The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-16
Opinions or the Press.
rLrom the Rostou Atlna

YORK RIOT.
In New York. more than in most other large cities
there are two distinct classes Of people whose opinions
tastes and of life almost Numerically OPP
posite The class the Bowery boys, although
NO without their good traits of character natu-
rally the opponents Of the higher. or more wealthy
classes who reside in the vicinity Of Wavery place,
and who pay high prices for pews in fashionable
churches and sustain with their presence the Italian
opera. The Bowery boys havea natural dislike and
enmity to the frequenters Of the opera house. The
very fact that person admitted within it, unless
in full Dress and with white kids, enough to
the Bowcry and the Chatham, to witness the perform
OF highly wrought melo-dramas, in their red
shirts and with their pockets filled with peanuts and
Although the direct cause of the late riot grew
out Of the quarrel between Mr.. Macready and Mr..
Forrest yet we have doubt that the fact that Mr.
Macready was to play ut the opera house addi-
tional the fame of revolt Forrest had long
H. Pct
Spatacus and Metam are, to their minds the beau
ideals Of what stage hero should be- In each Of these
plays Mr.. Forrest appears the champion Of the
masses MS one who is oppressed and ground down by
the iron heel of tyranny and despotism. These are
shades of character which have found representa-
fiyes upon the stage and have enlisted the senti
ments-and justly, too-of the people in their favor.
But Mr. Forests prize characters are Hinged with an
OF which engendcr hatred against the wealthy In
stead Of arousng generous emotions and nm elevation
of mind His Shaksperian characters however respecta
Bile are not those with which he Is identified in the
public mind. We have seen him play Macbeth and
Lear to half filled benches while ne never plays Meta
Mr. Macready, on the other hand, Is identified in the
public mind who has little sympathy with the
masses He Is an intellectual actor, gentleman OF
most fastdiousl taste, who never plays to win the
applause Of the unthinkng. There Is frigdity and
GOODNESS about his manner which rather rcpels than
courts sympathy. without following this matter fur
ther have only to say, that in order TO come to
philosophical estimate Of the Of the late riot,
these things ought to be kept in view
As regards the city authorities Of New York, we
think they worthy OF the highest praise for their
determined stand in quelng the riot We know that
that there necessity for the efusion Of blood
We do not believe however, that the military
ordered to fire until the turning point was reached
whether the mob or the law were to rule When that
point is reached, there should be hesitation or
holding back. show Of fear want of decision, at
snch time Is fatal and had either been exhibited
the part of the authorities who tell what the
suit would have been IL the mob had gained the
aeendancy, in their moments Of triumph, excited by
pbrenzy and passion, many more lives would, in all
probability, have been sacrificed, aud much property
destroyed The arm Of the law would have been pal
ricd and the whole city might have fallen into the
walsh and Rynders. The authorities had fearful
responsibility resting upon them, and Tor one, we re-
joice that they IL like men, and did their duty
like mem and 1t behoves the citizens OF New York to
sustan them, as we have no doubt they Will be sus-
tanned by the people of the whole country
From the Boston JournalI
MODS.
No person read the accounts Of the ais
graceful and violent proceedings Of the mob IN the city
f New York. without entertaining strong feelings OK
Humiliation and sorrow When q ircnzied mob, con-
ssting of several thousand persons can be- collected
together in n few hours by appeals Of unprincipsd
ms TO he prejudiccs and passions Of the and
Kidding defiance to the civil authorities coLhed with
the paopy Of law proceed to the commission OF out
rsgcs agnst the persons and property Of individuals