The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-03-10
RIOT AND RUIN
usroaE ron SAN FRANCISCO
...srdins 90 the Following Mani
r.sio Issaed by the citizeas'
orxantzatien-The Dan
gers Feared. Etc.

That the motive Of the present or
s.airation Of citizens, known as "The
citizens protective unlon," may be
uroperly understood and appreciated by
tboughiful men, the following state
ment is submitted:
We declare the objects and purpose
Of this organization TO be,
First, The preservation OF public
peace.
Second, The protection OF life and
property.
Third, The restoration OF confidence
in the security OF life and property from
all violence
Fourth, The resuscitation OF legiti-
mate commercial industries and bust
ness OF the people.
All this we intend and expect to ac-
eomplish within the law and by peace
ful methods. This is IN organization
OF conservative power for the public
good. 1t attacks no political party,
and is formed without regard to party
politics.
We believe the time has come when
the manhood Of San Francisco should
be inserted, and IL Is intended that the
line shall now be distinctly drawn be-
tween those who are In favor Of law
and order, rights OF property, safety
and liberty OF citizens and peaceful
prosperity; and those who are for riot.
assassination and pillage, anarchy, un-
rest and destruction. All good citi-
zens who agree with us and approve OF
our objects and purposes are invited to
Join themselves to this organization by
signing the roll.
There Is no middle ground upon
which any man can stand. Neutrality
in this crisis can only be excused by ex-
treme age or pitiabl, cowlrdics.
The agitation which was begun
and carried on for long time, osten-
sibly for the encouragement OF Chi
nese immigration. has degenerated in
toa carnival Of impudent, blasphemous
ihreatenings against lives and property,
and vilifi cations Of private character,
until 1t has become the scandal of the
time, and brought dishonor upon
American civilization.
50 long as the agitation was confined
to Its original purpose 1t proceeded
without objection, for the whole people
of California recognized the evils OF
Chinese immigration, and united to OPP
pose II by all lawful means, but now,
when it is made pretext for the or
ganization OF largo bodies Of armed
men whose declared purposes are riot
and possibly massacre, TO be aided by
general couHagrations, and the actors
to be rewarded by the liberty Of un.
limited pillage, the citizens Of this COM
monwealth have determined to inter-
pose their power, and declare that this
contemplated tragedy shall not be en-
acted here, and that public threats Of
the accomplishment Of such wicked
and Inhuman designs cannot and will
not be longer tolerated. The drills In
secret places nightly, the tramp in the
streets OF irregular armed forces, ac-
companied by arrogant threats OF vio-
lence by their leaders, Is an intolerable
menace to the peace and well being of
society.
II no harm Is intended, there will be
no more threats, and display Of force
will be henceforth confined to public
parades In open day.
The city wants peace, and 1t Is our
purpose to give 1t that tranquility
which will assure renewed prosperity,
and again place 1t In the highway of Its
grand destiny.
We appeal to the reason Of men who
have been drawn into the vortex Of
treason, to social order prepared for
them by vicious, irresponsible and sell
hsh leaders. We ask them to reflect
that this Is q government Of law; by
the people, and for the people; that
there are legal and peaceful remedies
Tor public and private wrongs that
neither the Chinese question nor any
other question can be settled here; and
now, by resort to unlawful force that
the courts Of this state and Of the
United States are arbiters OF all these
questions and that their DEGREES will be
enforced by irresistible force Of govern
mental authority; that the threats Of
destruction and desoiation by dyna.
mite and fire; Of hangings and murder
furnish no remedy for the grievance,
nor relief to the destitute, but rathe,
serves to paralyze nll our industries and
business, check enterprise and produce
that stagnation which ultimately leaves
all laborers out Of employment. Fol
vicious and reckless men, few In mum
Dor but devIlish In their designs, whs
have organized for evil and in theil
secret halls are planning mischief t
The people who have too generously
tolerated their presence in this city, ",
have no word Of counsel or warning,
but let no man deceived whoever
would begin In the riot, violence Of
conhagration. here let him frst coun,
tho cost; the honest, unemployed ant
deserving poor have the sympathy o.
all Just men and the appeals Of those II