Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-09-07
The Recent Riot on Staten Island.

| Both in our telcgraphic and other columns, we
have published accounts Of the burning Of the
Quarantine buildings New York; but ~ yet,
have given satisfactory clue to these lawcs'
proceedings The sutjoined extract is from an
editorial which appeared in tho New York Tribune
of the Sd inst, and is explanatory of the matter:
II il, We believe, held Ms sound legal doctrine
that whore any establishment, hitherto isolated,
hns become closely surrounded by the exigencics
Of growing population to which it is dangerous
nuisance, that it shall be removed. 1t will do to
say thnt the population should not have come t.
it; that has grown and expanded by laws which
are not to be controlled, and tho offensive estab
llishmcnt, whatever it may be, must yield and fen
before it. Everybody, we think, must ncknow-
ledge the rcasonablencss and Justice Of this posi-
ton. Such nuisance il is maintained, WAS the
Quarantine Establishment upon Staten Island
Originally in IN isolated position, the growth 81!
this great city has pressed its people in every di-
reetion. and in none more naturally and inesita-
bly, than across its beautiful bay, thoughtess of
danger, thinking that when population aud
Frequency of intercourse with the vicinnge
should make its removal desirable that removal
would certainly be- That time ut lengl,, came.
For years the subject was agitatcd till finally the
assembled wisdom Of tho State at Albany dcri led
that such an institution was dangerous in its proy
unity to the people, and must be taken elsewhere
y.
indicted by Grand jury. Here then. were pro-
vided NIL the requisites to removal the nc
acknowledgement that its propinquity was dangerous
was universal; the popular fear of it. and the pop
lular desire to be rid Of it were overwhelmingly
strong; the Government of the State had dccreed
its removal and provided the means; and the
Grand jury had found n true bill against it as
pernicious to the community; and all this NJ
least two years ago. Yet there it stood, its typi-
cal yellow flag Tapping NJ dcianty in the pleas
ant breczes Of the bay rs ever
Now why was this? How could m act which
the law had decreed and which the strongest feel
ing in the human breast, the instinct Of selfpr
servation, had demanded and claimed for, be eva
ded! On this point there is not, that known
of any evidence that would be deemed conclusv,
in court Of Jurtice, but there is q moral proc
which is sometimes stronger than that acknowl
edged by Judges. When the Quarantine bill wa
before.th Legislature, at Albany, it was met b.,
the strongest adverse influence from the New Yorl
merchants But in own State their effort
were unsuccessful, our legislators wisely dcemin!
that men were Of moro worth than merchandise
that the public health was more worthy Of protec
ton than the shipping interest. The same inhu
encc followed the Commissioners to New Jersey
aud prevented-we are telling an open secret
the purchase of Sandy Hook. Thus the Slater
Islanders saw themselves condemned year afte
year to the dangerous proximity of an unwhole
some Lazaretto 1t is no wonder that on sucl
fruitful ground the seeds of excitement and panic
| when once sown. should fructify and grow witt
marvellous rapidity. Legislatures aud Grand Ju
ries they felt to be poweress against the gold o
: greedy and interruptions trademen. and when thu
officer, whose duty it was to protect the communi
ty against pestileuce let out into political meet
ing men who, as they believed, were reeking will
: the virus OF smallpox or yellow fever, apd wheI
the latter disease presently broke out in scvera
= localities. and was creeping from infected ships
too released. into bat city, the tevered PEG
pie were incapable Of longer patience and felt tina
If the law for the removal of the Quarantine were
ever to be obeyed,it must be by their taking it into
their own hands and insuring it's ful6llment -
They warned the officials on Wednesday evening
several hours before they commenced the work o
demolition of their intentions and when the tim,
came carried them out whether violently or gentl,
: perhaps is not easily told now.
The suggestion Of the Louisville Journal with
reference to the reorganization of the Wing party
has met with ar affirmative response from diferen
parts of the country, and is approved of and advo
: Gated. we believed. by every opposition paper il
Virginia. The St. Louis News thinks that tn
national and conservative oppostiOn to the presen