New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-22
KNOw-NOTHING AND IRISH RIOTS.

NOh-NOinlNU AMI AnicLi nAOto.
To the Editor Of TIE " Y Trburs
SIR: As it seems TO be fixed principle in news
paper writing always TO decide against the Irish
right wrong, it is not my intention to question the
liberty of the press or oppose public opinion on the
subject but merely, by few remarks TO sugges.
that little show OF justice might perhaps tend
to the evils OF rotiDg and disorder than our
authorities seem to be aware Of
In the first place, riot cannot very well DO man
aged upess there are two parties concerned, both
generally more less in fault. Now is snOtorious
fact that, wherever collision has taken place be-
tween the Irish and the knsw-NOthings, the latter
have slwsys been permitted TO escape aud the Irish
oalv arrested and punished This is unjust Net
one Know Nothing rioer was molested by the suthor
tiles at Will nsbureh although the occasion Of
Harrisous funeral, they made an attack upon Irish
dwelliDgs end sferwsrd or Catholic Church.
The Irish arrested conld have no witnesses in their
favor from the fact that the moment Irishmsn
pre- sented himself, assumed TO know anything Of
the matter he taken up as psrticipstor; while
on the other hand, the secret order of Know
Noihings, sworn 10 protect each other without re-
strction in every difficulty. had brothers in authority
You may remember last Fourth July twelvemontn,
when difficulty occurred between al Irish society
and a stsge-driver. Gangs Of Know. Nothings, in
Testing the Eighth and Ninth Wards, rushed upon the
former beat them and destroyed their banners. No
one cas injured bat The Irish and yet they the
only persons arrested and punshed-the other party,
rho committed the assault, were as they said, aiding
the Police
During the advent Of the street preachers If an
Irishman attempted to open bis mouth, made use
of the liberty OF speech he was instantly set upon by
the " Guard Of L,beyty," who surrounded the
preacher and sfter being soundy beaten, was borne
TO the station by an efficient Policeman.
This mode of dispensing the laws, all on one side,
is unjust 10 both parties concerned 1t will tend to
brutalize our native Know Nothing population, aud
give them confidence in rIotinR NTH imD9Rty,
which, in little time, will set all law and order at de-
iance; vbile on the other hand, Adopted Citizens
must feel there protection for them either as re-
CARDS life or property. Respectfully submitting those
remarks for your consideration, remain yours,
JUSTICE.
PenarLs-Justice's rule that whenever a riot oc-
ours there must be some fault on either side,
is disproved by himself. In the case of the
Williamsburgh riots, since ElecsOn day, there
has been but one party in fault, rs JUS
tce himself AYERS. And if he will only procure
evidence whereby these rioters may be Identified,
will do as much to get them convicted ever did
TO bring rioters TO justice; and We assure
him that Mayor Wall will do likewise.
In the 4th OF July previous referred to, we under
stand that the procession first resorted to violence 20
turn the sagedryers of their way, and when the
Police iuteriered, resisted that interference. The
origin Of the Electiondsy riots in Wliamssurgh has
already been forth 10 columns, and the blame
placed where it belongs. We beg " Justice not to
stand up for voters whether native foreign but To
insist that they shall all be dealt with vigorously.
There is no other safe or wise course.-Ed.