Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-24
MOST IMPORTANT.

MOST IMPORTANT.
Testimony of the Rev. Mr.. Coleman, Pastor of
Trinity (Episcopal Church, Southwark and
editor of the Banner of the Cross.
" The SOUTHWARK RIoTs.--The United States
Catholic Magazine complained at the time that we
were altogether silent, in re erencc to the dreadful
outrages of May last in northern district of Phila-
delphia and we had at first determined to leave
also to the secular papers any notice of the awful
scenes of last Sunday in Southwark, four own
parish and residence) of which we were com
PEELED to be eyewitness. The accounts which
have appeared in them have no doubt already ac-
quanted all our readers with the shocking particu-
lars I; but those at distance may not be so well
informed of what we deem it duty to make
known; and that is, that the late disturbances
were WHOLLY PROVOKED BY R0MANISTS.
Whatever doubts may have existed as to the re-
mote cause or immediate occasion of the Kensing-
ton Riots, there can be none in the present case.
During the whole of the great excitement conse-
| quent upon the former, Southwark remained quiet
and peaceful; the same tranquility and good order
continued afterwards ito reign and the deport-
mont of its citizens, of all classes most pacific
| and exemplary. 1t is perfectly absurd to pretend
/ that the least deanger to the Romsh Church (St.
| Philip de Ner) could really have been apprehend-
| ed. Yet, under all these circumstances Of order
and peace this church is armed in open daylight,
and the most formidable preparation for deadly
i COnHlCb Win ihunhStc, pfSbolS, kdhpONuSI,
slugs, balls, &c. Twentyfour hours before this be.
came generally known, one of the most respectable
gentlemen of the district predicted in conversa-
ton with us, what the result would be and il
could not but have been foreseen by any one of or
binary sagacity. Was it designed to exasperate
the population, and to bring about the subsequent
scenes Of violence and bloodshed? Such is, SC
far as we have heard expressed, the universal opn
ion of this community; and the least that can be
said is, that there is just ground for suspicion We
must not omit TO add that throughout all the tunult
and desolation, NOT A SINGLE R0MANIST sus.
tanned the slightest injury in person or property.
Yet their periodicals are ringing with the ridicu.
lous charges Of persecution and antiCatholc
| riots
1--WE write under no other feelings than those OF
| deep pain and sorrow, and were enabled to main
tain the same calmness throughout the whole OF
| the late melancholy ccunences-which may be
believed when we state that several articles in our
i present number were written amidst the roar o
artillery, in the square adjoining our dwelling, the
frequent whistling of bullets, as they passed the
window Of our study, and the clash and din Of arms
on every handl Nor do we wish TO produce ex
element, in others But il is impossible TO close
our eyes TO the fact that we have reached an omi-
nous and most important juneture. We can no
longer doubt that a severe and searching struggle
is fast approaching Recent events should break
in avoice of thunder upon the ear Of every Ameri-
can Protestant.
Judge Jones, in his charge 10 the Grand Jury, on