The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-02-07
Correspondence Of the Star.
From Philadelphfa.
PpHlLApA., Feb. 8, 1850.

PPHiLADA., Feb. 3, 1850.
Every thing is now quiet and peaceful in
the great city of Penn. There have been no
street fights of note for about a week, and
those wounded in the last conflict are either
dead and forgotten, or so far recovered as TO
no longer excite the compassion of the COM
munity. The last street fight was away down
town. Pistols and muskets were repeatedly
fired, and brickbats flew plentifully. Nobody
was arrested no dead bodies were left on
the street, though il is generally believed that
one or more were carried off and concealed.
The Police, not being armed, are rather
slow in rushing into crowd where revolvers
are briskly at work. The names of the row.
dy gangs about the city are enough to fright
en- nervous person. Killers, Bouncers, Pri-
vateers, Rats, Splitters, SINNERS, Tormentors
No. and No. 2, are just as well known to
exist as organized societies, having their pla-
ces of meeting, officers or leaders, pass
words or means of recognizing each other in
the dark, as any other societies whatever in
Philadelphia.
A few weeks ago the Police discoveredth the
place of meeting of the Privateers. On en-
tering they found a goodly number of the
boys. The name of their association was
written in large letters in conspicious place
in the room, thus, Priuateers No. 1. How
many other lodges, or rather dens Of priuateers,
there are, we know not Those taken were
lodged in Moyamensing TO await their trial.
You have doubtless heard of the great feat
performed by the Killers, on New Years
night, in the neighborhood of the Naval Asy-
lum A gentleman had number of his
friends at his house, eating, drinking, and a.
musing themselves. AT late hour two stran-
gers walked in and began to help themselves
10 the eatables and drinkables, without cere-
mony or invitation They were requested to
leave; no violence was offered them and
they departed. In short time they returned
with strong party, hoisted the kitchen win.
dow, and began to remove pies, cakes, &C.,
which were on table accessible from the
window. The alarmewas given; the guests
in another part of the building, and the own
or Of the house, with his son, rushed out 10
arrest the thieves. The rowdies announced
themselves as Killers, shot the son dead, bad.
ly wounded the father, struck down young
lady, and made good their retreat. Areward
was offered for the murderers, but as yet no
clue 10 them has been discovered. Feats
similar in character, but inferior in atrocity,
are of almost weekly occurrence, as any one
can see by consulting the daily papers. What
is to be done ?-How is this fearful state of
things to be changed?-are questions which
deeply interest every Philadelphian, and give
occasion 10 many long editorial in the city
journals, and 10 many prosy letter from city
correspondents to country papers. Lectures
are being delivered by different persons on
tie causes of rowdyism. One attributes it to
the fact, that, whereas in old times apprenti-
ces lived in the families of their masters and
thus enjoyed the salutary restraints and inAu-
ences of home, now they are thrown to-
gether in boarding houses, accountable TO
their master, and under his oye, only 10 hours
in the "a. They enjoy little or no opportu-
mites for reading, for though they have time
enough, there is no quiet parlor, furnished
with lights, tables, books, &C., TO which they
have access. From supper till bed time,
they are in the theatre if they can afford it,
or on the street if they cannot, seeking a.
musement, and ready for any adventure
This is cause greatly insisted on by many,
and as remedy they recommend opening
the public school every night, so that these
young men may have an opportunity of i'm
proving their minds, and be led to seek a.
musement in intellectual and scientific per-
suits. If, with this, the old plan of appren-
tees living in the families of their masters
could be restored they think rowdyism would
soon disappear.
Others attribute it TO the excessively DEM
ocratic nature of our institutions, which fills
the young and badly educated with excess
sive pride and vanity, and thus destroys a
proper reverence for age, &c. Altho' these
differ widely as to the cause of the evil, they
agree in regard TO the remedy.
Many of the public schools have been o.
pened, and are nightly filled by young men.
Distinguished gentlemen in the three learned
professions give free lectures TO them once or
twice month on the natural sciences, histo-
ry, &C., and the best results it is hoped will
follow them.
The ignorant can only be governed by
force and by lear; the intelligent can be
reached by other means. The vast impor-
tance of education, though sufficiently evil
dent even in sparce country population, is
for more evident in a crowded city. Educate
the people, or arm the police; open and i'm
prove your schools, or pull down your jails
and build greater, these are the conclusions
to which Philadelphians have arrived if
rightly read their minds through their acts,
and leading journals.
My next letter hope will be on more
readable subject. R.
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