The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-09-09
back Of the head and from the check Uoor

pack oi the mead and from the cheek. non d
thorough examination Ffound that he had received
nye siugs in different parts Of bis person, two Of
mem mere scratches, beside three Others in his hat
ana clothes. Beside these four, which were within
SIX feet three or four Others were killed or wounded
within fifteen OF twenty feet Of me. All present,
except one NAB, testify that the assault upon the
citizens ut this corner was entirely unprovoked by
the slightest demonstration of riotous spirit.
According 70 the evidence Of two or three
intelligent witnesses, who stood near the swivel
when It was captured, and who had been drawn
there by desire to preserve the peace, but one
pistol shot was fired before. the Marines let fly a
shower OF balls from nine or ten muskets indis-
criminately into the crowd. Mr.. Wallach the
late Marshal of the District, was one of these wit
nesses, and his evidence was most clear and
pointed TO this effect. He had been endeavoring
70 persuade those In charge of the swivel to leave
or carry it away. They were youths from sixteen
To twenty-five years of age. He twice succeeded
IN turning The swivel around, by the aid Of other
hw-abiding citizens but the rowdies Immediately
turned it back. These disinterested Witnesses
friends OF peace and order, testify positively to
the effect above stated, and their evidence must
be regarded as conclusive against that adduced BY
the prosecution to show that several pistols were
fired. In TRUTH the most calm and intelligent
witnesses for the prosecution sustain the test.
mony of Mr.. Wallach. Fine testimony of Marines
who were for the most part raw recruits and
evidently frightened cannot be taken against that
OF scores of disinterested spectators In regard
TO the firing upon Alston's corner, the excuse
alleged for it is that pistol was fred from
that point at the Marines, and that some
seven or eight men were. seen to step Or
rush into the street and throw brickbats or
stones at the Marines. This was sworn to by
but one man, policeman while dozen
respectable persons testified that no pistol was
fred nor bricks thrown from that point think
could not fail to have heard pistol fred within
ten or twenty feet OF me, and should most likely
have seen the bricks had any been thrown One
of the witnesses for the Defence as to this point
is clerk in one Of the Departments, and not
likely on that account to have his feelings biased
in favor of the prisoners. Another man, strongly
Democratic" in his feelings, and who has since
been appointed TO Government clerkship, would
if called upon, have testified to the same effect
Indeed, several OF the most important witnesses
for the defence are known to be Democratic in
their afinities Marine, a young Irishman, tes.
tilted that he was struck with brick on the head
and that he Immediately attempted to fire at the
crowd in front of him, without knowing who was
to be the victim Of his deadly weapon His
musket " snapped" when he recocked it and fred
away in perfect recklessness of consequences.
When asked who ordered him to fire, he said he
e.
pulled away. The officers deny having given the
command, and thus attempt to shift upon the
Marines the responsibility of the bloody scenes
which were witnessed at Alstons corner.
Fourteen victims fell dead or MORALLY wounded
in this bloody massacre, and at least TWENTY-FIVE
Others received wounds more or less severe. Some
three or four, or perhaps halfadozen were
wounded by the rowdies, but none fatally be-
lieve.
have given only brief outline Of the affair but
enough, think, to awaken inquiry into the cir
cumstances. The daily press of Washington, as
you are aware, is supported out of funds derived
from the United States Treasury and without ex-
ception its voice was unanimous IN giving an &C.
count of the transaction exculpatory of the au-
thorities. The National L.teliigeacer is managed
in its local department by violent Anti Noth
ings, and the local reporter is an Englishman. OF
the Union, Star and States, il is sufficient to
cay that they all worship the occupant of the
White. House, and aspire to be organs. THE Ma
tionat Era, though differing with its city cotem-
poraries on the Goose" has chronic antipathy
to Know othingism, and being a weekly, copied
the partial statements of The Star and Kafelli-
ge,teer. +a Ha4 as
This unanimity OF the Washington press deceived
even the Know-No hings at distance, and their
presses re-echoed the partial statements to which
have referred. But the late trial, it is to be
hoped, will throw new light upon the subject 1
understand that full report Of the case is to be
made from shorthand notes of the testimony, by
Sutton, an excellent reporter. The Court, the
District Attorney and the counsel for the defense
all concurred in paying him the'compliment of ap
pealing to his notes when in doubt as TO the evil
dence any witness had given.
Without the slightest sympathy with the rioters,
think the City and Federal authorities have been.
guilty OF all atrocous usurpation of power in this
affair, and that the course they have taken Ia a.
high-handed step toward military despotism.
A REPUBLICAN.