Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-09-22

Fitz John Porter, in the October num-
Der of the North American Rerietc, in
view Of recent strikes or riots, discusses
the question how me5s should be sup
pressed. He says:
MODS are towards at first. Crime
always enervates. They only gain
courage as they find that they whose
duty it Ia to suppress them are them
selves towards. A mob is not to be
feared when it is first aroused. Il is
only as it's passion for carnage ia
wbetted by the taste of blood, or its
greed for pillage is gratified, that il be-
comes dangerous.
Upon whomsoevsr devolves the duty
OF suppression. let this be his first
effort, check at the very beginning;
allow no tumultuous gatherings; permit
no delay; few stern, resolute words; il
these be not needed, then strike reso-
lutely, boldly; let there be No hesitation;
If necessary, take life at the outset. Il
will DO more merciful to take one life
then than to suffer the mob to take the
lives Of many, or TO be compelled to
sacrifice the innocent with the guilty at
the point of the bayonet, or in the dis.
charge of musketry or cannon. But
the necessity TO take life will not arise
unless there be inactivity and indeoision
at the outset on the part Of the au-
thorities.
Before the time shall come when it
will be necessary to use musket ball or
bavonet, the opportunity will be offered
to suppress the riot; perhaps at the sac
rifoe Of few broken heads, or by the
Imprisonment of some of its leaders.
in every large city, in fact In every
city whore police force 10 employed, .
perfect drill should prepare the police
men to meet the exiRencies arising from
any tumultuous assemblaRe Of the PEG
pie; 50 that. at moments warning,
these oonservators Of the peace will be
ready to act, and to act understa udins-
ly and promptly. IL will be found that q
few determined policemen placed in the
aeld at moment's notice, will prove
one Of the best and most direct meth
DDS Of quelling q mob. These, by skill
full nansuvers. can take mob in flank,
or in rear. or in front. II necessary,
and 90 employ themselves asd
their clubs that almost , before
the mob would know what wa
impelling them they would b driv-
en- from the field of action. This drill
ing. advised to be used With policemen,
can also be used TO excellent advantage
with the militia of every State, 90 that
in case Of emergency they can be used
With as good effect - policemen. It
has often been found, In the history of
this country, that when the soldiery
have been brought in the face OF mob,
even the officers we're 90 anacquainted
with their duties 40 to evince the most
ridiculous ignorance Of What was re-
quired Of them and OF their men in the
exigency; and they and their syoops
have hesu driven iGneminiouaiy from
the field. They would have knsun
What to do, without hesitation, had
they been In the face Of an enemy; bat,
surrounded a. they we're by Q franeic
mob, they faiied-and for lack Of the
necessary drilling.
In the draft riot of 1868. after the
mob had had full possession of the sity
Of New York for several days. and the
United States troops had been called in
With little OF no ehect, and the State
militia bad failed, the police of the city,
by their bold, brave and iudefasiQabls
action. Qaeiied the riot and prevented
any further disorder. IL vas q 70
Variable instance of what can be done
by . drilled organization. Since that
time no mot could by any possibility
have occurred in that great city. The
police force Of New York are ready 10
aes in any emergency and 10 b very
doubtful vhether it woaid be necessary
10 call In The aid Of the State troops, o.
Of the United ssasss fsrces. In case q
rios we're threatened- Governor Sey-
nour. in q prooiamatisn made juss a.
Yer this riot. gave das credit 10 the 20
lies foroe. fully sppresiasise their mag
nifcsns services Lea 10 be known In
every large town aud city throughout
the land that the police foros u con
q sntly under control and discipline,
ready promptly 10 perform its tvhoie
duty in case Of any riosoas Aetiou. and
there uill be an end OF these turbalsni
amembiA9eA-s