The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-24
A WORD OF CAUTION.

A WORD OF CAUTION.
In the present abnormal condition of
affairs in our city, caused by the transit
ton from military to civil government,
it becomes our people to practice the
greatest caution and circumspection in
their conduct, actions and language.
Bitter and violent language used in the
public streets, no matter by whom OF
what class of people, is apt to produce a
riotous and contentious spirit, which
might atany moment cause tumult and
bloodshed. At present the city is left
almost to take care of itself. The police
force Is very small, and the military au-
thorities do not pretend to interfere with
persons in civil life, consequently weare
almost without government. AS is
usually the case, on the approach of an
interesting election contest, the spirit of
party, or faction rather--for nothing like
party has as yet made its appearance, as
there is no principle involvedin the con-
test--is apt to rage with great fierceness,
and and warm language, ip-advised appeals
to the portionof the commu-
nifty, and indictments to disorderly con-
duct are frequently resorted to by parti-
sans, who, in their calmer moments,
wouldregretthatt they had permitted their
zeal for the election of a. particular set of
men to so far forgetthe betterof theirjudg-
ment as to lead them tocountenance a
violation of law, and adisturbance of good
order. 1t is very easy matter to stir
mn mp 10 commit disorderly acts, and
to cause rows and riots, word untimely
spoken may sometimes be sufficient;
but to quell the tumult is the difficulty.
He is bad man, and not fit to be the
counsellor of a free people, who would,
ut the present time, by word or act ex-
cite or array one portion of the commu-
pity against the other. If the spirit of
faction did not make its devotees deaf to
reason and blind to the course of events,
they would perceive that all parties are
engaged in doing what they consider for
the best interests of the city, and
they would meet each other on the
broad grounds of patriotism, concilia-
ton and good-fellowship, differing only
as to the choice of the men whom they
think VIII make the best officers and
reflect most credit upon the city. We
deprecate anything like street broils or
dioful r ho oyI frtYc las al~.
People have too much good sense, and
have the fair fame of their city too much
at heart, to permit themselves to be
made the tools of wicked and unthink-
ing men, whose only desire is to SOW
the seeds of discord and distrust among
them, and inaugurate rnle Of anarchy
and disorder. Let all good citizens, then,
abstain from encouraging any excite
ment on the streets, whether by night
or day, and prevent rencounters be-
tween parties of opposite opinions. We
must preserve the city from any attempt
ct riot or disorder, no matter at what
cost, and we know that the peacefully
disposed citizens will not submit to any
thinglike mob-violence or misruie, come
from whatever quarter it may. But
the reputation of the city demands that
due caution be exercised, and that a
spirit of good feeling, which is the best
preventive to civil troubles, should pre-
vail. elimination and recrimination
must cease:r We are all American citi-
gems now, and patriotism devolves upon
US the duty of conducting ourselves In
such o manner as to bring no discredit
upon that high title. We trust that we
shall hear no more apprehensions ex-
pressed, and that we shall see no more
cause for such fears as thatour streets are
momentarily in danger of being made
the scene of disorderly brawls. Riotous
and melting language must not be in
dulged in. Those who are engaged in
creating distrust and in stirring up the
worst passions of the masses, should de-
sist from such course at once, and en-
deavor by their actions to show good
example to the rest of the community.