The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-11

Wind - Discovery OF Guano-fhe IN
Brooklyn-Eirst Snow Of the Season
The Markets.
New YoRK, Dec n, 1853.
Mr. EpfroR Monday was q proud day
for John Mitchell. In view Of his declining
to receive Separate welcomes from Different
societies on account Of the loss Of time 1t
would occasion, and the apparent ostentation
with which it would be accompanied, ar
rangements were made on the part Of ihe
various bodies wishing to do him honor, for
= joint fctc in which all might have an OPP
portunity Of eongratulating him on his safe
arrival in America. A grand banquet was
fixed upon as the most appropriate mode of
celebrating the event, and the Broadway
Theatre WIS engaged for the occasion. The
parquettc was hoored over even with tho
stage, and the building was appropriately
ornamcnted. AT o'clock the guests took
their seats, about six hundred in number,
and there were as many more mostly ladies'
in the boxes. Charles O'Connor, our able
U. S. District Attorney, with whom Secre-
tary Guthrie picked bone last summer at
the same time with Collector Bronson, pre-
sided. Letters expressing, with more or
lass warmth, sympathy with the objects Of
the meeting, were read from various distin
guishcd invited guests who were unable to
attcnd-among others from Bishop Hughes
and Wainwright, Generals Scott and Shields,
and Senators Fisk and Seward. The two
leading speeches Of the evening were made
by Mcssrs. Mitchell and Meaghcr. The for
mcr, though not Gnishru v....", "r soeaks
with the Icrye aud vehemcncc that charac-
tcrizc his nation. Meagher's oratory, on the
other hand, is not only forciblc, but in the
highest degree chaste and effective. His
speech on Monday evening was brilliant in
the extreme, and thrilled those who were
present with its genuine eloquence. Under
the direction of these two practical journal.
lists, 1.-The Citizen can hardly fail to sue.
ceed. Meaghcr being Roman Catholic,
ard Mitchell Protestant, the support of
both these interests will probably be OBJ
taincd.
Apropos Of Catholics aud Protestants,
must not pass over the dangerous excite
ment which has lately prevailed, and which
has not even yet subsidized in this city, grow
ing out Of unwiss fInaticism. History shows
that religious differences ore always the mus,
implscsble; and the deep feeling which this
receRt difficulty has awakened makes US ap-
prehensive that the flame which has so often
dssolatcd Europe during the last three cen
,uries, must sooner or later DO kindled on
this side Of the Atlantic. God forbid that
civil or religious discord should ever empur-
pie our soil--yet the present signs Of the
times are certainly threatening, rnd spark
may at any time ignite tho fatal train. ~
The most stupendous consequences are
sometimes produced by the most trifl!ng eau.
scs; such has been the case in the present
instance, the excitement having originated in
tho following manner. A porter by the
name Of Parsons, in the employ Of one Of our
down-in-town houses, has for some time back
spent his leisure time on Sundays in going
tho rounds of the docks, and preaching to
such audiences rs he could collect. This
did very we'll Us long as the preacher couiined
himself TO the broad platform Of morality
and religion; but when. three Sundays since
he began to denounce Catholicism, brand
the Pope as IN thief" and abuse priests
and nuns through all the moods and lenses,
he not only abandoned his Legitimate field,
but also gave serious offenye to his listeners,
largc majority Of whom belonged to the
Church thus slandered. It is not at all sur
pris!ng that hostile demonstrations were
soon manifested, and that the over.zealous
porter, having been ignominiously capsizcd,
was compelled to beat hasty retreat. This
having come to the knowledge Of the Uni
tod Americans and other aecret societies,
they resolved to protect him and on the fol.
lowing Sunday he appeared In the same
place and recommended bis diatibes, defend.
ed this timc by nearly thousand able-bod.
led men. Meanwhile tho Mayor, learning
that fight and riot were apprehsnded, gave
an order for the preachers arrest, and ,his
was accomplished in the midit ofhis violent
haranguc. The police being In eonsidera.
bio strength, no attempt at a rescue was then
made; but the crowd proceeded TO tho MAY.
or's house and threatened 10 tear Il down
over his hcad if he did not order the imme.
diate release ofParsons. While the Mayor
was avoiding direct answer, the prisoner
was brought before Justice Wood, and, Il
being found that he had rot violated any
statute, was discharged. On the following
Tuesday night meeting was called In the
Park to vindicate the right Of speech and de.
nonnce the Illegal arrest. This was done
without mincing matters, and the Mayor was
severely handled. II was also announced
that the preaching would be continued on
the following Sabbath. ~
This was last Sunday, and great fears Of
an outbreak were consequently enteyt,inc5