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The Philadelphia Riots

The Philadelphia Riots image
Parent Issue
Day
3
Month
June
Year
1844
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

More lives were lost, and more property destroyed in this riot, that in any previous one in any of our cities. It is also an aggravation of the case that this is but one of a series of outrages on person and property, perpetrated for many years, almost with impunity. There is no disguising the fact that the mob had undisturbed.possession of the city. It is true the military were called out, but they did nothing but Iook on. A large portion of the military, to a great or less extent, sympathized with the mob. After the miscltitf had been consummated, martial law was proclaimed and enforced through the city. But the occasion of this outbreak, to our view, is far more ominous to the peace and liberties of our country, than the crime perpetrated. From the best information that can be gathered, it appears that there is a Native American political party organized in Philadelphia, the object of which is to exclude all foreignersfrom holding office during life, and io prevent them from being voters for 21 years af'ter their emigration to this country. We have no official statements to present as vouchers for this, but such is generally understood to be their object. - This party held a meeting in Kensington, in a neighborhood almost entirely composed of foreigners. Their avowed object was to "carry the war into África." While a speaker was holding forth with considerable wnrmth, a quarrel aróse among some persons in reierence, it is supposed, to the principies of the party, which soon carne to blows. Presently a shot was fired into the meeting from an adjacent building, and a general melee ensued, which resulted in conflagration and death. The city of Philadelphia is legally holden to pay for all the property destroyed or injured, nnd the litigation consequent on the claims of the owners will tend to prolong and cherish feelings of jealousy and hatred. The Native American Party had an undoubted right to meet together peaceably for discussion and organizal ion. But if their object is what it is stated to be, we trust it will receive no countenanoe among the virtuous and patriotic. The foreigners are with us;and still greater armies of them will come among us; the question is, hoto shall we treat tliem? Weshall treat them in oneof two ways: we shall extend to them the hand of fellowship, endeavor to edúcate the ignorant. elévate all, and invest with the privilege of citizens, those whohave been among us a suitable time, and thus endeavor to amalgámate them with our owh people as fast as possible; or we shall put such poltical disabilites upon them, as contemplated by the Native Americans, as will be equivalent to a brand of imfamy, and will most effectuaily exclude them from all participation or sympathy with our free institutions. Can there be any doubt in the mind of a thinking man which course would be the most wise, statesmanlike, or just?

Article

Subjects
Signal of Liberty
Old News