The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-07-20

Tho N. Y. Tribune has this to sa
of tho action of tho authorities i
regard to the late riot. No doub
Gov. Hoffman sought every possibl
way to avoid offending his friend
and supporters, the mobiles, bu
was forced by the enormity of
contrary position to finally, at tn
last moment take tho right side:
"The absence of principle and tn,
open shamelessness which are tn,
characteristics of our city govern
ment for once served a good purpose
If we could now DO astonished a
any act of the directory which
governs us, tho news OF this morn
ing would fill the community will
amusement. The Kelso circular i.
withdrawn, and the Governor offer.
to use the entire power of the State
to preserve tho peace in case it j.
threatened by the riotous opponent.
of the Orangemel. This is a dos
perate though tardy effort on tho
part Of Gov. Hoffman to save the
Democratic party of the State, whose
position has now assumed q national
Importance, from the consequence OF
the enormous blunder which sprano
from the ignorance and recklessness
of the City Hall Directory. Az
there is positive comfort in feel
ing of confidence toward the head oil
tho State, wo wish we could asclibc
this action TO the Governors sense OF
right and of civil duty. But it is
only too evident that it was forced
upon him and the party be repre-
sents by the unexpected vehemence
of the popular protest against tho
wretchcd trucking of the city au-
thorities. Not only in the public
press, which, with the sole exception
of the hired tool of Tammany, do
nounced the surrender to the mob in
dignifed and fitting language, but
also on tho streets and in all places
of public resort, there was but one
voice of detestation of the craven
betrayal of the very principle OF
government.by the gang Of unprin-
cipled spoilsmen by whom we are
misruled. 1t was rarely you could
find any one SO lost to all sense of
manliness or national selfrespect os
TO speak in approval Of the Kelso
circular. By a singular freak of
poetic justice even the rufians in
whose behalf the order was issued,
expressed no gratitude for it. They
growled at Mr.. Hall for spelling
their days fun. But all decent
citizens felt that the fair name
of the city had been stained
by the bungling hands of that
coarse cabal, which is so reck-
less toward the law and SO cowardly
toward the mob. Later in the day,
every check which had retained its
capacity to blush was Redeemed with
shame when the proclamation of the
Democratic Governor of New Jersey
appeared, in which he not only warns
the evil doors of his own State of the
sure punishment which will follow
any attempt at the fulfillment oil
their riotous designs, but also takes
occasion to inform our own rowdies
of the reception which will avail,
them, ii, the expected leisure of to
day should tempt them over ths
water. From tho universal applause
bestowed on that sensible and spirit
ed paper, our own rulers may havt
gained some idea of the depth of pub
lie contempt into which they have
fallen by their own subservience t.
the mob. 20 rrtr..
The proclamation of the Governor
was the only way out of the untena
Bile position the Democratic organiza
ton Of the city had assumed. Hi
action comes too late to save tn,
party from that popular condemna
ton which always follows such Grim
inal blunders. It is scarcely possibl,
that the Orangemen, who had nc
copied the situation of force created
by the circular of Superintendent
Kelso, can now so far modify theil
arrangements as to go on with theil
interrupted celebration. The very
change Of front, executed 80 sudden
ly in the face of critical circumstan
ces, is sufficiently clear evidence O
q confusion of counse.s, which is fata
to the discipline and success of 9
political party"