The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1885-09-17
How to QueII Nrobs.

AVV w ~ENAOAe NAVUDs
Fitz John Porter, in the October
number ofthe North American RsvielO,
in view of recent strikes or riots, dis
cusses the question how mobs should
be suppressed. He says:
"Mobs are towards at first. Crime
always enervates. They only gain
courage as they find those whose duty
it is to suppress them are themselves
towards. A mob is not to feared
when it is first aroused. 1t is only as
its passion for carnage is whetted by
the taste Of blood, or its greed for pill
lage is gratified, that it becomes dam
gerous.
"Upon whomsoever devolves the
duty of suppression, let this be his
first effort, check at the very begin
ming allow no tumultuous gatherings,
permit no delay; few stern, resolute
words if these be not needed, then
strike resolutely, boldly let there be
no hesitation if necessary, take life
at the outset. 1t will be more merci-
full to take one life then that to suffer
the mob TO take the lives of many, OF
to be compelled to sacrifice the inno-
cent with the guilty at the point of the
bayonet, or in the discharge OF mus
kerry or cannon. But the necess ity
to take life will not arise unless there
be inactivity and indecision at the
outset on the part Of the authorities
Before the time shall come when
it will be necessary to use musketball
or bayenet, the opportunity will be
afforded to suppress the riot; perhaps
at the sacrifice of few broken heads
or by the imprisonment of some OF its
leaders.
"ln every large city, in fact in every
city where police force is emplyed 9
perfect drill should prepare policemen
to meet the exigencies arising from
any tummltuous assemblage Of the
| people; so that, at moments war
ming, these conservators of peace viii
be ready to act, and to act understan
dinghy and promptly. 1t will b
found that few determined policemel
placed in the field at moment notice
will prove one of the best an
most direct methods Of quelling moi
These, by skillful maneuvers, ca
take mob in flank, or rear, or il
front, if necessary, and so emplo
themselves and their clubs that almos
before the mob would know what wa
impelling them they would be drive,
from the field Of the action. Thi
; drilling, advised to be used with pC
licemen, can also be used to excellen
advantage with the militia Of ever
State, so that in case OF emergenc
they can be used with as good effet
as policemen. 1t has often bee
found, in the history of the riots {
this country, that when the soldie.
, have been brought in the face of
/, mob, even the officers were so III
acquainted with their duties as
evince the most ridiculous ignorant
of what was required Of them and
their men in the exigency and the
and their troops have been driven i
ANONYMOUSLY from the field. The
would have known what to do, wit
: out hesitation, had they been in Il
face of an enemy; but surrounded
they were by frantic mob, they failt
Il and for lack of the necessary dril
; ing.
"In the draft riot of 1868, after IL
e mob had had possession Of city OF Ne
], York, for several days, and the Unit,
n States troops had been called in wi
vt little or no effect, and the State milit
1t had tailed, the police Of the city,
IT their bold, brave, and indefatigat
'e action, quelled the riot and prevent,
s. any further disorder. 1t was !
e. markable instance of what can
done by drilled organization, Sin
sc that time no riot could by any pos
A. bility have occurred in that great Gil
L. The police force of New York a
is ready to act in any emergency land
n is very doubtful whether it would
ID necessary to call in the aid OF t
n State troops, or of the United Stat
n forces, in case riot were threatent
n. Governor Seymour, in proelamati,
:. made just after this riot, gave dl
Y credit to the police force, fully app
ID ciating their magnificent servic
BY Let it be known in every lage to,
re and city throughout the land, tn
: the police force is constantly unC
" control ahd discipline, ready promp
n, TO perform its whole duty in case
to anyriotous action, and there viii
an an end Of these turbulent assembls
les"