Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-07-19
The .I'etc York Riot.

iuO Sapibai Sity Vi tho Shiou uh'
dcrwent the tortures of gigantic
riot on the 10Th instant, but it was
fortunate for all concerned that u
strong police and military force was
at hand, and the riot quclled on the
spot where it commenced. Had the
phrcnzy been permitted to spread
throughout the city, New York wolld
have been rendered second Paris, so
far as the destruction Of life and prop.
erty are concerned. The prompt ac'
tion Of Gov Hoffman broke up the
carnival of blood and fire. .-...
Tho riot broke out between two or
ganizations, known as Orangemen
and Hibernians, the former of which
had public parade on that day, and
is wholly attributable to bigotry and
fanatacism, and in its horrors and re-
- .-"r snonnd nnlv 10 ihnsa cnm.
mittod by the Paris Commune, al
though confucd TO much smaller
field and far shorter period. The killed
numbered about so and the wounded
nearly 200.
Whatever may be thought of the
causes which lead to the terrible scenes
which were enacted, no ono will deny
that the speedy punishment of the
rioters was fully equal to the provo.
cation given. The great American
doctrine which guarantees to all class.
cs the same rights was amply vindi-
Gated, but it is very evident to our
mind that some enactment or law is
needed to regulate professions in our
great cities. The people of the United
States will not attempt to abridgo or
restrict the rights Of foreigners, but
they should from this time forth set
their faces against the commcmora-
ton of events foreign to our own ma.
tionality, and every naturaiscd citi-
zen should cxclaim, amen!
The editor Of the Philadelphia Age,
in discoursing upon the subject, says
1t was not worth while to celebrate
the anniversary of the battle of the
Boyne at such q cost. 1t would take
u volume to rehearse the exasperating
memories that cluster round this day.
Americans do not realize them, and
we hope never will. They call up the
memories of ages Of political and re.
ligious strife to Irishmen. To them
names and phrases that seem insigniG.
cant arc fraught with fierce and bitter
memories Of wrongs inflicted aud en-.
dured. And now these old fcuds have
been wntered with new shower of
blood, and politicians are anxiously
watching for their harvest from tho
seeds of discord they have helped to
SOW. Yet every man oftrue patriot
ism knows tina. the best and wiscst
policy for our country, is for its adopt.
ed citizens of all sects and nationali.
ties, to leave behind them the exaspc-
rating strifcs fomcntcd by kings and
dynasties in their struggles for power
in the Old World. Let them take n
fresh start on the soil Of America, and
cast off their animosities as they land
on our shores But if this be impossi.
bic, let them at least refrain from san.
culinary contests in the streets OF
crowded cities. The whole power OF
u great American State has been put
forth to secure to Orangcmen the
right Of celebrating the Battle of the
Boyne. Thousands Of citizens left
their business, jonned their uniforms,
aud braved death TO secure this al.
legged right. 1t has now cost enough
oioou ana strife. Let calm reason
begin to weigh against it the right of
American society to be rid Of this dis.
turbing element of foreign hatred.
The inalienable rights asserted in the
Declaration of Independence, arc
"life, liberty, and the pursuit Of hap.
pinessp This does not, obviously,
include the right TO offer a public
provocation TO a large body OF our
fellow,men, at the risk of riot and
bloodshed. This is the question that
moralists and Christians and patri.
OTIS had better consider calmly and
rescue the subject from the confusion
10 which IL Is the interest Of rartisans
TO involve it. ''f