Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-06-09
{ fFrOm the national InteiIigeneer.l
The yvasbingtoa Election Riot.

y -.
vass nothing like incorporates or bitterness Oh
ing ON the subject Of the election was visible IN any
quarter amongst US, although IT was evident
that each of the parties seeking the control OF the
civ government would do their best in legitimate
way to gain their point. And we still ttiak not
withstanding the unparalleled events of yesterday,
thai. these views were in the main correct.
OF course we could not suppose that any arrange
ments had been mad stor the introdue Of bands
of intrusive strangers from abroad to interfere with
the full and free exercise of that very moderate
share Of voting fails to the lot Of IN
this District By tie earliest train yesterday morn
lug, and, is believed, by the subsequent train,
bands Of illlooking men, mostly a year OF two un4
der age, with the generic and suggestive title Of
aPlng-U giies,R arrived from Baltimore crowding
our Sidewalks, aud exhibiting, by their manner
aud speech, how we'll their employers had calcutta
ted in bringing them on to do any work that was
designed to be criminal and jdisorderly.
The first fruits or this viilanoGs importation were
manifested 6etween9 and 10 o'clock at the frst pre-
cfnct of the Fourth Ward. There can be no doubt
that all was quietly proceeding, the voters being
drawn up line, each patiently waiting his TURF
when sudden attack was made. upon naturaiized
citizen I'M the rank OF voters, and effort made to
drive all such from the polls: In this onslaught
and the fence which by it, several
serious wounds were delivered as weihupons native
as naturalized citizens. Mr.. Richird Owens, Com
missioner of the Ward, was badly. shot in the arm
as well wounded IN, the head Mr.. f. "A. Klopfer
strucksin the forehead by spent shot;eMr. George
ID. Spencer severely bruised on the left cheek by
stone thrown bya not four feet distant; Justice
Goddar stricken in three places with brick bats;
Justice Dom stonedi Officer H. Degges bruised IN
the chin; Capt. Bagsott. Chief of Police, Policeman
Birkhead, and other policemen were wounded and
driven from the fela.e The result of this was that
naturalized citizens were compelled I'd limb
and life By general retirement from the scene;
and it is matter of certainty that fear and disgust
at such doings have combined materially u dimin-
ish the vote that would have been otherwise polIed
About half past ten o'clock the imported rowd q
appeared at the lower precinct of the second Ward,
and fired about dozen pistol shots, one of them
taking effect upon the forehead of bystander. 1t
was matter OF establishment to nota few that these
impudent disturbers of the peace were allowed to
range up and down without molestation.
Representations having been made to the Mayor
of the utter inability of thepolice and magistracy
to keep the polls open at the first precinct of the
Fourth Ward 10 all classes of voters, he deemed it
proper apply to the President ofthe United States
for adequate force for that purpose, which he did IN
the following letter 1850
MAYoas OFFICE, WASHINGTON, June l. 1857
To the Pre,idsat ofLhs Uhled Sales:
SIR Upon the representation 81 credible citizens
that band OF lawless persons, most of them not
residents OF this city, have attacked of the polls
at which the annual election is ow.fh progress an
after wounding some good and peaceable citizens
have eriven the remainder from The polls and dis
persed the Commissioners of Election and threat
ened further violence z, any attempt to carry on
the election lespectfaty request you to order out
the company of-United States Marines BOW in this
city TO maintain the peace thereof the civil author
tiles finding themselves unable to do SO with the
means at their disposal and their being no other
United States soldiers in this city your disposal
have Instituted personal inquiry into this matter
and find that the weapons used were various kinds
of firearms, clubs; knives and Stones and that the
facts as stated in the enclosed certificate lust and
true. rnHaRs W. b. MAGRUDER, Mayor.
This letter was referred by the President to the
Secretary of the Navy, who promptly placed ITO
Marines, under the command of Major TYLER and
Capt. Maddox, at the disposal of the CITY, They
were accordingly marched the aforesaid precinct
Gen. Henderson, of the same corps, ACCOMPANYING
the panty, III citizens dTess Before the Marines
left their barracks Gen. Hendet addressed them
as follows: Soldiers, you have always done your
duty in the face of the enemies of your country
/ expect you now TO do your duty in unfolding the
laws OF your country quietly but firmly" No soon
er had the intelligence of a call upon the United
States military. become known than number of
young men constantly increasing as they went along
got possession of a six-pounder brass swivel and
hitching long cord to il, dragged it along Penn
sylvania avenue aud up Seventh street. with the OBJ
Jec, as avowed by their adherents, of resisting the
Marines. On arriving near the polling place or the
first precinct of the Fourth Ward, the Marines, with
whom had gone from the City Hall the Mayor the
Corporation Attorney, Marshal Hoover, ex-6Iarsha
Wa ZACH, Capt BaggOtt, aud several policemen and
members of the Auxiliary GauEd, foDnd the swivel
party on the ground with their piece posted on the
sidewalk under the shed of the Northern Liberties
Market.
The marines were then drawn up in the street in:
front of the polls, but the insults and daring unIy
continued. They then marched on the Sidewalk
but strange to say, the prevailing impression vas
that they would not dare TO hre They taen pro-
ceeded to the sidewalks Immediately in front of the
Seventh street end ofthe market.
There a halt was ordered During the showers of
rain the rioters had taken shelter in the market
house. They then loaded their cannon and made
preparations for general resista ice. The venerable
Gen. Henderson remonstra ted with them and whst
dong SO an individual, recognized as Plug Ugly
was seen by marine aiming pistol at his breast.
The soldier stabbed his commanders assaiant with
out doing him serious injury. The cannon was
loaded aud pointed. : .4 -rs
The Mayor walked up to the closet window of the
PoHlng place and gave the order TO open the polls
(Which had been suddenly closed, as we presume
when the marines appeared) and resumed voting to
which the only reply received was from persons out
See VINO declared using much personal abuse, that
the polls should not be opened. The NJ yor then
TOOK commanding position and proceeded to adj
dress the crowd, amounting to about twelve or if
teen hundred persons in state of msddened excite
ment The substance of the Mayors remarks was
that OF admoaition 10 good order and quetness aud
resumption of voting, calling upon those present as
good citizens to restrain themselves within prouer
limits In answer TO complaints, that the marines
were brought, the Mayor assured The assemblape
that they were brought for NO hostile purpose b6t
to protect citizens in the exercise rights and cleo
tive privileges Instead of quelIing the passion and
tamult OF the crowd, the Mayors presence and re-
MARKS seemed TO have the effect only transportation
which was exhibited in every form of meuacing3
short of actual personal assault
The party on the opposite side of the street and
about seventy or eighty yards above, were at this
I nil finr Hri,