Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-01-09
VA:
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY ., 1854.
~ Our citizens we've quite on the que ViDe on

MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 9, 1854.
aYOur citizens were quite on the que ViUe on
Saturday night, in consequence Of some handbillS
Inch appeared in the morning posted in various
places informing the public Of the advent to this
city Of Bedni, the Pope's NuRcio, and calling on
freemen to act, and let the cry be "DoWn win
Bedini" Mot having a copy of the handful we
do not recollect The worls) The ladies' connected
with st. James Cathedral in this city had prepared
n Supper al Washington Hall on Saturday evening,
for the purpose of aiding by its proceeds IN ueray-
ing the expenses incurred in finishing the Cattle
dral, Steeple, &c and it was feared by many that
some violence would be attempted there, though
we never for moment supposed that any number
of men could be induced to offer molestation TO
an assembly of females met for such purpose
The anticipation of The public, however, drew
many to the spot and at quite an early hour Of the
night large crowd had collected outside the Hall
awaiting the denouement if any. Everything,
however, passed off peaceably, excepting occa-
sional outbuTsts the part Of the younger por-
lion of the assembly, who were evidently dissp-
pointed, and finding ''nothing uP,'' and filled in
the intervals with occasional whoops and halIoos
which somewhat excited the female assemblage
within.
We are glad to state however, that nothing Of
import occurred up to IL O. clock,when the supper
visitors dispersed and were suffered to depart
quietly 10 their homes. We had hoped that here
the matter would have ended, that for the honor
and go5d character of our city, nothing would have
occurred calculated 10 effect her former character
for law and Orler, and that the matter was at an
end. We regret 10 say that such was not the case'
and that after the supper the assembly outside
Washington Hall, proceeded TO the Cathedral, aud
did what we hope they themselves now regret
We must however, say that few who went to the
Cathedral, went with any pre-conceived det-rmi-
nation TO act lawessly, and that in our judgment
far the greater part of those who did go, went as
spectators, 10 witness what might happen, and Of
the entire nSsembIoge large proportion of them
were boys. For some time alter their arrival at the
Cathedral. violence was attempted, but we
learn III after short space Of time, some persons
becoming Inpatient and finding no acting fur
ther, began TO throw stones att he windows of tile
Cathedral, hch resulted in the bTeaknge of pains
of glass in two OF three of The windows, after
which the crowd dispersed without luther violence
excepting the very free Of Anglo-Saxon towards
the iuEctionareS of the church from the Pope
down.
This is what.we have learned as to what occur
red on Saturday night, and We would gladly pass
IN silence, confident that the actors themselves
sincerely regret their wanton acts, were it not that
we are unwilling that the affair should leave our
city IN the magnificent garb of exaggeration in
which it would be clothed, if carried verbally
elsewhere. 1t is the first thing Of the kind
have known in Wheeling, aud sincerely do we
hope 1t may be the last. The great mass OF
people are law. abiding, and will lend their coun-
tenance 10 no species of mob-law. If our laws
are inefficient, our citizens know how they can be
amended and rendered productive of the desired
good, aud we have yet 10 meet with She first man
who jusufes the lawlass violence of Saturday
night, however trivial may have been its conse-
Guences.- We care not what may be the grievance
complained OF, or what may be the feelings which
individuals may possess matters of religion OF
as To particular persons, we advocate now and at
all times implicit obedience to the laws of the land.
No nation can remain free where law and order
not respected and upheld; no man values properly
the priceless boon of freedom handed down to him
from the revolution, who will aLet even tolerate
lawlessneSs and violence and the riotous proceed.
ings of Saturday night; and the attempted destruc-
lion of church property, commands and will re-
ceive the indiscrminate censure and condemna-
ton Of our Iaw-abding populations it was the
work, we hope, ofmere boys or thoughtleSS youth,
but come whence it may know we express the
feelings of our citizens when say that rs i; is
the fist so may it be the last act OF rotouSnesC and
law!essness, which may mar the fair escutcheon
of our city.