Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-06-12
TERsrs OF ADVERTISING.
square OF 10 limos or Iess---eaah In aavane
The Municipal Elections of Monday.

For the last two three years the municipal eec-
lons In our city have been marked by acts of out
rage and violence that broke down all the power and
protection OF law, and left the mob triumphant
The peace, honor, safety, and rights of our commu-
nlty.1 We had hoped that those Who had been under
the influence OF this popular deusion and organized
crime had taken counsel of the duty of good Citizens
and the mandates of law, and would expiae the
past by obeying the laws for the future But it was
reserved for the disgraceful scenes of Monday to
outstrlP the infamy of the past by the largest la
tude OF crime TO which violence and desperation
could be urged by a blood thirsty mob.
Inc know nothing party of Washington, still true
to their organization nursed in darkness and silence
their purposes of triumph and revenge. Unable and
unwilling to rely upon their own local resources
here, they coured the sympathy and the aid of their
compeers in our sister city and brought out. a de-
tachment OF demons from the dark dens that curse
Baltimore as prolific nussury of ncarnate mobs-
Our own know nothing rioters lacking the strength
or the erocy to lead fororn hope let loose their
lmported'pack upon The peaceful ranks of citi-
zens to spread carnage and death. They beat, maim-
ed' and drove off the officers of police they took
possession of the polls closed some and regulated
lhe vote OF Others They derded the peace efforts of
the mayor and his most worthy counselors, and bade
dehance 10 all remonstanee. They crowned their
madness by bringing 10 the polls cannon and plant
ed its range for the most deadly effect The mayor,
hnding the mob in triumphant possession, appealed
10 the President for aid to sustain the supremacy of
law, and to suppress the bloody excuses of the mob
He acted promptly and considerably. Through the
command OF the Secretary of the Navy, deaeh-
ment OF marines was ordered TO the scene of action,
to use coercion, as the last alternative if the exgen-
cies of the moment should require it, and under the
direction of the mayor Of the city
The mayor marched the marines to proper posi-.
ton, and appealed to the mob to disperse the riot
act was read, and they were warned of their peril.
They secuted ii, and took an attitude of defiance
They essayed to fire their pieces of ordinance and
failed !; then they commenced firing their revolvers
at the marines, and wounded several, when the or
der was given to " fire. 1t was obeyea, and the
mob fed ~ 49,. -.'.-.....
Without ths timely inerposiion of the military
aid, when the whole police power OF the city
unavaling, and when the phrensy of the rabble was
gaining intensity, there Is no knowing to what ex-
tent of murder and brutality those desperadoes might
have gone in the pursuit of blood and rapine
Whenever there is an issue made between law and
order and the mob, the path Of duty is clear. 1t is
to sustain that authority that gives efficiency to gov
eminent, and protects every right that belongs the
citizen under the ass of law. Civilization and sound
morals, the peace and prosperity of society," must
live surrounded by safeguards and above the triumph
of popular tumult and awIess defiance, or else they
will sink into anarchy, and finally into barbarism.
--.- WASHINGTON Union,