The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-06
From the Syracuse Star, October Sd.
The svrneusa Outrage.

The Syracuse Outrage.
tbs LATE DseRAcEFUL RIoT.--That the city Of
Syracuse was disgraced on "Wednesday by the oc-
ourrence of riot, during which the authorities
were parGlyzed refused 10 perform their duty, il
by this time matter of notoriety in every State
and every city in the Union. The fact no one but
traitor or q knave will have the hardlhood to
deny.
For the outlines Of the affair we must refer TO
paper Of Thursday. In that report we ind nothing
requires alteration. These outlines we now
propose to fill up render the picture Of their in
fanny more complete, who, occupying a respecta-
BILE station in society melted, by the basest means
horde Of ruffans to desecrate the temple Of JUS
tIce and to violate a law of the United States
The riot commenced in the commissioners Of
fee, in the second story of the Townsend block
The principal instigators OF 1t were two physicians
and a clergyman OF this city. The fugitive was
seized by negro carman of this city.
The fugitive was recaptured and consigned to
the police office. Then tie abolihonists renewed
the excitement, and their orators, by infiammatory
appeals to the crowd which collected in front OF the
Office, sroye by every means in their power TO in
cite them to an assault upon the marshal and his
assistants.
This disgraceful state of affairs continued from
p. till the of the fugitive at 81 a m, and
all this while the mayor made no attempt to dis
perse the mob to restore order and obedience to
the laws, further than to ask the rioters individual
ly 10 go home. He never addressed the mob; never
read the riot act; never in word, exercised SO
much authority efficient magistrate would
have done in the case Of an ordinary ARRAY among
two or three persons.
The sheriff being called upon for assistance by
the marshal, very promptly requested the com.
manders of the Citizens Corps, the National
Guards, and the Washington Artillery, to order
out their companies. This order was as promptly
complied with and the companies were assembled
ut their armories ready for duty, each man being
supplied with three rounds OF ball cartridge. Be
fore marching to the sherifi's office, however,
Colonel o. J. VandenGurgh, the commander Of The
regiment issued his order 10 the captains of the three
companies, forbidding them 10 turn QUIZ He did
this at the solicitation of Charles A. Wheaton and
other leading abolitionists and in accordance with
his own personal preludices-since he was heard to
express desire that The lato should not be erecuted
and his determination 10 do all in his potoer TO
prevent its execution.
Having received an order from their colonel To
disband, the commanders OF tho companies had no
alternative but to obey, and the troops were accord
ingly dismissed.
When il became known 90 the mob that the
troops were dismissed, they renewed their men
aces against the officers, and the black and white
scoundrels who addressed them redoubed their
exertions to inflame them TO the point requisite
for the accomplishment Of their internal purpose.
The police office, in which the commissioner was
then holding his examination OF the case, was as
sailed with stones and the windows broken, until
il became impossible to proceed with the case.
An hour and half after the adjournment, the
doors were forced in and the fugitive rescued.
For the continuance of the riot after the military
were ordered out by the sheriff, Colonel Vanden-
burgh il alone responsible. Had even one military
company been marched to the scene of the outrage
and taken possession of the platform in front of
the police office, the mob would have quietly re-
tired. and either dispersed altogether or main
tanned respectful distance This 10 the opinion
of every intelligent citizen with whom have
conversed OH the subject. But Colonel Vanden-
burghs political aspirations and his desire to true
kle TO the abolitonists for their votes next Novem
Der, were too powerful to be resisted; although
they involved sacrifice Of his duty as a soldier,
and his character citizen, and must finally
lead TO bis dismissal from his command, and to a
perpetual abnegaton Of all office at the hands of
community which he 30 wantonly and SO grossly
insultcd.
Col. vandcnburgh's. conduct in this affair is ag-
gravated by the fact That, after the final escape of
the fugitive, he issued an order for the Citizens
Corps TO turn out immediatey-thus virtually ac-
knowedging, by his own hand, when too late, that
he had been guilty of an unjustihablc act in pre-
viously countermanding the order of the sheriff
Several prominent citizens of Syracuse were en-
gagged in the riot, and have, therefore, rendered
themselves amenable to the law. The punishment
for their offence is fine of = 900 and imprison-
men for three years in the State prison. This will
be n penalty for them to pay for the misdeeds
of Wednesday last, but not more severe than many
poor man is compelled to undergo for crimes far
less enormous, all things considered, than theirs
The offence of which they are guilty if frequently
repeated would sap the very foundation of civil 30
ciety, and reduce the country to state OF anarchy
and all its attendant miseros The ordinary often
against the laws, of daily occurrence, relate
chiefly to the property of northumberland however
criminal IN themselves, of no less dangerous
tendency than treason against the State.
From the Rochester american.
Stones were thrown, pistols were fired, sc. The
negro was in back ROOM the door of which was
cloeed. This was held fast by Mr.. Fitch, deputy
marshal of this city, but was coon broken down by
the mob, who struck Mr.. f. most violently, break
ing his left arm in two places.
MIR. Fitch reached his hotel in safety, (though
menaced by the mob who threatened to kill him, }
where he discovered the extent of his injuries. His
arm was twice broken, as above stated, and ne was
otherwise severely injured.
The mob composed chiefly of white men,
and was swelled by the strangers in the city, it be-
ing the day of the county fair, and an abolition
convention, the latter of which was on hand for q
full delegation OF law-breakers.
From the Utica Gazette.
We cannot forbear saying, however, that it was
u crime against law, against the peace of the COM
munity, the Constitution of the United States, and
the harmony Of the Union; and that every lover
of order, every sincere patriot, every man who
cares jot for the good of this Republic, for its
unity and its continuance, should visit it with his
sternest reprobation.
The Wing party has solemnly pledged itself to
sustain the Constitution and all e laws made under
al; the Wing press have endorsed the pledge, and
II therefore becomes the imperative duty OF every
Wing editor to denounco the acts of the Syracuse
mob, and to hold up to scorn and chastisement the
men whose teachings are its author.
IL ID notifying, it Is shameful, that with the
glad tidings of the Southern Union victories ring
ing in our ears, such outrages upon the Constitu
sioh pctIdtcu III optu III INC Hctib VI Il
populous northern State. The seed sown by the
preachers of sediton is bringing forth blessed
harvest of lawlessness and treason The law can
not thus be put down, it must, it will be enforced.
Good men. wise men must see 10 il that the Inobo
crat and the fanatic do not rule.
From the Albany Register.
There must and will come an end TO these things
Rebellion must and will be repressed, and treason
punished. The whole power of the Government, if
necessary must and will be used for that purpose.
All good men will stand by the authorities OF their
country and aid them in executing the laws. And
it will become the people of Syracuse to to it
that the traitors in their midst arrested and
punished, that treason and rebellion not victo
rous there again, and thus wipe off something of
the stain that dsfgures the reputation of their
city.
From the Albany Argus.
This is the first instance OF forcible resistance to
the execution of the laws of the United States that
has occurred in this State II is the first instance
that an armed mob has attempted, with or without
A -