Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-07-13
A RIOT.
The Old South Church in Ashes |!

lectured Wednesday and Thursday evenings
On the first night there was no disturbance at
tending the gathering, although there was a
large crowd in attendance, and many who SYM
pathized strongly with the sentiments OF the
lecturer.
Thursday night the crowd was still larger,
and was composed Of many Of our most re-
srcctable citizens among them large numbers
of our mas er mechanics, tradesmen, and few
professionals. There was also enough of in
hammable material, AS the sequel shows--to
do violence, despite the law and order notions
that prevailed with the greater portion of the
company
The lecturer had nearly finished his ha-
rangue, without disturbance when hack was
driven through the crowd towards the depot
Nothing was thought Of this by the crowd
who gave way to the right and left, TO give it
opportunity to pass 1t Immediately re-
turned, however, and the crowd then acted on
the supposition that the driver and passengers
refused to let it go through, but stopped the
horses and turned them about This event APP
peared to be the starting point Of excitement
Much feeling was expressed, and cheers and
groans were given in rapid succession. ending
by raising shout 30 tie old South Church r.
From the Custom House--he scene Of The
first eXcitement--the crowd rapidly dispersed
the majority of them going to the old South
Church, which had been used as a place Of
worship by The Catholics. The crowd stove in
the doors and windows. entered the building
rung the bell, waved the American ensign from
the belfry, ard lastly fred it. The flames
spread with great rapidity, and in few min
utes the building was in ruins
The fremen were early at the fire, but Moth
ing could be done towards staying IT,
The building was owned principally. or
wholly, by VIM. NJ Rogers. No insurance,
we presume. The city loses clock which
was upon it.
The above from the Mirror, discloses a por-
ton of the facts in this most disgraceful trans
action; one in which the peace Of the commu-
nifty was violated, the constitution and laws of
the State set az open defiance, and lawless
publicly committed an act unparalleled we be-
lieve in the history of the State. The mob
commenced their riotous proceedings about
quarter past sight o'clock in the evening, and
continued to have entire. UNMoLEsrED control
Of the city the whole night. To attract pub
lie attention they rang the bell of the Old
South, as a requiem to departing freedom, and
waved the flag Of America amid the flames and
smoke of the desecrated sanctuary.
Soon after this, the mob endeavored to force
an entrance ia the Sagadahock House, but by
the intcrposition of the Mayor and other caus-
es, they at length desisted from that enterprise.
They then marched the streets threatening
with violence the persons they supposed at
tn,o,,toI IN ,Iiu+urh In I'm Il
anti catholic preacher. The real native Amer
icans,s(the aborigines ) were ignorant of civili-
cation or christianity whether the name of
the present party is chosen correspondent Of
the mental state of its advocates, we cannot
now discuss.
The mob obtained cannon during the night
and discharged it two or three times. They
visited house occupied by four Irish families,
notified them to leave in two days, or they
would destroy the building. At12 ID o'clock,
that night, they surrounded the house Of Mr..
Charles Ducett, who is a very upright man, a
good citizen, but a Catholic, uttering cries of
"FrRE THE HOUSE," Pull it down :" sc. Mr..
Ducett Immediately came out and enqurcd
what he had done-if he had violated any laws
or been guilty Of any disturbance They re-
piled, "GoD On YOU, WE HAVE BURNT YOUR
CHURCH, AND NOW NOTIFY you, That IF you
HAVE ANY OTHER CATHOLIC MEETING IN THE
CITY, WE Will DESTROY THE BUILDING" They
told him he must drink toast of death to the
Pope and down with Catholicism, which he
refused 10 do. This house was within Is
or 90 rods of the Mayors residence, and on the
same street At IL o'clock they assaulted
another Irish house and called for RUN to
OR THE NEXT OR SUCCEEDING DAY. Our object
is simply to state facts, not to speculate on
them, or excite any one by their recital On
Friday eve ming there was large and tumultu-
Gus assembly convened in Front street. The
Mayor issued proclamation to the citizens,
and the City Greys we're in their armory sub
iect to call. Yet that evening one Of our citi-
zens who had secured the i'll will Of the mob
by the advice of the Mayor, closed his store
and retreated. No arrests were made.
Saturday night the mob again assembled to
tear down dwelling house in the north part
Of the city. occupied by two families, whose
character, we understand, the piouS and yifu-
Gus mob were suspicious, was not in all respects
in accordance with the highest requirements Of
the purest christianity; and therefore the
| Sabbath day they endeavored to demoish it
and in doing. violated the laws Of God and
man. In the mob's view these laws are wick
ed compared with their notions of morality and
right.
| On Monday one arrest was made, and we
understand that all the offenders are to be
brought to justice.
We never can justify mob. They are al
ways wrong, Illegal, unconstitutional and in
violation Of all principles Of justice and right
They strike at the very foundation of liberty
and the rights of man No true American can
ever be engaged il one.
The City Greys under arms to assist
the police Friday and Saturday nights. Sun
day night was rainy. Monday 100 additional
police were created and on duty Monday night,
as we'll as the City Greys.
On Tuesday, Ira Mason, the person arrested,
was examined by Judge Smith, and ordered to
recognize in the sum Of $1,000 for his appear
ance before the Supreme Court in August next.
Where this is to end, we know not The Mir
ror Of Saturday says "there is no cause for d
further outbreak. There are no Catholics to