New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-09-14
Our city Wars.

1t must be confessed that a NEST anomalous,
unprecedented and disgraceful state Of affairs
has existed in our city during the whole Of the
present week, The days have been peaceable,5
quiet and orderly: the nights disorderly, an
quiet and bloody. The civil power has been
utterly paralyzed, and portion of the city
been virtually under military law for twelve
out of the twenty hours. Men have been
attacked, beaten and shot down; houses have
been Quilted and armed bands paraded through
the streets half drunk, with threats and ex-
citing cries.
The immediate blame and culpability for this
state of things lies, we think, with the Mayor.
As the chief executive officer Of the city it was
his duty to quell the riot at the outset, and as
the Chief of Police he was able to command the
services Of six hundred policemen to carry his
orders into execution, aside from the city mill
tary, which he could order out at pleasure.
Fifty determined men might at any moment
have put an end to the disturbances and restored
order. Instead, however, of pursuing firm
and decided course, the Mayor has been vascil-
lating in every thing he has undertaken to do.
He knew nothing of the riot on the first night
| until it was ended, and, instead Of adopting
active measures the next day for the discovery
/ and punishment of the rioters, he sat calmly in
| his office waiting for af6dayits to be made !!
| Every man in the city believed that hostilities
| would be renewed the next night-ex except the
Mayor; and he knew nothing, believed nothing,
| did nothing. The riots were renewed and more
| lives lost. The military were ordered out on
| the third night, and the police posted round the
district where trouble was expected. So ut
terly inefficient were the preparations, how
syer, that yesterday, like days previous, had q
tale Of bloodshed and brutality, which we pub
lish this morning.
There are undoubtedly honest, faithful and
efficient men among our police, but many are
VIGOROUSLY worthless and incompetent; rather
inclined to increase than diminish the excite
ment They have done little or nothing towards
preventing breaches Ct the peace or arresting
the perpetrators Of the outrages we deplore.
Notwithstanding their imbecility, we do not CON
slider the calling out of the military to have been
necessary at any period Of the present troubles.
Numbers Of able and efficient men could have
been enlisted for the police service from among
our citizens--men interested in the preservation
Of order and resolute and determined in the
discharge Of their duties. Fifty such mer
posted at Lafayette Square and fifty more al
ST. Mary's Market would have restored and
preserved the public peace. 1t is not too late
now for the securing Of their services.
We hope that the riots are ended and thai
peaceable men can now walk the streets of tht
lefty without danger Of being shot down Hk
ldogs. But we hoped so yesterday, and the da,
before, and had just as much reason for ou
hope then as now-and we're disappointed
1 There is no sufficient reason, in our knowledge
why Wednesday night should not be marked b,
as many atrocities and as much bloodshed a
any Of its predecessors. When mems passion
are once raised they cool slowly. 1t behoove
the authorities to see to it that peace is pre-
served at all events and at any cost. Otherwis
the citizens will be compelled to pursue til
course to which we before alluded, and max
themselves their own protectors. and the con
seryators Of order and public peace