The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-16

ere Of their friends, have evinced disposition
to go much too far in the work of retaliation
and herein they are guilty; but this shall not
deter us from the assertion and reiteration of
the great fact, that American bosoms were
stained with blood before American hands
were.
We all know that it was considered very
doubtful, on Monday morning, whether the
whole vote of the city could be polled within
the thirteen hours of the election. The native
born American citizens thought and felt, that
if any portion of the people legally entitled to
vote should hare to stand back and lose their
sufrages, for scant Of time, the .foreign-bOrn
citizens should stand back rather than them
selces. They thought and felt that this ought
to be perfectly manifest eoen to the minds Of
the foreigners. Endoubtedly, they pressed for
acard early and vigorously to the polls, az or
der to be the first, # possible and in this they
mere right They had perfect right to 60, if
they chose, to the polls at IL o'clock on Sun
day night, and remain there until the following
morning. They had a right to go at what time
they pleased, and In what numbers they could.
They had right to toss their friends over the
heads of the crowd to the polls, as we are told
they did in some few instances, though this was
no doubt violation of courtesy. They had a
right to vote as fast as they could, provided
they used no violence in pulling or thrusting
back their opponents from the polls; and we
have not heard it alleged that they did this in a
solitary instance.
From the Louisville Courier, Aug g.
THE REIGN OF TERROR-LOUISVILLE UNDER
MOB LAW
We were prevented yesterday morning from
detailing the facts connected with the pro-
ceedings of Monday, by reason of the threats
md M All Inv
the Know Nothing rioters. These acts of in
timidation were of such nature that, knowing
the desperate character of those who composed
the wicked mob, we did not feel it Just to place
the lives of our workmen in imminent jeopardy
by exposure to unprovoked assaults. No serious
demonstration, however, was made, although,
at different intervals during the night gangs of
the rowdies passed up and down in front of our
office, and with guns, clubs, and brickbats, re-
| connoitering the premises, preparatory to an
attack, should that have been deemed proper
by the ringleaders. We waited, however, in
vain for the assaiants. until daylight.
Yesterday morning we used every exertion
to ascertain the entire and exact truth with
reference to the inception and conduct of the
murderous riot-and we feel satisfied that we
are now enabled to state facts as they occurred.
At none of the places of voting save the
disorder; in fact, there was but little oppor-
tunity for fighting, as the polls in every ward
had been taken possession of by the Know
Nothings; and though, with the exception of
the sixth, they used no violence to hinder any
one in the exercise of the right Of suffrage,
they did that which was worse. Every possible
obstruction was thrown in the way of those
voting who were not recognised as Know Moth
ings. Large crowds were stationed at the
entrance, to shove back Preston voters, while
side and back doors were provided for Marshall
men. In this way, unusual facilities were ex-
tended the members of the American party,
being in itself an outrageous course of action,
with full completely in which we charge the
Know Nothing officers of the election.
In the sixth ward, one of the most quiet and
respectable in the city, foreigners we're driven
from the polls, and then beaten, for presuming
to do that which the Constitution grants them.
About the courthouse there was stationed du-
ring the day party of worthless bullies, who
disgraced the city by their demoniac yells and
acts of rufhanism.