Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-07-28
The Abolition of Street Parades.

One OF the effects Of the New York riot on the
18th inst, is the discussion Of the necessity Of
abolishing all street parades in large cities in
the future. The Toledo Blade meets this is
sue go forcibly that we give its remarks in
full below
ga little reflection will be sufficient t" show
that the proposed abolition Of SIT eet parades is
impracticable, and the attempt to lodge so large
discretion with the partisan police authori-
ties Of New York, or other large city, with a
view to say. who shall and who shall not parade
is preogative which the State will never con
fer upon the police. Tie police are paid not tn
compel peaceable citizens TO forgo privileges,
but to compel turbulent men 10 keep out Of the
way Of better men. The people Of free country,
especially those who know how to behave them
selves, are very impatient Of any limitation to
their privileges. Public professions, by the
various parties and societies organized to pro-
mote particular objects, is one way Of creating
and Influencing public opinion. This is espec-
tally the case in regard to political societies
This method Of reaching the public eye will not
be given up wi huut a struggle. One paper
suggests that these societies may find scope
enough for public aud social displays in gatner
ing in the groves and parks outlying the city
But society must start from somewhere in the
/ city. and lift go in body procession is the
most orderly and convenien! way in which it
can proceed IN its destination. To give up the
privilege # passing through the streets in a
body, would be to forgn their privilege and
right peaceably to assemble together.
"The plea that trade Uninterrupted byiproces-
sons is only true where tumult uccurs-other-
| wise they stimulate trade in certain quarters. A
good deal of money is put in circulation on ey-
erv such occasion. 1t may not be wisely spent,
it may not visibly attest the currents of trade in
the great city of New York, but they cannot be
conlucted without causing a great outly of
money, directly and indirectly. The riot on the
| 18th was caused by the tyrancal dispositions
and bad temper of men little disposed to submit
to government. These, it is the Office OF the po-
! lice system to restrain. Let the disturbers be
punished and let American citizens have all the
privileges inthe future thsS hsse spjoSei. ip
the past ~ap a.
athet this Concession be made to the turbulent
element, and the next step will be to prevent
| free discussion altogether. public meeting
| to promote a Protestant cause, or to express
hostility to Popery, would be more bitterly OPP
posed than a mere procession, If the feeling of
intolerance were once aroused. 1t is best to
avoid all attempts, or seeming attempts to limit
| the freedom and privileges Of the people. Let
| goo6 sense rule among the people, aud the firm
administration of the law, give assurance that
! all peaceable assemblages of the people. what
ever form they may take, shall be protected
| from assault and Ou TRACE. If one honest man
! has right to walk the street, two may walk to-
gether. Six men have the same privilege. The
| principle is not changed if hundred or a
thousand agree together IN moving to a common
point for a common object. So long as they
break no law and propose no invasion of other
mems rights, their right to do 80 is unquestioned
man entitled to protection ON the streets
while harniug nobody else thousand men
have the same right intens fed a thousand fold.
Let us have no attempts to increase the med.
dlesome interference Of the police in private
affairs, and we hope the day may never come,
in any of our cities when respectable society
or company of men shall have To ask the Mayor
Of any city for leave 90 walk its streets"