Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-07-18
THE GREAT RIOT.
Comments of the Newspap

We must not forget the grand lesson OF
this troublous day The triumph is one
which only those can claim who hold
American freedom dear to their hearts.
Governor Hoffman's proclamation was
only the voice of the people in official
form. II accorded nothing to the
Orangemen which the people would not
accord to all men. 1t was putting the
seal of the State to the utterances which
the people had already made through
the press, and proclaiming anew that
freedom of opinion, speech and action
must not be abridged The triumph is
the peoples triumph, and to them
belongs the glory of the mob suppressed,
the arrogant hnmbled, and the law vim
dicated. America cares not for the
feuds and animosities which divide other
countries, but she does care for her own
dignity and the due recognition of that
grandeur of liberty which she proclaims.
America pretends not to be only for the
Americans, but she insists that all shall
be free alike that all shall be bound by
her laws, and that her flag shall be over
all. 1t is the Star Spangled Banner
which offers freedom to the world and
proclaims peace and good will among
men. Its folds are for the protection of
all men of every party and every creed.
AS it was lifted up when Sumter fell,
telling the world that American unity
was more than a name-as it was lifted
up yesterday, telling to the people of
Europe that here they may even nurse
their own narrowness and bigotries to
their bosoms-so it must always be borne
aloft in the hearts and on the shoulders
of the young men Of che New World.
From the World.l ltI tfAN
While we would not have advised the
suppression of the parade as an original
proposition, we surely would not have
abandoned it after it had been once
adopted and proclaimed. If it had
been adhered to, it would at least have
had the merit of success. Had there
been no procession there would have
been no riot; and we know no good
reason why the caprice Of two hundred
bigoted 0rangemeu should subject the
city to the expense of calling out ten
thousand militia to put down a mob
which would not have gathered without
their provocation. The parade was in
consistent with the public peace, and its
suppression in bold defiance of popular
clamor would have had the merit Of
straightforward vigor which protects the
lives of citizens, and accepts the
responsibility and the consequences.
In our opinion, the other method
would have been preferable had it
been first adopted; and proclama-
ton two days ago permitting the
parade, and promising protection to the
Orangemen, might also have prevented
riotous demonstrations But we have no
patience with vacillation and inconsis-
tency, nor with the failure of authorities
who must act together in the last resort
with each other and reach joint under
standing in view of an approaching
crisis which involves the lives Of citizens.
The action Of the city authorities is not
defensible if they did not ascertain from
the Governor that their policy would
receive his support; and the course of
the Governor is not defensible, if, hav-
ing been in the city on Monday, he did
not ascertain what the Mayor proposed
to do in a foreseen grave emergency, and
either save him from a mistake by his
superior foresight, or give him assu-
RANGES Of resolute support in a policy
which the Governor approved. The
Governors final action is generally APP
plauded; but if that was the proper
course to pursue, he is inexcusable for
reaching SO tardy decision.
From the Tribune.
The mournful lists of yesterdays cas-
ualties are elsewhere printed; but the
chief and most culpable victims are not
there mentioned.
Put down among the killed-A. Oakley
Hall. Set down as dangerously if not
fatally wounded-John 7. Hoffman.
The deadest man in the Morgue borne
thither by the police last night, is not so
dead as the man who undertook to silence
the police and give the rioters full sway.
The worst wounded man in the hospitals
is not so badly wounded as the Governor
of New York, who has not yet proved
his ignorance on Monday of the surren-
der consummated Monday night by his
political associates and subordinates,
which he could have neutralized and did |
not
add to the list the one man promoted |
for his share in this business. His sname
is Theodore +. Randolph. And above
all, give honor to the people Of New
York, who rose for the Right as they
have not risen since Sumter.
From the SUM-
About 100 men paraded yesterday in
the Orange ranks, to vindicate the right
of citizens to assemble; and about 100
men were killed and wounded in putting
down the mob who desired to deprive
them of that right
This result shows that if the city
authorities had never yielded to the
mob there would have been no riot at
all. m tM
Mr.. Oakley Hall, Mayor of New York,
should resign at once.
His courage is not equal to his duty,
and his blunder is worse than a crime;
or rather his terrible blunder is crime,
and worst of all, crime against reli-
gious liberty.
Gov. Randolph, of New Jersey, and
Gov. Hoffman, of New York, have both
improved their respective chances of
being nominated for President by the
decided stand which they have taken in
favor of religion and conscience.
Gov. Randolph's noble proclamation
was first in point of time, but Hofman's {
though later, was not less important,
because its author has been so much
more conspicuous as a candidate.
I