The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-03
THE BELFAST RIOTS.
Rows and Ructions on Lady's Day
in the City.
Terrible Sights Everywhere
Meet the Eye.
Four Days Severe Fighting in
the Streets.
MURDER, RIOT AND ROBBERY.
Stones, BlUdge0ns, Firearms
and WhislEey.
LOVELY WOMAN LENDS HER AID.
Cavalry aud Infantry Hold the Streets and
Business Suspended.
Stones, BluGgeOns, Firearms
and WhislEey.
LOVELY WOMAN LENDS HER AID.
Cavalry aud Infantry Hold the Streets and
Business Suspended.
THE WRECKED CITY.

shed, riot and destruction which have disgraced |
this town for now four days. That all parties are
60 bame and the Executive most OF all, is undena-
BILE. Thousands OF cavalry and infantry line the
principal Streets and patrols Of police stationed
ali over the town. And yet the rattle Of musketry
IL ceaseess; vehicles of all kinds are careerlng to
the general hospital; houses are falling in, some
times by fire, sometimes by cutting, and univer-
sal shudder palsies the energies of the population.
The disaster which has once more made Belfast the
disgrace OF Ireland is directly attributable to the
violent malevolence OF the lower class OF Orange
men, and indirectly to the repeal by the govern
ment OF the Party Professions act. II is lawful
for all parties to have ssions and the Twelfth
OF July was celebrated by the Orangemen In great
state and In great peace. The Catholics made no
sign whatever. On August Is they celebrated
THE RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL OF LADY DAY
by forming enormous professions, carrying flags
with historical notices, bearing portraits or Robert
Emmett, and holding meetings in favor OF home
rule. The leaders OF the Orangemen addressed
their followers on the 14th by pacard and adver.
tisement, called upon them to abstain from all
violence, referred to the peaceful demeanor of the
Catholics on the 12th and entreated for them q
quiet day In return. These addresses were wholly
disregarded, and on Friday morning Sandy row
wore its ancient appearance, and soon threatening
knots OF men formed into riotous multitude.
OPENING OF THE FIGHT.
The Catholics with equal promptitude took up a
defensive position, and before night closed couple
Of men were dead, q score were wounded and hun
dreds were drunk. On Saturday the contest was
renewed with extraordinary fury. While troops
were Fastening from every quarter, while
special trains were flying from the capital,
while beseechng kilograms were Mashed from the
local authorities the ship carpenters had pitched
their camp and calmly awaited the arrival OF the
foe These warriors have a local reputation of
hercest import In the riots OF 1864, which lasted
for no less than twenty one days, they sacked
whole streets, tore down shutters, ransacked shops
and fought with desperate fury that appalled, the
country. On this occasion the challenge
was not thrown down in vain; but hap
PLY the battle was averted. The constabu-
larry in their utmost force stood between
the angry hosts and at length, when they
themselves were beaten with bildgeons and stones,
they charged the mob with the bavonet and sue
ceeded In breaking the sort OF square which had
been not inartistically formed. They wounded
several men and received several wounds
Themselves They now hurried at rapid
pace through the principal streets OF the
notoriOusly disturbed quarters and, as re-
Inducements arrived, they were able to
keep the two parties each on their own ground.
But the failure of Saturday but the more inhamed
the murderous passions OF the mobs, and since that
evenings work II has been simply absurd to inquire
who Is the aggressor. On Sunday morning an
omlnous quiet reigned throughout the town. and
those who knew Belfast rioters best foretod
deadly battle before long.
TIE FRAY RENEWED.
All day preparation was made on either side, and
all day troops ana police were pouring in from quar-
tiers outside Ulster. One thousand constabulary
were In town in the afternoon, and General Ware,
conp, aud no m ftarv hau a trem M forc
at his disposal. The Mayor issued a proclamation
warning the people that mobs or knots OF more
than six persons would be dispersed forcibly II
cessary; but the proclamation had no effect what
ever. The riots had gone too far. Violence had
felt its own strength; and now when half dozen
public houses had been sacked and liquors OF all
kinds consumed IN the street with astounding ra-
pidity, mob law was the law Of the hour. At length
they issued from their respective quarters to the
number of about five thousand. They proceeded to
large brick field and commenced
THE BLOODIEsT CONFLICT EVER REMEMBERED IN
ULSTER.
Now the Catholics were driven nom the field ana
now they turned with renewed courage and swept
the Orangcmen away. Tie fight had lasted for
more than half an hour when the military were a.
tracted by the incessant ball firing, and imme.
diately fastened to the spot. The cavalry charged
right between the mobs and the Highlanders dashed
Into the thick Of the crowded street.
MEN FELL ON ALL SIDES
and In fifteen minutes there was tremulous peace.
The wounded were carried to the hospital and one
hundred rioters were conveyed to the cells. But
while this battle was being quelled almost 1ercer
one was being arrayed. The town, as have said
was up all night Men and women feared TO 90 10
bed, and the suspense tempered considerably by
intoxicati0n. Every Protestant house in the Cath.
Ole districts had been sacked, and similar saw.
agery had found devotees in the Protestant omar.
ters. So there were hundreds compelled to be In
the streets, and the quarrel was easily renewed,
From hour to hour circumstances DELAYED the con
nict; but at about five In the afternoon band of
ruiians deliberately smashed In the shutters or two
public houses, and for the next hour
THE FURIRS or PANDEMONIUM RACED UNCHECKED.
Barrels OF porter and ale were opened and huge
draughts were handed out In vessels Of every con-
fe reek kna op'es were e a ab at
feeed into the cutters. In a few minutes drunken
men and women lay about and made a new com.
panon picture for the fearful fescees OF the French
Revolution. Champagne was despised as not
anording faclie means OF ready consumption, and
the sayages lost most OF the wine as they smashed
the necks OF the bottles. AT one moment there were
5000 people bowling like demons, drinking furiousy
OF all drinks, reeking and swearing and staggering
quarter there was not one whole pane of glass.
lhe sashes OF the windows were gone The iurni-
ture lay on the upturned 1agway In hideous DEBRIS.
THE STREETS WERE TORN UP,
the stones were piled In hundred heaps and wo.
men and girls wrought at this fearful preparation
until their hands were Scared and bloody.
The police came up instead OF the Orangemen,
and the battle began in downright savage earnest.
The stones were hurled in thousands against the
force, which gradually retreated until the crowd
reached an open SPACE, when they suddenly
turned and fired. But blank cartridge was not the
food for these fellows, and seeing the disadvantage
pr the police they charged on them with budgeons
and beat them down in numbers The police then
Bf the bayonet, and several rioters fell. couple
~ RIRef wounds were also inflicted, but the con