The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-08-19
THE RIOT TRIALS.

NOuEv ot8uuB ussCf tueotiity W eBhOV NPSH
verdict, when Judge Crawford, who had ascer-
tanned from them, that their disagreement pro-
ceeded from difference of opinion on the facts
proved, and not from any doubts on the legal
questions involved, discharged the Jury and ad-
journed the Court to the next regular term, in
December. YlNy ~ 49, &
Thus has terminated, for the present, one OF the
most remarkable trials ever Witnessed in any CIV
ilized community, to be revived at the next term,
unless the United States authorities, SHALL In the
mean time he forced, by public opinion, to cease
their cruside against the American-born citizens
| OF Washington. of course. we have 10 means OF
Judging what effect has far been produced,
upon the views feelings and purposes Of the par
ty in power, by the palpabla and overwhelming
destruction which has overtaken the assumptions
| on which this prosecution was based.
| This trial forms an epoch in American history.
1t is the first instance known to us in the United
States, in which one political party has Obtained
| the aid of the Federal Government, through the
Joint fundamentally of the military forces, and the
forms Of Judicial proceedings, to PROSTATE an an
tagonistic political party. We would fain hope 1t
will be the last, but that may depend upon the
|
shall rebuke this first attempt to crush out" and
destroy, by such infamous means, rival politicm
| organization.
| An election for city officers was held In Wash
ington on the lst day Of June, and on that occa-
sion, the same excitement and the common occur
rences Of election days. witnessed at the polls
of the lst precinct Of the Fourth Ward. Fifteen
or twenty Plug Uglies" came to Washington
from Baltimore, on the morning of the election,
they having heard that rival party, denominated
the Empires" had previously come over from
the same city, to aid the sham Democracy.
The Plug Uglies" made their appearance near
the polls, at the above-named precinct, at time
when column of naturalized foreigners number
ing perhaps one hundred, had virtually possession
of the avenue TO the ballot box, and that too, by
| concert when an Irishman, on being asked whe-
tber he had his papers," responded tauntingly,
"No; bat have a brick y general ARRAY
was thus created, and in the melee perhaps half
dozen perse ms we're slightly injul ed-the column
was broken up---a general stampede took place,
some Of the parties jumping into the windows OF
the room which the Commissioners Of Election
4 occupied; the Commissioners left with the ballot
was over peace was restored, and the Commits
sioners, in less than half an hour, resumed their
4 places, and the voting proceeded even more rap
idly and just quietly as before the disturbance.
This is the proof by dozen unmpeached wit
nesses. pA
After the polls had been reopened, whilst voting
was going on peaceably Mayor Magruder, applied
for the Marines, and the President directed them
to be placed under the Mayors charge.
About p NJ the Marines came to the neigh
borhood of the polls. The Commissioners closed
the polls the approach of the Marines, and re-
fused to open them IN the presence of the Ma
rines.
A small swivel had been brought TO the neigh
borhood, because Of the ordering out of the Ma
rines, and the parties having it in charge svowed
their purpose 10 defe I'd themselves and the people
from the assaults of the Marines.
The Marines charged upon the swivel (Which
was spiked previously and captured it, and near
, about the same moment pistol or two was dis
{ charged and some stones thrown at the Marines,
: who, (,cithout orders, IL is now said fired some
60 or 70 shots indiscrimnately, killing and wound
, ing some % or 80 by ISLANDERS who had no part
in the ARRAY.
In order to throw the blame of this slaughter
: upon the American party" the press of Wash
ngton published onesided views Of the occurrence
and a grand jury of between 30 and "a persons,
| of W hon. not one was an american" (by party
Il designation) made report wholly onesided, and
y brought in indictments against those "Ameri
; cans" whom the police designated as having been
~ | rnost active on the occasion
Thirteen Of those Americans" were put on
trial some three weeks ago upon an indictment
u for riot The jury empanelled on the occasion
) was composed of nine dnti-Americans (some O.
! them exceedingly bitter partisans) and three per
sons who, though not designated as Americans,
9 had sympathies in favor Of Americanism. OF the
jury, FIVE were in favor of an scquitta and sever
9 for conviction. Two anti Americans on the jur
we're opposed to a conviction.
0 The proofs submitted on eit'er side will soon
i be spread before the country, as reported by the
, accomplished reporter for the United States
e Senate, Mr. Sutton. The speeches of Messrs
e Darlington Scott Ellis, and Bradley, for the de
fence will also be published, first in this paper
: and then in volume, with the testimony, and the
arguments of the United States Attorney. The
e county can then Judge of the matter inteilgbly
and we venture TO predict that the judgment of al
o candid and fair minded men will be, that more
shameful, partisan, and vindctiye prosecution has
d never disgraced the pages Of judicial history.
We give to-day the speech Of Mr.. Darlington
first in order of tme,) and shall next week pre-
sent that of Mr.. Scott, Of Virginia; then the
speech of Mr. Ellis, closing with that of Mr.. Brad
: ley. We have heard but opinion pronounced
upon these speeches, and that opinion is, tina
they are worthy Of the fame Of their authors, anC
. that they have demolished the fabric reared b.
the prosecution