Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-05-18
GREAT RIOTS IN NEW YoRK.-HEAyY
LOSS OF LIFE.

disgraceful and sanguinary riot. rendered more
lamentable, if possible, from the trivial cha
racter of the circumstances on which it was
founded, being nothing more or less than the
personal rivalry of two play actors. Some
% persons are reported 10 have been killed.
and IS or so wounded. We hope this account
may prove TO be exaggerated, but we fear that
it is not. AS usual in such cases, the MAORI
ty of the sufferers were innocent spectators.
We condense the following account of the
riot from the New York Herald of the 18th
instant, giving also some of the circumstances
which Immediately preceded it, and seem TO
have led to it.
II is known that a feeling of professional
jealousy and personal animosity, has long sub
sisted between Macready and Forrest, the lat
ter alleging that Macready was instrumental
in injuring his professional career in England.
This, Macready as pertinaciously denies, and,
we think, substantiates his denial by letters
and afidavits, directly from England. emana-
ting from all the prominent characters having
any connection with the matter. But how
ever that may be. is matter of perfect indlf-
| ference TO most OF our readers, who don't care
straw about the petty squabbles OF these
two men. The only real interest attached to
the affair, springs frem the deplorable circum-
stances TO which il has lead.
On Monday night week, Macready appear
ed at one theatre, and Forrest in another, both
in the same character :-on this occasion,
Macready was driven off the stage, and signi-
fed his intention not to again appear, as it
was impossible 10 fulfil his engagement. Up
on this number of the leading literary and
scientific gentlemen of New York-among the
rest, Washington Irwin, Professor Siliman,
and others-addressed a letter 10 Mr.. Macrea-
dy, requesting him not to yield 10 violence,
but TO fulfil his engagement. In consequence
Of this, he consented again 10 appear on Thurs
day night. The Herald, of Thursday morn
ing, says that the following placard was post
ed about the public places
Working men, shall Americans Or En-
ish steamer have threatened all Americans
who shall dare to express their opinions this
night, at the English Arstocratic Opera House
We advocate no violence, but free express
sion of opinion to all public men. Working
men Freemen stand by your lawful rights
Signed: AMERICAN COMMITTEE"
The intention of this bill is manifest al
any rate it's effect could not be doubted Com
bined with the excited state of feeling of a
portion of the people, its inevitable result was
the outbreak which ensued.
At an early hour on Thursday night. the
Opera House was crowded, and the sale Of
tickets had to be suspended. Macready's ap.
! pearance upon the stage was the signal for al
sort of disturbances, Kisses, groans, &C. SIEVE
raj of the audience sprang to their feet, and
demanded that the disturhers should be pu
out. Many arrests were made, and it was
evident that those in favor of order had a de-
cided majority. The first persons arrested
were four young men, who were placed in thu
temporary lookup under the boxes. These
prisoners attempted TO set fire to the theatre
and but for the prov!dential coming in of thu
officers, the building would soon have been il
flames the perpetrators were put in irons
At this time the windows of the theatre wert
attacked by shower of stones. The mob OF
the outside was led on by the notorious z.
Judson-" Ned Buntline was prompt
5 ly arrested. The crowd around the theatr
. b
: at least 1000. The play, however, was fin
: ished, and Mr.. Macready made his escape, il
t disguise, from the rear.
J. The military now made their appearance Of
the ground A troop of cavalry attempted t.
force its way to the spot, but the horses be
coming unmanageable, the troop did not sue
coed in so doing The National Guard,
q volunteer company, next made their ap
d pearance, and attempted to force a pas
l. sage through the crowd TO the THEATRE
> They were saluted with vo!ley OF stone:
thrown into disorder, and retired to Broadway
where they rallied, and made another attemI
10 reach the theatre. They were Kissed an
{ pelted with stones as heretofore, but they sue
u ceeded in reaching the desired point. The
then endeavored to range themselves on III
: sidewalk, but while so doing, six of ther
were feled to the ground by paving stones
: Capt Pond, the commander of the company
: was one of those thus injured.
. The next officer in command, then said I
+ the Sheriff, who was on the ground, that if h
d did not get orders to fire, he and his men woul
It abandon the streets Accordingly that Office
u directed the company 10 fire round over tn
h. heads of the people, which was accordingl
done, but without effect The people contir
/. ued to pelt them with paving stones as befor
r An order was then given 10 the company
6 f:e at the crowd, and it was done, two me
70 falling, one shot in the arm, and the 9th,
r. through the right cheek. The first was sci
=. to the hospital, but the other was found TO
r dead. After the volley, the mob retreated
&c short distance, but rallied and renewed the a
al tack with greater vigor than before. Pavir
~ stones and other missiles were discharged
them in great quantities and while the mt
70 was going on another volley was fired by Il
military, killing and wounding several MOI
al r.. j