The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-07-03
THE WASHINGTON RIOTS AND THEIR AroIo-

We commend To the attention of readers the
following well-written article from late number Of
the Nashville (Tennessee Union the late riots in
and within few days have been established to the
entire satisfaction of an intelligent and impartial
jury The concluding counsels Of Nashville co
temporary are well-timed, and will have their due
weight with all who are not wilfully blind to the
folly madness and blood thirsty intolerance of know
nottingham:
After all that have and heard of the foul
spirit of know-nothingism, not prepared TO
know-nothing editors in Georgia attempt TO palliate,
much less To justify the conduct OF their party In their
mad attempt TO carry the election in the city of Wash
ngton by of bands of imported rians from Bal
timore But it would If the oaths and obliga-
tons which takes when he enters know nothing
lodge the associations and habits which he there FORMS
change his whole nature, for upon what other principle
account for the that have been enacted in
the election riots in Louisville New Orleans, Baltimore,
and Washington city, 1t is in vain for them to attempt 10
charge the riots upon naturazed citizens In each and
every of these dsgacefu large numbers of peace
able naturazed citizens kept from the polls by bands
Of know nothing rowdies. In the late election in Wash
ngton city large importation of plug uges and ripr
made from Baltimore. These are two noted know
nothing clubs which have several occasions made the
streets of Baltimore to with blood and enabled their
party to carry elections in that unfortunate city by brute
force. Bands of these notorious villains brought to
Washington city the morning of the election The Ma
onal lntegencer paper which has heretofore been ia
vorable to that party that their passage onthe railroad
paid and they fed whilst in Washington by the
citizens of that place All of the Washington papers bear
testimony to their savage deeds AS they arrived
they Joined the know nothing rowdcs of Washington
conducted from place place by them and did their bid
ding They drove the democracy from the ballot-box,
and in precinct caused the inspectors to close the
polls, We have the authority of those who eye
witnesses that during all the time they riong in
al had ,,lnI
nearly twenty of the inhabitants not know nothing
attempted to check them in the least when it is believed
that of the leaders of that party could have
trolled them with word but so Eur from doing this,
they encouraged and urged them on, condemned and in
suited the city authorities for calling out the military to
stop them In their fayorlte amusement of killing and
woundng peaceable citizens and after the riot quel
ed the leaders of the know nohngs in Washington held
indignation meeting and denounced the mayor for
calling out the military and putting stop to the plug
uglies and Washington know -nothings know nothing
paper in Baltimore evidently reoices the exploits Of
the plug ugies in Washington and boasts Of what they
will do in the coming election in Baltimore, and what
naturalized citizens may expect.
g The Louisville journal chimes in and volunteers
defence for its Baltimore associates While we have
asronshmept 10 express Ut tho Of the Baltimore
and Louisville press, free to admit that
unprcpared to find newspapers in Tennessee of that
party disposed to fall into the channel recent
number of the Memphis Eagle and Enquirer, the know
nothing organ OF that city heads article This subject
with the following caption, displayed in large letters
The Washington Tragedy Bloody Work Of the Ad
ministration !Dsarming Of an American Compa
ny! The Irish Retain their Arms The Ameri
cans indicated 7 That paper then proceeds to charge
the democratic journals Of Washington and the National
nelligcncer with having distorted the facts for the pur
pose of making party capital This is the first time
laYe oyer heard the National Integencer charged with
seeking to make capital for the democratic party There
is paper in the country that would not
pect find allied with the democracy but ever the
venerable editor of that paper should take such position
wpa FHg ui;lt
party with whom he has acted pretext oI his dcser
ton. Politically there but few papers in this
try with whom differ widely yet we have never
hesitaed to accord to it integrity of the highest order
and feel satisfied that every attempt to escape the
odum of this dsgraceul riot by identifying that paper
with the democracy will but strengthen the public udg
ment of their guilt.
slhs administration Is assailed because the President
when called upon by the mayor for assistance from the
government troops to aid in qnellng the rioters referred
the matter to the Secretary of War; who ordered out
company of marines They think the President had no
right bring the strong of government to bear in
putting down band of men who, in utter disregard of
law and social order warning upon the rights of
the citizens sacrificing lives, and endngering the prop
erty of all We beg to differ with them. The admins
traon had the authority and would have been guilty of
tho most cppabe neglect had it refused to interfere and
protect the people from the mob The fact that the pro-
prety of such course is questioned by know nothing
papers argues degree of desperation their part which
speaks unavoraby of the present condition of
ciety than were prepared for.
Ii II not time for all sober and well ntentoned peo
pie who may have heretofore acted with that party to be-
gin to ask themselves, whittier tendingr Is it
not time for all lawabidng citizens to whatever party
they may have heretofore belonged to take firm and
manly stand against this spirit of plug yian which is
SO rapidly dusing itself throughout the larger cities
What anticipate If large portion Of our conseva
tive citizens continue to give countenance to such state
of things by acting with party that instead Of dscoun
tenancng, shows every disposition to defend these plug
ugly riprap, and bood-tub combinations Surely there
is occasion for calm and considerable reflection
'tIet every man ask himself what has know nothing
ism done since it first dused itself by secret appliances
over the country What good has it proposedt What
harm has it Accomplished Let them remember Albany,
Cincinnati Louisville, New Orleans, Baltimore and
Washington. Let them review its effect upon the
churches in turning the sacred desk into political
trum alternating the pastor from his people, and in many
instances entirely destroying his usefulness Let them
remember the social disorders and loss OF confidence that
sprung up during lbs ercest reign in neghborhoods and
communities. Let them remember the thorough repu
diation it has met with throughout the country, and
then ask themselves why longer aid in keeping up such
faction merely to annoy and distract the communities
In which it retains temporary power r.
HON 0. II. SINGLETON.
II ia with great qualification that we announce this