The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-19
THE GREAT FLOUR RIOT OF 1897

Rents, provisions, fuel, flour, money, work,
OF Heaven men forget hereafter, in dwelling upon tho
deeply Important matters of the present moment
all the ana land
owners against the poor the needy the aborer and thu
Even the corporation that arena speeu-
nloh ~ ieagued with Spectators against tenants
They are opening streets in all directions. THIS only
from the city.
The foregoing extracts are taken from the New
YORK Herald of February 7, 1897, and may be re-
garded as graphic and life like sketch Of the con-
dton of our city during that disastrous year. There
is much in it that would apply with equal force to-
New York in 1853, and men are now prophesyinp-
like results Heaven forbid, however that we should
ever be compelled to pass through such another or
deal, or that spectators, heartess some of them
are should be Induced by the necessities Of the times
to engage in the same system Of extortion which
distinguished the year to which refer as an era In
the history of the good old Knickerbocker city.
At the time to which we allude, the exciting and
allabsorbng topics were the high rents and exor-
btant prices of provisions. They formed the princi-
pal subjects of discussion, and apprehensions were
entertained by the wise and farseeing that the peace
OF the city would be endangered if an immediate
remedy could not be provided. On Friday the 10th
OF February, notice was published in our paper, ton
the effect that preparations were making for q
great meeting Of the people in the Park to take into
consideration the present state of things" The peo-
pie were roused for they had good reason to bellows
that the landlords were leagued to increase their
rents and that the speculators had taken advantage
OF deficiency in the wheat crop Of the previous har-
vest to buy up all the flour throughout the country.
This speculation was not confined to own State
but extended to Maine, Maryland, Virginia and Penn
sylvania, where public meetings had been held to
protest against the outrage The necessity, there-
more apparent every day; but, as it was desir.
able that the meeting should be composed of all
classes Of citizens. labores, mechanics, and
merchants were all invited, without exception.
1t was hoped that an assemblage of this character
would be productive of good effects, and that some
plan Of action might be adopted that would remove
the grievances of which the great body Of the peo-
PIE had such Just causes Of complaint In an edi-
for which the meeting had been called, the HERALD
gave the following judicious advice, which, if fol-
lowed, would have prevented the disgraceful riot
that ensued:-
Quoted with order decorum and intelligence throughout
Let reason, knowle ledge and the guide.
Its magnitude and Importance have
1t is question of life against deathof hunger and cold
against avarce and usury-of common against
lator politician and extortoner Let every and
every movement be conducted within the limits of
ns law Ssv our pp laws are corrupt u
there be no riot, no mob, breaking Of the peace.
1t was doubtless a matter of subsequent regret
that this wise counsel was not followed, and that the
wiz NlOleICe 70 WHICH lne CITY appeared 10 nave
abandoned itself, was not restrained by regard for
the rights of personal property, or q reckless and
prodgal waste OF one OF the great necessares of life
The meeting was organized in the Park immediate-
ly in front of the City Hall at four o'clock. The day
was the most incement of the season, the wind was
piercing cold and had the subject been one only Of
ordinary interest, very few would have attended.
But the subject was Of general and vital impor-
lance; one OF the largest crowds gathered with
in the limits Of the Park assembled on that mo-
mentous occasion. There were about twenty-five
thousand persons present, among whom were large
representation from all classes and conditions of life
from the poor tradesman who builds the lOrdy man.
sion, TO the rich merchant who inhabits it. Res0u.
tons and speeches. expressive of the determination
of the meeting, in relation to the existing monopo.
lies, were presented and made, and there appeared
to be but one feeling in regard to the speculators
that of general condemnation But large number.
not content with the peaceable and orderly mode Of
proceeding which had been adopted, and unable
to restrain their excitement, formed in a body,
went down to Washington street, near the mar
ket and commenced desperate assault ON
the extensive, store, of Eli Hart Co., whd
their speculation in -four, and the high price which
they demanded for it. Five thousand infuriatei
men broke into the building, smashed the windows,
overturned everything within their reach and seizug
about hundred barrels, smashed in the heads, and
tmptied the -four into the streets large amount was
estroyed by being trampled under foot; but consd-
rable portion was saved and carried of by children
{ nd women, who, taking advantage of the distur-
nswer fer the purpose, or that could be mustered
into the service. The streets for several hundred
yards from the ransacked building strewed with
flour. The inerpositon OF the police was called for;
but the crowd too great and the popular feeling
too deeply enlisted and aroused, to admit of any
thing effective being done to quell the riot. The
Mayor was present, and did all in the power of man
to anay the excitement and prevent the people FROM
executing their vengeance in still more summary
manner 1t was not an ordinary mob, composed Of
the lowest and most degraded Of the population but
yunl mad nf rfphIA
trious hardworking laborers, and men from various
professions and occupations in life. Such men were
not to be put down Immediately, when once aroused
and it must be admitted that there were many palli
ating circumstances which might be urged for what
they did, however much we may condemn any move
ment which violates the peace and wellbeing Of So
ciety or which has tendency to destroy our conf
dence in tie integrity and administration Of our laws
The battle-cry of the masses on this occasion was
" Bread, bread, !" and " No monopoly )" and wherever
it was heard struck terror to the hearts of the spe-
cuators The police, unable to contend against the
enraged pOpuace called several citizens to assist
them in maintaining the supremacy of the laws; but
they were prevented from doing so by feeling OF
sympathy with the rioters, or from fear that they
might be roughly handled for their interference.
An agent of the firm who owned the store endea.
vored to stay them by Offering to sell the flour at
eight dollars barrel four dollars less than had been
previously demanded for it. 1t had no effect how.
ever for nothing but the destruction Of the property
would appear to satisfy them 1t is too late, they
replied they flung barrel after barrel into the street.
Tie same words, echoedin the French capital, in
February Of 1S4S, sealed the doom of Louis Philippe.
destroyed the succession in his family and follow
it out to its consequence, placed the prisoner of Ham
and the nephew Of his uncle" upon the imperial
throne. In our city, however the grievances of
which the people complained were temporary, and
not deep-seated, as they were in France. II was,
therefore, impossible that they should be attended
with the consequences that they could result
in an overthrow Of the government. In the midst Of
the wild excitement and violence which prevailed,
there instances Of respect for the laws and
the rights Of property which redeemed the worst
features Of the riot. In case, the police were en-
deayoring to prevent some punderers from carrying
off wagon load Of -four, and were beaten back wheR
a carmans froci. Addressing o the crowd. that
pressed on all Sides threatening to overwhelm the
officers, he called upon them to respect property.
J" No plumber, my lads, !" said he; !" no plunder-de-
stroy destroy, as much as you please. Teach these
monopolists that we know our rights, and will
have them. hut d-n L. don't rob them.N Whey