made this declaration, there
was some disapprobation manifested; but, notwith-
standing that, he was sustained, and went through
his part peaceably. What more did Mr.. Macready
require? Yet, he was not satisfied withbelng thus
sustained, but the conclusion of erfomances
and, as if tempting fate, he made speech in which
he alluded to an reorganization" against him. HIS
remarks on that occasion drew forth the first letter
from Mr.. Forrest Now, here was a great mistake
committed by Mr.. Macready He had the vantage
ground in being successful notwithstanding the
organization to which he alluded, If any such ex-
listed, and he should have been satisfied. Then It
was that the quarrel between Forrest and Macready
commenced, and that quarrel was continued by
MIR. Forrest until a day or two preceding MIR. Ma
creadys last appearance in this city, on the boards
of the Astor Place Theatre. This was one of the
| remote causes which led to the deporable events
| of Thursday evening but the principal one was
the course pursued by the friends Of Mr.. Forrest,
| afterwards They stepped in and interfered be-
tween the two actors, and as if Mr. Forrest was not
able to take care Of HIMSELF they houghtthey must
take his part, and make it an issue between them
selves and Mr.. Macready. The consequences of
this mistake are well known. Mr.. Macready was,
on the first night of his temperance, Monday
evening last, driven from the stage. This was the
first mistake that was made, and which led to the
loss of life and bloodshed, on Thursday evening.
The public had been advised over and over again
not to identify themselves with private quarrel
between two play actors, on the ground that it
ought to be left to themselves for settlement;
but they needed it not, but drove Mr.. Macready
from the stage.
The great, the fatal mistake, was committed
by those who addressed the card to Mr. Ma
cready, condoling with him on the treatment which
| he had received on Monday evening, and request
ing him to re-appear, Notwithstanding the occur
rences that occasion, and conclude his farewell
engagement assuring him that he would be
sustained. Here we have the second and the
greatest mistake, as well the principal cause of
the bloodshed and loss of life on Thursday night
This was considered by the friends of Mr.. Forrest
in the light of a challenge-as an invitation Of
trial of strength between the friends of Forrest and
these gentlemen and their friends. The one said
Macready should not appear, the others said he
should The effect of this card and of Mr. Ma
cready's consent to re-appear, was to give new
and unfortunate direction to the whole affair-to
place the city authorities in direct opposition to
the friends of Mr.. Forrest, at the dctation Of
sba into pf
abstract principle. This was the great and
fatal error. Not only was there want OF judg-
ment displayed, but a reckless and unnecessary
disposition evinced TO test the power and strength
Of Mr.. Forests friends, and to provoke collision
between them. Surely this was unwise and impo-
htic in the extreme
Ihese were, we think, the causes which pro-
duced the unfortunate collision Thursday eve-
ning, which resulted so fcarfuy Let us hope that
there VIII be no iurher occasion for hostility. Mr.
Macready mas lett the Statc-the object Of the ami
mostly OF a portion OF eur citizens is beyond their
reach--let angry feelings subsde-but, above all
things, let no more blood be shed. We have ALWAYS
prided ourselves on the peaceful character of our
city Let us recollect that the laws of our own
framing; every individual having had voice in
making them. Let no more blunders be made
let us bear in mind that the people are not the 60
verned, but the govenors-that the preservation
of order depends on the people themselves-that
we are experimenting on a grand principle, the
success or failure of which will produce blessings
or entail mserIes on generations yet unborn. Our
citizens should have more respect for themselves
than to take any interest In the quarrels of two
pay-actors. II is beneath them.
FROM NASSAU, N. p, we have received files oi
the Royol Ca-etfe to the 18th ult. inclusive. We