Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-07-24
The Great New York Riot.

The New York papers are filled with detail
ed accounts OF the fearful riot in that city
which commenced Monday 18th inst. and con
tinued to rage the greater part Of the week.
1t was one of the mos, terrible exhibitions q
mob violence ever witnessed in this country
and The outrnges committed were horrible il
the extrem. We have neither room nor dis
position to give the sickenng details, but il
order to show the spirit Of the mob give few
/ orief extracts:
| (From ths New York Commercial Advertise July IA
| THE RIOT.
The origin aud progress of the shameful riot
which broke out in This city yesterday, was
given in our columns of the same date, and
to-day the history is continued. The mere
particulars are of absorbing interest. snd for
the time Ovcrshadowing all other topics OF
thought The unknown and uncertain terrors
of the mob the exciting reports which spread
all over the city; the reflection that New York
was for once deprived Of organized means OF
defense the incessaHt toll of the bells, signal
ing in the afternoon The fires which rolled up
their dense columns of smoke, and in he eve
ming called attention to the Northern sky red
and lurid with conhagration, over which mad
men and inluriate women presided; the story
Of defeated and bafled soldiers and police; the
business streets with stores and offices all clos
ed the side walks, ordinarily thronged now
almost deserted; he city cars no longer run
ming, private and public carriages sient-al
these combined to give u pervadng air of
the deepest gloom and anxiety to the whole
city. No one knew where the blow might
next fall. None felt that there was power in
the authorities to check or repress the fearful
spirit which had so quickly sprung up, and all
wondered to what further excesses the shame
less crowd might lead.
The riot began with an attempt to put all
end to the draft 1t had a certain definite or
ganzation and purpose, and quiet. self assert
ed, or recognised leadership. II was, from the
outset, determined, bold and cruel. 1t respect
ed no right of private property, scerned the
weak resistance offered to it, and OveTrode all
that opposed. Reinforced shortly by boys and
women. gathering te itself great masses of ex-
cited people, it soon enlarged the sphere of its
operations, and began to give vent to political
and class prejudices. IAe rich and well-dress-
ed came in sor share of its attention Fine
houses were sacked, pundered and burned
Costly furniture was destroyed for mere pleas
ure of mischieg. Stores were broken open and
their contents were distributed among the mob,
to which have focked thieves rognes and knaves
Of every degree, 1t is evident that men bent
upon rapine were in the mob from the first
Officers and citizens were knocked down and |
robbed. Spoils were taken away, and at times |
thousands together were in possession OF prop
erty which had been stolen. Taking polite
al turn, the inhunanity of the mob became
most apparent. Colored people were every
where hunted ifthey wild beasts. Old
men, women, little boys, were set upon by
grown up rioters, and shanefulls abused
Life was taken in some instances. The crown
ing act of violence was however, the destruction ,
Of the Colored Orphan Asylum OF Fifth avenue. I
This home of six or seven hundred orphan child
rem was totally destroyed, after being pjItaged |
in every part. Whatever of manIiness the |
separate members OF this mob might have had,
all had gone out before the fell and vengeful
spirit which the organization took on. The |
city disgraced. For hours it lay helpless |
beneath the awful rule of its most dangerous
classes, aud when night came with its gloom |
aud darkness, lighted by the dull glare of burn
ing buildings. all looked forward with tremb-
iGg and foreboding 10 the events OF The zfext
few hours,