The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-07
The Irresponsibiiity ofthe New York
Mob.


controversy that may be turned to party
account, with the least candor or regard
for the public veal, are striving to make
ont of the late terrible riot in New York
city, the largest amount possible Of politi-
cal capital. These violent organs of OPP
posing parties charge the whole cause and
responsibility of the riot upon their respec-
tive opponents, and instead of manifesting
desire to calm the public mind, to pre-
serve the public peace, and to maintain
law and order, they seem intent only up
on exciting party hate to crafty party
vengeance.
As regards the New York riot, which
almost reaches the magnitude of a formi-
dable rebellion, it is evident that men of
both political parties, which divide. the
people of the North must share the imme-
date responsibility. The extreme Repub-
licans have all along denounced the most
loyal men of the opposite party, who hap
ical questions, as little if any better than
rebels, and have on all occasions mani"
tested most contemptuOus disregard for
the sanctions of the Constitution, the main
tenance of the Union, the obligation of
law, the rights of citizens, the lives of SOL
diers or the public good, whenever it
seemed expedient to sacrifice one or all of
these. in order to enforce their political
dogmas, or to insure the continuance of
their party supremacy. They have thus
set the example of violence and disloyalty.
As one extreme always produces an
other, class of violent and INSCRIPTIONS
men of the Democratic party, who aspire
to public leadership, and whose political
hostility to the Abolitionists repealed them
into close sympathy with the armed enc
mics of the government-the WooDs OF
New York for example-have seized upon
the opportunities afforded by their oppo-
nents to excite the worst passions of the
populace, to prepare them for open resist
ance and bloodshed. In New York, like
Paris and London, there never is time
when there is not smOuldering beneath
the calm surface combustible materials
of rapine and murder, which need only
the application of fire brands, opportunity
and impunity to produce devouring and
destructive flame.
Upon this combustible element Of that
populous city, there has been accumulat-
ing during the past two years vast
amount of explosive political material, and
the only wonder is, when the match was
at last applied, that the destruction of life
was not greater and the havoc more ter
rible.
The facts disclosed justify the opinion
that little precaution would have pre-
vented the riot; that small force, a single
regiment of trusty soldiers, promptly
directed against the first outbreak, with
bullets and bayonets, would have quelled
the riot with comparatively small loss OF
life; would have preserved the peace of the
city and would have avoided the necessity
suspending the draft.
Why was not such force or a much
larger force provided in time? The dan
ger was immenent, such precaution was
unquestsonably essential to the preserva-
ton of the public peace and the maintain
ance of the law whenever the draft should
commence. To suppose that the admins
tration at Washington, did not compre-
bend this dangre in all it's appalling mag
nitude, is to assume that the President
and his cabinet are the most incapable,
ignorant and stupid people, ever entrusted
with power. -.
The neglect of the general Administra-
ton to take the necessary precautions to
maintain law and order, pending the draft
in New York, will, unless satisfactorily
explained, fasten the responsibility Of the
successful outrages of the mob in that
city, upon the President and bis cabinet
It is in evidence that he or his Secretary
Of War, (and Secretary Stanton may be
the responsible party,) not only did moi
provide force to put down riot, pending
the drafting proceedings, but also did moi
I timely advise the authorities of the State
aud city of New York, Of the day wher
the draft would commence, but actually
sprung surprise upon them, when they
were in the most defenceless situation
and really at the mercy of any mob thai
might have the audacity to defy their au.
thority; nearly the whole military force o
the city having gone to the defence Of
Pennsylvania one of the most influential
and violent Administration organs o
which State, has actually alleged tina
Governor SEYMOUR stripped New York o
its troops, in order to expose that city t,
tie vengeance of the mob. If this wer
go. which 40 one can seriously believe