The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-05-18
Tremendous Riot at New York.
Attack on The Opera House.
Ths Militia called Out-.Twenty"One Per
aons killed and thIrtYsthree W0nnded.

1O1n AhhsW anu AuAEt y~es-A ~
On Thursday night last, New York
City was disgraced by riot. originating
in a quarrel between two play actors
Macready and Forest. The result, twill
be seen, was most disastrous. We copy
from the Tri63ne:
We are again called upon to record
ono of the m0st shameful events whlch
has ever dsgraced the history of "ur city.
The riot of Monday night. of which that
of last night was but continuation was
harmless in comparison. We give the
particulars in the order of their occur
renee. and almost entirely from our perso.
nal observation.
The invitation extended to Mr.. Mac
ready by number Of our most prominent
citizens. aud his acceptance thereof. cal.
led forth second ef'rt on the part of
those who created the rio, on Monday
night. Early yesterday morning pla'
cards we're posted DIP through the city.
stating that the crew of the British steam
or had threatened violence to all who
"dared express their opinions at the Eng
lish Aristncratic Opera House" and cal
ling on all working men to "stand by
their lawful rights" In consequence of
this and similar threats. large body of
police was ordered to attend at the Opera
House. and in case this should not be
sufficient to preserve order. the Seventh
Regiment. Col. Duryea. and two troops
ofhorse. (Capts. Varnum and Paiterson.)
ofthe Eighth Regiment, under command
Of General Hall, and the Huzzars at
tached to Gen. Morris's Brigade, were
held in readiness. They formed in two
bndies. one Of which was stationed in the
Park and one at Centre Market.
In anticipation of a riot. the rush tor
tickets was very great, and before night,
none were to be had. For some time
before the doors we're opened. people
began to collect in Astor Place. and the
Police took their stations at the doors and
in the buildings. The crowd increased
with every m .,ment. and when we came
upon the ground, at haIf.past seven, the
SQUARE and street from Broadway to the
Buwery were nearly full. There was
such a tremendous rush about the doors,
in spite of notice posted up stating
that the tickets were all sold. that several
of the entrances we're obliged to be
closed. The Police used every exertiou
to preserve order, and succeeded in pre-
venting all attempts to enforce an en-
trance. Inside. the house was filed bul
not crowded, and the amphitheatre was
not more than halffnlI. The general ap
pearance of the audience was respecta
bic ana it was hoped at first that there
would be no serious attempt at distur
bance. We noticed. however. that the
windows had been carefully boarded W
and the doors barricaded-the object o
which was afterwards made manifest.
The first two scenes passed over will
vociferous welcome to Mr.. Clarke as Nal
colin. The entrance of Mr.. Macready
in the third scene, wis the signal for
perfect storm of cheers, groans aud Kisses
The whole audience rose. and the nine
tenths Of it who were friendly to Mac
ready cheered. waving their hats an'
handkerchiefs. Alarge body in the par
aue,te, with others in the second tier an'
amph,heatre, hissed and groaned wit
eoual zeal. The tumult lasted for tel
or fifteen minutes. when an attempt wa
made to restore order. by a board beln
brought upon the stage, upon which wa
written THE friends of Order will re
main quiet" This silenced all but the RI
oters. who continued to drown all soun
of what was said upon the stage. Not
word of the first act could be heard b
auy one in the house. The policeme
present did little or nothing. evident
waiting orders. Finally. in the la
scene ofthe act. Mr.. Matsell, chiefof p
lice, made his appearance in the pa
auette, and. followed by a numbero of h
aids, marched directly down the aisle
the leader of the disturbance. whom
secured after a short but violent stru
ole. Que by one The rioters were taxi
and carried out. the greater part of q
audience applauding as they disappes
cd. s.
Before the second act was over, som
thing ofthe play could be- heard, and
the pauses of the shouts aud yells. 4
orders of the chief and his men in d
fsrent parts of the house could be hear
as we'll as the wild uproar of the m
without. Mrs. Coleman Pope. as La
Macbeth, first procured little silen'
which ended. however Immediately
Mr.. Macready's appearance. The
noxiuIs actor went through his part W
perfect self possession, and paid no rega
10 the tumutuous scene before him.
the parquette and gallery we're cleared
the nnisiest rioters. tho crowds with'
grew more violent aud stones were hurl
against the windows on the Astor pls
side. A. one window cracked after
mother. and pieces Of bricks and pavi'
stoues ratified in on the terraces and Il
bies, the confusion increased, till the OI
ra House -esembled fortress besieg
4 by an invading army rather than pls
q meant for the peaceful amusement q
II civilized community. Sometimes
heavy stones would dash in the boa
. which had been nailed up as protecti
? and a number Of policemen were C
s,an,ly occupied in mailing up and
curing the defences.
The attack was sometimes on one .
VI IL ..KH I,saHa