Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-22
a Few words about Mobs and their


Few words a bout Mobs and their
Treatnent.
The Cincinnati Press says that the circum-
stances of the recent ARRAYS at Baltimore and
St. Louis suggest some reflections as to the
manner in which mObs should be treatesi.
It makes but little difference whether the mob
rises to attack the authority, OF the authority Is
called out to quell the mob in either case, it Is
the duty of the authority to proceed Immediately
L, suppress the unlawful demonstrations, and
not TO cease its efforts until that end is accom-
pfshed.
Soldiers with arms in their hands, when at
tackled BY mObs. should ight-not run. It is
for the tune being, war I; and, just "a in any
other war, the object should be to conqner the
enemy as rapidly and as effectually as possible.
In such cases, forbearance is cruelty. Napo-
leon Bonaparte knew better than any other man
of his day how to quell mob His surgery
was sharp, but il was short and efectual. The
mob spirit grows rapidly by impunity there
should, therefore, be no compromising with for
chile lawlessness. -
The forbearance with which mobs have been
treated in this country render them subjects Of
curiosity Men, women and children rush to the
scene to gaze upon the demonstrations and the
consequence is that, if any fighting ensues, the
innocent bystanders, they called, come in
for their full share Of the loss and newspapers
and people who sympathize with the mob per
Torrance, clamor loudly over these accidents. as
if they were the effects of premeditated muir
'derous design on the part of the authorities
thereby laying the foundation for further dis
orders.
A different practice would have rendered mob
a thing to be summed by all who had no duty to
perform for its suppression. The rule for all such
is to put themselves out Of the way of harm as
soon as possible rule which, il they neglect
they have no right to complain, however severe
the treatment they encounter. I spectator is a
fool if mpelled by curiosity he rushes into danger
on battle field; and he is no less so if he does a
similar thing at scene Of civic violence
For a body of soldiers to stand and permit
themselves to be stoned by a mob is shameful
The first act should be promptly retaliated There
is no other way than to assume that all who are
mingled with the mob belong to it. To kill the
first man who offends may be the means of saving
the lives of hundreds. There is no more effect
i've moral agent than sudden and unexpected
blow. Mobs are cowardly. Their members dc
not go to the field to be killed, but to do all they
can without encountering fatal danger. Convince
them that the danger begins with the first unlaw
ful act, and they will rapidly take on that better
part Of valor-dscretion.
The officers Of soldiers beset by mobs, should
consider promptly, and act with decision. They
should not throw the responsibility upon the
troops, but take it themselves. We fail to adj
mire the prudence of the Yankee Captain al
Baltimore, who usei the double negative peri
phrasis 'sI}oys, I don't ,ay don't fire." On,
simple word of command MS all that the occa
sion demanded The world accepts the act o
the officer as regular favor which it is reluc
tant 10 accord to that Of the subordinate.
Il may be expected that troops of foreign
German or Irisls-will behave with les discretion
when attacked by mobs than those of American
birth In such cases vOlleys Of insulting languag,
having reference to their origin, usually precel,
the more forcible demonstrations. These ar,
calculated to excite anger and apprehension
both Of which are inimical to that GOODNESS which
is peculiarly desirable in such cases They should
therefore, not be judged by the same rule that
applied to Others. Nothing IS more unfair thai
to assume that because ihey a. { OF foreign birth
hey are moro reckless of the lives OF the native
born In these times the loyalty which we oh
serve everywhere in this class Of our population
above all praise, and every attempt to excite pre-
JUDGE against them by reflections upon their orr
gin should meet with prompt encouragement.