Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-09-19
Gbe Stan1atb*
RALEIGH. SATURDAY. SEPT. Is. 1855.
THE SALEM MOB,

We copy from the Salem - PresS an artlcie
which that paper styles true statement of the
facts III relation to the mob in Salem.
The Press" strives to create the impression that
the insult offered to Dr. Riddick unprecedented
that there was no understanding beforehand in re-
gard 70 il among the rowdes assembled on the
casion Now we learn that it is notorious fact
about Salem, that the contemplated row was known
even among the boys of the village, at least an hour
before it took place-whch goes to show that the
whole affair was premeditated and pre-arranged by
older heads.
We learn that the language used towards DR.. Rid
dick was of the most shocking and blasphemous ma
ture-tbreats were thrown out that if he made his
appearance on the street, he would be shot, torn to
pieces, &c.-together with oaths and curses-utter-
ed, it is stated, in part by members of the Church
too horrible to be repeated.
The Press" admits that the rowdies referred to
did use insulting language towards DIR. Riddck; and
this, of ITSELF was provocaton to breach Of the
peace That paper adds that they did not attempt
any violence on his person but it does not deny
at they threatened to takt his life in case he made
his appearance on the street.
The Press :" also attaches but slight importance
to the treatment of DR.. Riddick next morning. when
he was on his way home, and when near the Bank
The fellow Hughes it seems, according to the "Press"
and some of his brother scamps-only saluted -
the Doctor with bells and tin pans that was all
they did not leave Hughes premises. The "Press"
is evidently ticked with this part of the outrage;
and we think it more than probable that Hughes,
who is doubtless K. n, has already received the
thanks of his brethren of Salem for the display he
made on the occasion of his G. intense American !"
feelings.
All this took place in the quiet and peaceable town
of Salem-an inoffensve, honorable was insul-
ted twice by assemblages of rowdcs, instigated by
their leaders and superiors and his life threatened
for no other reason than that he had chosen to think
and act for himself in politics! His crime was that
he had Joined and afterwards denounced the Know
Nothings! This is "Americanisna us it! This
is the party of liberty-the party which puts no
shackles upon the mind or body-the party of Amer
leans, of Washington, of free thought! God dev
er the country from such an organization, say we
"By their fruits shall ye know them"
Suppose DR.. Riddick had gone into the street, as
he had right to do and his life had been taken in
the fight that would have ensued-upon whose skirts
would his blood have been Answer us that, ye
ong-faced hypocrites-y gooa citizens, who, though
ye dare not justify open mob violence are yet ready
to excuse approaches to mob law, and consequent
shedding of human blood.
Look at Louisville the blood of twenty natural
lied citizens, slain as the result Of the Know Noth
ing orqanisution, cries to Heaven for vengeance.
was there that your Order burned and sacked hous
es drove and beat naturalized citizens from the polls
and made war, with the bowie and revolver, upoI
women as well as upon boys and men! We ente
our solemn protest against any and every thing
which may be calculated to lead to similar scenes il
North Carolina. Let men do as they wish in poll
tics-let them vote, or refuse to vote-let then
20 for their principles, abandon their principles
or advocate no principles at ail-let them be Know
Nothings, or Democrats, or Wings, or ant-Know
Nothings, and sustain or approve whom they pleas
for office; but keep your pistols and your bowl
knives, if you have them, in your houses-threate
no mans life for the exercise of his independer
judgment in political affairs and let all stand or ia
as the people, actuated by pure motives and gov
erned by reason, may decide. Distant be the da
when any other views of the rights and duties {
the citizen shall prevail in North Carolina
The respectable-the better portion of the peopl
of Salem no doubt regret this occurrence, which
calculated, as they must feel, to irure the characte
Of their town. Our remarks are not intended fo
. them but for those who took part in the mob, 9
who now endeavor to justify and excuse it.