The Washington union., 1857-06-06
THE wAsHINGroN ELECTION RIOTS.

THE WASHINGTON ELECTION RIOTS.
There are some facts connected with this matter
which are undeniably true:
l. There was city election on Monday last under
aaw ofCongrcss and there two tickets regularly
nominated-the Union and the know-nothing. That
last year the Union party elected the mayor by a
small majority, and was likely to prevail this year.
@ That the judges of election this year were all
appointed by the know-nothings, and they selected
the place of voting and designated the mode and
manner of receiving votes.
g. That some forty or fifty reckless rowdies and
bulles came here from Baltimore. Their fare here
and back was all paid by one person. That their
meals here were all ordered by one person and paid
for by ono person. That when here they mostly
roamed about the city in body accompanied by
knownothngs very many of whom congenia
spirits. They brought with them sundry kinds of
weapons, more less deadly, including revolvers,
pistols, bowie-knivcs, billies, and dirks.
A. That while here the know-nothings treated
them associates and marched from place to place
and poll opoll with them.
5. That know-nothing, having in his possession
brass cannon formerly borrowed from the navy-yard
let know-nothing rowdes bring it from near that
place. and when the chief Of police drew its charge
he found it heavily loaded and among other deadly
things it contained eight paving stones, about sixty
rife balls, and pounds of slugs and coarse shot.
6. That these Baltimore plug uglies, and their
know nothing associates, made an assault upon the
Union men at the first precinct in the Second Ward,
fired several pistols, wounded one man. resisted the
police beat them severely and drove them from the
polls That the leading citizens closing their stores
in the vicinity and preparing to defend the polls,
the plug uges and the knownothing bullies left the
polls and did not return.
7. That the plug uglics and their associates drew
the cannon from Pennsylvania avenue, over quarter
of mile, to near the Seventh-street Market where
apoll was open for the Fourth Ward
g. That these rioters caused the poll to be closed
(but for which it is supposed the entire Union ticket
would have been elected, and Emory defcated) and
they kept the Union and all others from voting.
0. That, in consequence of the forcibe resistance
to the execution of the laws, and preventing citizens
ercsng the elective franchise the mayor was induced
to call upon the President for aid to sustain the laws
and the of his ordering out the marines to
quc the Disturbances and to protect the citizens in
voting.
10. That the marines attended at the Seventh
street poll, where the mayor addressed the rioters
ana urged them to allow the election to proceed and
read the law to them That the plug uglies and their
friends, instead of yielding to the law and request of
the mayor, endeavored to fire the cannon, and one
sought to shoot Gen. Henderson with a pistol and
wasprevented by blow on the arm from marine
H. That by order of their officers the marines,
with liked bayonets, drove the plug ugles and their
friends from the cannon, and took it from them that
ereupon they fired their reviewers and pistols and
rew stones brickbats, and other missiles upon the
marines, citizens and whoever might be in range,
and killed some and wounded others, including per
sons who were quietly in their own houses and
that, under this CALLING attack the marines fired one
VolIey upon the rioters, and they scattered firing
and throwing missiles they went Whereupon
peace and order restored.
IL That not single know nothing is known to
have said one word or did one thing to arrest the
acts OF the plug ugles and their rowdy associates,
'hough many were present, and among them sew
eral who have hitherto been regarded as respecta-
BILE and influential citizens, and who could at almost
any stage of the riot have put an end to the dsor-
DER and prevented the cffusion of blood and the
closing of the poll.
10. That the know-nothing party here, including
Their leaders, instead Of aiding in detecting and pun
"hlng the criminal secrete whoever they can and
approve the conduct of the offenders, and condemn
those who upheld the laws and the leading men of
'ne party are getting up public meeting to approve
O the conduct of the plug ugies and the other bully
rowdies, and to denounce those who sought to pre-
serve the peace uphold the laws, and protect the
elector in giving his vote
other facts will soon be developed. But we sub
NIT these to the thinking and well meaning, and ask
mon to reflect and express their opinions upon them
'an peace and order-lovihg men, who believe in
government Of laws in protecting the innocent and
pshing the guilty approve the course of the know
nothing leaders, as developed in their notorious and
inolsputabe acts? Are such means to be resorted
10 IN all parts Of the country to regulate elections
whenever it is found democrats or Union men will
uiumphH