The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-04
Erie In a State Of InsurrectIca.

Every one is familiar with the petty pro
vincial jealousy which characteristics q large
portion Of the citizens Of Philadelphia. From
time immemorial they have always display
ed little-Peddlington dislike to New York
Their journals invariably talk of the grasp
ing avidity," of the unwarrantable usur-
pations," and OF the arbitrary assump-
TONS OF this metropolis: were they to be
believed, the whole community of New
York has entered into conspiracy to de-
fraud Philadelphia of her just rights, and to
Ietard her natural progress among cities. There
are people on the Delaware who have sense
enough to see that this is mere twaddle; that
each city advances in the measure of its in
habtants' energy, and that, if Philadelphia
Tags somewhat behind New York, the fact must
be ascribed to the superior enterprise of the
KnickeIbockers and their fellow citizens. But
these are hardly the rule. The bulk OF the po-
pulation Of our sister city in every act of ours
a latent attempt to injure them Public in
terest-the interests of the whole country-are
things totally beyond their ken. Petty selfish
ness, and ridiculous apprehension of injury, have
SO operated to narrow their minds that they
would sooner ruin themselves than lend their
aid to project which might benefit New York
This spirit is not confined to Philadelphia. 1t
seems to have been implanted by nature in the
breasts Of many other Pennsylvanians. Such
men are born narrow-minded, narrow minded
they live, and death finds their minds narrower
than ever. The satirist of reputation has
painted Pennsylvania in no enviable colors;
one touch, however, was wanting to his port
RAFT, and that is the miserable bgotry and mean
ness which the recent disturbances at Erie
have brought to light.
Public execration is wasted upon the wretches
who tore up the railroad tracks, broke down
bridges, attacked railroad officials, and brutality
molested defenceless passengers. They were
but the instruments Of others Let us trace the
evil to Its source. The Legislature Of Pennsyl-
vania, finding that it was proposed to build
railroad through Erie, and to carry passengers
thereby to and from New York and the West,
took the matter into consideration. Sensible
men would at once have been struck with the
advantages the road would confer upon the coun-
try through which ii passed. Not 50 the Penn
sylvanians What! said they, shall these
New Workers and Western men pass throughout
our State without paying fee or toll The
Pennsylvania blood rose at so intolerable an
idea. Not even one slice of pumpkin pie to be
gulped-not one glass Of schnaps to be swal-
lowed on the way by the foreigners! Human
nature lin Pennsylvauia) could not suffer SO
barefaced an injury So they met in caucus,
offered premium for the meanest stratagc 10
avert the danger, and hit upon the plan
ordering that the gauge of the railroad tr, q
should be altered at Erie 80 as to
necessitate o change Of cars, and involy 81
the passengers at that place and q tranship-
ment of goods. 1t does not appear that the
members of the Legislature who voted for this
measure were cut by their acquaintance or
visited with any mark Of public displeasurs
On the contrary, the whole State accepted the
act with rejoicing, and chuckled over the pros
pect of levying q forced tax on passengers
and freight. The people of Erie, especially, re-
yelled in the despicable task allotted TO them
When the railroad company attempted to lay
their usual gauge rail, these worthy citizens,
headed by their Mayor, rose in rebellion against
SO nefarious an attempt to defraud them ottheir
perquisites, and tore up the rails and broke
down The bridges. The authorities we're COM
pletely won over to the side Of the rioters
Riots were bad thing, no doubt; but the idea
Of allowing New Workers and others to pass
through Erie without eating, drinking, storing.
GODS, and paying, was ten times worse. So the