The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-11-11
BLoopY RroTs nv BALr1MoRn.

\
5th inst, the following account of the Riots
in that city on election day. 1t will be
seen that the Governor of the State want
ed the military called out to quell the rioters
and ensure safety to peaceable citizens, but
the know nothing Mayor would not consent:
at is hardly news to any of our readers
that the city was disturbed by the most dis
graceful riots during the whole of yester-
day. In some part or another from the
time the polls opened until they closed, dis
order and riot prevailed more or less, and
fire arms of every description were freely
used. 1t is equally certain that fraudulent
voting was practiced almost without re-
straint and scarcely disguised, while great
numbers were deprived of their franchise,
either by force and violence at the polls, or
intimidation from the reports current of
what was going on. The history of the
day was a lamentable commentary upon
the assumption of the mayor that he had
adopted sufficient measures for the preser-
walton of the peace. On the contrary, au-
thority seemed powerless disorder soon
grew into riot, and riot eliminated in blood
Gus insufficiency to do any effective thing
for the maintenance of order or for the pro-
lection of citizens in the exercise of their
rights.
| About nine o'clock in the morning His
Excellency Gov. Lyon of the State, ar
rived at the City Hall, accompanied by the
| Secretary of State. Nathaniel Cox, Esq
He was received very kindly by the Mayor
and conversation ensued which lasted
until near ten o'clock. The Governor stat
ed that he had carefully read the cores
pondence which had taken place between
tn c Mayor and General Steuart, and be-
| lieved that, considering all the circlm
stances, his duty required his coming to
Baltimore, and to adopt measures calcula-
ted to preserve The peace of the city. He
was anxious that good order and peaceful
ness should reign throughout, and would
not shrink from the discharge of the duty
| devolving upon him. He believed that the
services of the military should be required
and considered it best to demand their SER
| vices.
The Mayor replied briefly to his remarks,
and stated that he was very sorry that the
| Governor considered it necessary to leave
Annapolis ard be present in Baltimore I'M
der such exciting circumstances. AS for
| himself, he had bestowed the most careful
consideration upon the subject of anticipat-
l.. H.,
| that the civil force would be amply suffi-
| cient. Under the previous municipal ad-
ministrations there had always been more
or less disturbances on the occasion of the
Presidential elections, and he did not believe
it judicious or prudent to attempt to check
any such disturbances by calling the mill
tary into service. He was confident I'M
der the excited state of the public mind
that such a course would prove unwise.
Upon leaving the room, the Governor
was met by several persons from the 4th,
10th, 18th and Goth wards, who complained
on account of being unable to get in their
votes. They had gone to these polls, and
after several attempts were unsuccessful
The Governor listened calmly to their COM
plants. and then referred them to the May
or. At the same time parties appeared be-
fore the Mayor from I'd and 9Th wards, and
rendered similar complaints--to all of which
the Mayor replied that he would either send
the High Constable there or an additional
force of policemen.
About half past three o'clock word came
te the central station that large party of
men from the eighth ward, armed with
muskcts and every description of small
arms, had attacked the seventh ward polls,
and that a riot onsued. twenty-five arm
ed policemen were quickly sent to the |
place, but they found themselves utterly !
unable to cope with either party of the |
rioters. The men from the seventh ward
rallied, and drove back the assailants TO the |
Belair market. They were, however, in !
turn drove back, their .assailants attacking |
the sixth ward. Voting was there suspen-
ded, the judges closeing the window and !
refusing to receive u vote until order was
restored. In few minutes the high con-
stable, deputy high constable and sergeant |
TavnaR repaired to the Belair market, and |
there took possession Of a swivel. They
succeeded in unmounting it, but were fired .
at by number of men armed with muskets,
who were concealed in the market pillars.
Capt. Herring saw one man taking delibe-
rate aim at him with a muskct. He rushed |
forward and seized him, but he was quick
ly forced away. Sergeant Tayman run
man as far as the house corner of French
and Foundry streets, and there took two
loaded muskcts from him. In the mean
time the fight, or battle, as it should be
more appropriately styled, ragged with in
crcasing spirit and fury. Aisquith street.
between Gay and Holland, Holland street,
Orleans street, and the space near the Be
lair market were the scenes of carnage and
dreadful havoc Swivels were freely fired,
with the usual accompaniment of small