Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-16
From the Washington Union

From tho washington Union
Statement OF Eye-witness.
We find in the indianapolis Seaiinei the fol-
lowing letter from louisville, Kentucky, written
by gentleman who was present during the dread
ful scenes which he describes:
LOUISVILLE, Aug. Z, 1855
EDIToRs SENTINEL: Ii is with feelings Of deem
modification that sit down to detail the horrible
scenes of yesterday If what | witnessed is a
fair specimen Of g Americans ruling America, I"
then the elective franchise is mockery and lib
erty an empty deluson.
The Know-nothing blackegs and professional
gamblers who all members of the ORDER had
bet largely on the result of the election. To win
their bets by fraud and violence, hundreds Of
armed DULLES were transported to the city.
Their plans were concocted in know-nothug
lodges. Their signs and signals were all under
stood, and during the terrible day they were faith
| FULLY and promptly executed.
On Monday morning at o'clock, the places
OF voting in the list and 9Th wards, which are
the strong Democratic precincts, were taken
possession Of by the Know-nothings. A few of
the old Democratic citizens in these wards were
permitted TO vote in the morning, but all Others
who were unable to give the signs were rudely
thrust from the polls. This state of things pre-
vailed to agreater or less extent in all the wards
III an freshman or German attempted to approach
the polls, he was driven back with bloody mis-.
siles. Natve-born American citizens who were
unable TO give the proper signs and signals shared
the same fate. To entitle citizen to the privilege
| OF voter he must, to the Know nothing
slang, be right on the goose question:"
by ten O'Clock the city was under the control of
| a lawless know-notling mob-neither life nor
| property was safe. At this crisis, Hon. William
r. Thomasson, formerly Wing member Of Con-
gress from the city, and a gentleman of high
character and standing, mounted the rostrum
and implored them as good citizens to desst from
such course He had, however, spoken but
moments, when the Know-nothng signal for
blood was given, and he was instantly knocked
down by a club, in the hands of some assassin
who approached him in the rear. About this
time Colonel Preston, the anti know-nothin
| candidate for Congress, appeared at the first,
which is the large Democratic ward, composed
chiefly OF German naturalized citizens and re-
quested his friends not TO attempt to vote He
stated to them that the polls were in the hands
OF Know nothing DULLES, that his friends could
not approach the polls in safety, and advised
them to retire peaceably to their homes, and sub
INIT to Acknowledgement, rather than eHdanger
their lives. The result was that out of $500
votes In the city, only $500 were polled Two
thousand Democratic voters were by violence de-
Prived of the right of suffrage. 49,
In the afternoon fight occurred in the first
ward, which ended in the discharge of the fire.
arms, and the death of several persons The
Know nothing mob then commenced tearing
down the business houses and private dwellings
occupied by German citizens rush was then
made for the Catholic church, and the cry fire
their damned PoPish den'' rang out. The
mayor appealed to them, and the mob desisted.
ihey then made a rush for the large brewery
owned by u German citizen, and, after tearing
out the inside, and distributing the beer, they
hired the building, and it was burned to ashes
The know-nothing fire companies appeared ON
the ground, but did nothing except to carry off
the beer and ale casks. But the most terrible
and heart.rendlng scene occurred in the lower
part of the city, where the Irish population prin-
cpaly reside.
About SIX O'Clock in the evening the Know
nothing DULLES, armed to the teeth with muskets
and large brass cannon, under the control OF
Captain Stone, proceeded to that part of the city
Every lrishman that made his appea rance was
assaulted and beaten The groceries in that
vicinity were broken in, their contents scattered
over the streets, and the liquors divided among
the thirsty crowd. A general fight ensued, shots
were fired from houses that were being stoned
and number on both sides were killed and
wounded. - ~
The buildings on both sides of Main street. be-
tween 10th and 18th, were fired Every freshman
who showed himself was shot down Here fol-
lowed scene which neither tongue nor pen can
describe. My heart sickens at the recital
Men lying dead in the street, women who car
ried out the bedding and household goods were
oNoaui'ou, anu tHcir dSoHlZiHg cries Tor mercy
were met BY hooking groans Of derision. saw
a poor Irish woman with an infant clnging to
her neck, trying to save her bed, kicked across
the street, and her bed burned; the Know no
thing hend crying in derision to her, g Worship
the Pope, will your g Ven learn you that .fnpe-
ricans ,ciH rule .4merica." 1t is impossible 10
| tell the number Of killed; one man was hung,
and five burned alive.
About III O'Clock the signal was given TO de-
molish the Democrat and IinsSs printing Offices.
rush was made, but Prentice, thinking it was
time to stop, appealed to them TO desist, which
they did after bursting the windows and burning
the sign of the Times office.
At about II o'clock a move was made for the
German part ofthe city, and as retired, sickened
with the scenes of the day, large fire was raging
in that direction. | have not learned this morn
ing the result of their doings. This is specimen
OF " americans ruling .americu ~ If it is to pre-
vail, then there is security for life, liberty or
property. During the scenes of boodshed and
rot IN the 9Th ward, no attempt was made by the
Know nothing mayor to arrest the mob, or pre-.
vent bloodshed and murder No attempt was
made by the police to arrest any one. . Peaceable
citizens were shot down, and their murderers
permitted, with loaded guns, to stalk around in
search OF more victims, But this letter Is already
too long have no comments. ~
AN EYEWITNESS. III
NEGRO