The Washington union., 1857-06-04
rNctrrNG M RIor

INCrTING TO RIOT
Ii viii scarcely be credited abroad that meeting
held in this city on Tuesday evening last for the
purpose ofsustaning mob spritand excusing murder
and to tax the credulty the distant reader still fur
ther may add that the geters-up of this meeting,
well several of the persons who addressed it,
occupy respectable positions in the community, and
have or supposed to have, some interest in the
maintenance of the laws and the preservation of the
peace. The meeting is thus briefly noticed in the
telographic correspondence of the Baltimore Sun
'WAsHlS0roS, June "A large meeting held to-
night In front of the City Hall in regard to the riot The
speakers General McCalla, DR.. Clayton Council
Lloyd, all of the American party who spoke of the
killing of persons by the marines the day of election
cruel, cowardly and bloody Of the inno-
cent and Of the conduct of the executive authorities
tamplng under foot of the sacred rights of citizens and
of law and order.
Mr. Moyds advice to be prepared for the next at
tack elected spontaneous cheers of appreciation AT the
same time he invoked them to preserve the peace
committee of two from each ward appointed to pre-
pare suitable resolutions and call adjourned meeting
after the inquest all the victims has been concluded
Let us take hasty glance at the dreadful occur
rences of Monday last. On that day election was
held in this city for municipal officers There were
two tickets in the field: the one supported by the
know-nothings, and the other by the Union party,
composed of democrats and old-line wings. The
polling proceeded, and on all sides it is conceded
that the Union men actumted by a sincere de-
sire that the election should be conducted in a
peaceabe and equitable manner, and that all who
legally entitled vote should exercise tile priv
ileges of the elective franchise in the reest manner
By neither word nor deed that fatal day did they
attempt to interfere directly indirectly, with the
rights of their opponents. While quietly exercising
one of the highest privileges of the citizen, what
was the conduct of the know-nothings or at least
a portion of that dangerous organization? Anx-
ious to disturb the peace and thus prevent a fair
expression of the public voice. and yet afraid that
they had not strength enough, ferocty enough to
carry out successfully their mobbish murderous pur-
poses they engage the services of gang of despor
ate rufians in the neighboring city of Baltimore,
bring them to Washington and let them loose upon
our peaceabe inhabitants. With what fidelity they
carried out the infamous instructions of their EN-
ployers last Mondays bloody work will fully attest
In few hours after their arrival the whole city was
completely at the mercy of mob. They had full
possession Of one voting precinct, and were prepared
to take possession of other precincts. Inoffensive
citizens had been shot, stabbed, and assaulted with
murderous missiles The police force small in num-
bers, but resolute in spirit, had been literally
beaten off the ground; and it became apparent
to all that without the prompt nterposition of the
military, the frightful scenes of Louisville and New
Orleans would be re-enacted here on still more
fightful scale. In this emergency the mayor sought
and obtained the muchneeded aid to protect the
lives and property of our citizens. Not trigger
pulled until it was evident that further forbear
would be attended with the most appalling re-
suits The firing of the marines was in reality an act
Of humanity. The rioters dispersed, order was re-
stored, and the supremacy Of the law acknowledged
and maintained.
And yet Mr.. Lloyd tells his hearers to be prepared
for the next attack. What does this counsel mean if
it does not mean, "Arm yourselvesl cut stab shoot
down citizens peaceably and lawfully exercising one
of their dearest privileges and if the military are
called out to stay your bloody, murderous work see
that you have enough and ammunition enough
to make successful resistance"
Mr. Lloyd, and all who think with Mr.. Lloyd, will
soon discover, if they have not already discovered
that the time has gone by in this city when such adj
vice can be safely given or successfully followed.
We have faith in the prevention than the put
ting down of mobs and the meters of riots cannot
be too soon taught that they are as much amenable
to the law if they actually took part with their
wretched tools and dupes.
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.