Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-08-14
Riots.

We have not expressed IN opinion as to the
authorship of the late disgrscefu riots in the city
of Louisville nor shall we, for the simple reason
that no one not personally cognizunt OF the facts,
iscompetent to decide correctly at whose door lies
the blame. 1t is enough TO know the melancholy
fact, and it then becomes the cardinal duty of all
good citizens 10 bend their efforts in common d.
reciion exptess their adherence Of the deeds, and
labor together to prevent their recurrence every
where. Ours lisa popular government, based upon
the principle that man in society is capable Of
self.guyeInment, and wien instances such as the
Louisville riots occur.not only do they disgrace the
city and State of their enactment,;but the whole
body polite is contaminated, aud the great cause
of freedom and popular government is itself COM
promised and tarnished in the eyes Of the world.
Had these riots occurred in Kingdom or an Au.
tocracY the arm OF The ruling power would have
been supported by the arms Of soldiers, and d.
rect and effective cheek would have been at once
applied. In country like ours no such armed
force exists. The trust heretofore has been in tue
supremacy per Sc of law and order, in that natu-
IaI aud educational prompting which teaches The
American citizenihat he and all are alike reSpon-
sible for the acts Of the society Of which he is
component part, aud thus heretofore American Cit
gems aVestOod forth TO The world as the bright and
solitary example OF men who aIi"e understood
their rights and responsibilities. and who thus far
had shown themselves competent To maintain the
one and discharge the other.
Unfortunately for the country and the cause Of
which, among nations, ii is the exponent, our hih
erto bright escutcheOn is furnished and the flag of
law aud order must now be hung at half-maSt, in
dcntive alike OF its disgrace and the sorrow Of the
true friends OF freedom. 1t has been reserved to
Louisville, southern city, 10 take the lead in the
race Of IawlessnssS, and dstancing alike PhiIadeI
phia aud Cincinnati, TO arrive solitary at the goal
''where few delight to win," and long may it Ibe
ere she has competitor in the contest OF Iawless
hess, Of disorder, and of disgraceful nobocracy.
We cannot but conclude, much as we dislike
10 do so, that the press OF Louisville haa fallen
short or its duty nPou two occasions. even if its
precerts have not been hurtful. Our readers will
remember our .p osition as to the Ward trial, aud
remember further how much some of the presses
Of Louisville contributed 10 add fuel to the flame
which then roted through their city. Now the
tables are reversed and the press which then was
was the sufferer and the perSecuted, seems now
10 "ride in the wlirwind aud direct the Storm"
We do notnean thstit counselled or fOresaw even
the dreadful consequences, butmodus est in rebus,
ond the violent tone of the press prepared the
people TO expect violence rather than counseIled
them to baud together as brothers and endeavor to
avert it. AIaywe at least hope that the late dis
grace may be turned into good by the American
people, that they will see ''the hidden Shoal with
its patent week. and determine for themselves
that Louisville shall be the lone star in the fnna-
lnent which she has appropriated as her own
May all American citizens reflect that we have
common destiny, aud that whatever may be the
political evils which should be corrected, that still
they can be best modified Gy candid and fair APP
pealto the ballot box and that the judicial tribu-
nails of the land are armed with ample power 10
protect the innocent aud punish the offender
Law, order and Intelligence are the true panOpIy
Of free people.