The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-07-20
The New York Riot.

The exciting topic OF the day IS the 1rlSI
riots in New York. The excitement 10
Philadelphia yesterday. resulting thereirom,
especially in the Leghborhood of the news
paper Offices, has not been equaled since the
battle bulletins of the Rebellion attracted
crowds Of citizens to the same general source
of intelligence. It was to he observed, how
ever, that the crowds, wherever gathered
together, were orderly and quiet. They
awaited the unfolding Of events with pro-
found, earnest interest, but whatever their
feelings may have beeD they were expressed
in no noisy, offensive demonstration.
AS the day wore on and the news of riot
and shooting were spread about. the groups
of thes morning grew larger and the interest
deepened. The occasion was grave one,
even. in Philadelphia, for underlying the
crude detail of the reports was the principle
that again, by the action of few strong
headed and wrong headed Orapgemep and
the murderous intentions of some other few
Ribbonmen, the principles of government
of the people. for the people. by the people.
was again undergoing trial. Partisans Of
one body or the other may have perused the
dispatches with a view of learning how the
fight was being carried on for the particular
side they cspoused, but such partisans were
limited ia number, and ths real interest was
shown by the vast mass of the community,
who waited to learn whether or not here, in
free America, a mob. no more respectable
than that called in Paris, the Commune,
could override the constituted authorities of
the State. New York, through its chief eX-
ecutive officer, Governor Hoffman, had de-
clared that the whole power of the Common
| wealth should be put into action to protect
the Orangemen in their undoubted right OF
walking through the streets in a body. The
opponents of the OraDgemon had similarly
declared that no such parade should take
place. Both parties were determined, and
the exciting conflict that occurred. and
which resulted in serious loss of life, was in
evitable.
The questions filing the minds Of all pa
triotic citizens were, ''Is the law or the mob
to rule2 Is our boasted civil and religious
liberty real or not 2" When Governor Heff-
man, with admirable Intelligence and genu-
inc moral heroism, decided that the Orange
men should be protected in their public dis
play. he practically answered both questions
and in the manner they should be answered.
While every citizen must feel that the pro-
cession of Orangemen, in view Of the relg-
ious animosities it would engender. was alb
solutey without excuse, he must also feel
that it was the duty Of the government to
exert its whole strength to insure them in a
right they could justly claim. The govern
meHt OF this country is only government
SO long as the people will it to be so; law
and order are but words, intagible as bub-
bles, unless the people g We them meaning
aud effect. A mob that openly and defiant
~ rassd its hand against the government.
against law and order, had to be trampled
under foot or the government and law and
order were things of the past. The New
York riot had exactly that significance, and
! on that account the whole country yesterday
/ awaited the issues with absorbing interest.
About three O'Clock P. II. less than two
| hundred Orsngemen, preceded by band of
music. carrying a national and society
flag, started from their headquarters along
Twenty ninth street. As was threatened,
| they were attacked, and similarly they were
| protected in their uuwissly exercised right
| by the police and military. Tho mob was
repulsed, and though at other points the
| Orangemen were again and again furiou,ly
assaulted. they did, under the broad sanction
of the authority of the common wealth. carry
out their intention of parading through the
streets Of New York.
The rights they demanded were given
| them, and the protection they claimed in
the pursuit of their inclinatfons was extend
ed them. Had it been otherwise, had the
authorities been compelled to yield to the
LnT9aLS Ol the OullaWeO ulOO, the UltRTdC6 OF
such surrender Of ths government to such
intimidation would have been national
wrong and dishonor.
To stir up religious animosities. to trans-
fer from Ireland to this soil, and to keep
alive here the ancient quarrels which at
home divided and weakened themselves as
people. and strengthened the hands of
their enemies. is conduct that is without
reason or excuse. The doors of our great
refuge of freedom and equal rights is open
to the people of all nations. Our land is
broad enough and long enough for them all.
But We have a right to expect that when
they accept our hospitality they will DO
nothing to outrage it; that they will honor
our laws. ard that. above all, they will IN
derstand that the cornerstone of the edifce
is tolerance and the fullest liberty In all
matters of creed. Orsngsmen or Ribbon
meu, they are alike welcome, but they
should leave behind them that bigotry and
intolerance out of which grow such scores as
Yesterday disgraced New York city.-Phila.
Inquirer.
S-N-c nv 7 L