Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-01

An open air Meeting BrOlkeu up
Shocking Conduct Of the ScOners-An
EHhOrter Assaulted and Cruelty Bea-
ten-DisgracefHI Scenes.
From the Chicago Times. August %
The Young Mems Christian Association
has adopted, among other well-intended
methods Of doing good, the practice of hold
ing open-air meetings, for the purpose of
capturing sinners Of a slang phrase is excu-
sable in the connecticut ION the wing"
Good, pious young men, who do not object
to wear the cross and preach the Word Of
Life upon the highways among unbeliev-
ers, revilers and scoifers, are sent out in
every direction, and on nearly every eve
ming a number Of vacant lots in different
parts Of the city
1t had been arragned that one of these
public meetings should be held last eve
ming, on West Randolph street, on the hay
market, near the corner Of Union street.
At about o'clock it was proposed to
open the service with prayer. 1t is certain
that praying at that place. and in that
crowd, was what might be called uphill
business. No sooner had the Christian
shut his eyes, and prepared to call upon
the Most High for assistance in the good
work, than a German bachanalian song,
completely drowning the voice Of the
man who was attempting to make the
opening appeal. The "amen" of that
prayer was never reached, in fact, the
beginning was hardly made, for the
crowd seemed to act in concert, and, when
the leader saw the lips ofthe man ofprayer
moved he gave the signal, and the howl
which followed would be a creditable adj
-, L. - h., IL
Crook. 1t was deafening and mauifestlv
frightening to rome Of the timid souls who
had not as much physical courage as they
had moral advice. These trembled like so
many chilled puppies, and it seemed to be
their first aim to secure an eligible avenue
Of escape in case of emergency. The con-
duct of the large crowd, after the first out
break, was shamefully disreputabe The
speakers were not permitted to speak a
single word Of explanation without being
interrupted
=" Ny friends" said one man, / want to
talk to you about your souls. want TO
tell you about Jesus"
81 Go to h-ll with your Jesus" was the
infamous response, and at this awful
sacrilege the crowd yelled a delightful APP
proval.
This speaker, whose name was not
learned, was more persistent in his attempt
than the others, and spoke a few moments
in defiance of Kisses, the jeerB and the
shouts Of disapproval. When surrounded
by the mob, he moved TO another spot, and
in this manner endeavored to reason with
the rabble, but to no purpose. The crowd
increased, and the excitement became more
general. The most shocking profanity was
used, and a serious riot was imminent.
Still, the person already mentioned per-
sisted in being heard, and moved from one
locality 10 another, always followed by the
same threatening gang of rufians. He
finally concluded that he was attempting
10 reason with madmen, and was about
taking his leave. Az this juncture yells,
groans and every manifestation of con-
tempt were freely used and the mans life
was actually in danger The crowd iostled
against him, knocked Off his hat, tore his
clothing, and otherwise maltreated and
abused him. IL was at this time that Sc
rious trouble was imminent. The mob
spirit-that demoniac influence that steals
sway Judgment sense and reason-was,
like a devastating element, spreading in
the rapidly-augmenting crowd, and, had il
not been for the timely arrival and prompt
and energetic action Of the police, blood
shed and death would, there can be no
doubt, have ensued The riot finally cul.
minated in a somewhat unexpected man
ner. A ruffian named Herman Kearl, who
had taken a prominent part in the dis
graceful proceedings, rushed up to the re-
treating and inotfending man who had
spoken, and struck him two blows in the
face with his clenched fist No sooner had
he done this than he was seized by Capt.
Kennedy and Sergt. Clarity, and, with the
assistance Of the posse of patrolmen, he
was rapidly conducted TO the Union street
station. This diverted the attention of the
crowd, and the persons who had been at
tackled escaped without further injury.
After Kearl, who is shoemaker, had been
locked up, and the offensive speaker had
departed, the crowd of rioters dispersed,
and quiet was restored.