THE RIOT IN NEW YORK.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 853, 24 August 1871, Page 3

THE RIOT IN NEW YORK.

The disturbances in New York, briefly referred to in our San Francisco telegrams, arose out of the Orange celebration on the 12th of July. Archbishop M'Closky did all in his power on the previous Sunday to prevent an outbreak. He instructed the clergy to speak of the coming demonstration at each mass, and advise the congregations to abstain from any overt act, and allot? the Orange procession to pass in peace. On July 9th fears were entertained that the procession would be attacked, as it became known that several Hibernian clubs had made arrangement for target shooting, and intended to meet the procession of Orangemen. On the 11th J. T. HoffmaD, Governor of the State of New York, issued the following proclamation:—

" The order heretofore issued by the police authorities in reference to said processions, having been duly revoked, I hereby give notice that any and all bodies of men desiring to assemble and march in peaceful procession in this city, to-morrow, the 12th, will be permitted to do so, and they will be protected to the utmost extent possible by the military and police. An escort •will be furnished to any body of men desiring it, on application to me at my headquarters, which will be at the Police Headquarters in this city, at any time during the day, I warn all persons to abstain from interference with any such assemblage or procession, except by authority from me, and I give notice that all powers at my command, civil and military, will be used to preserve the public peace, to put down, at all hazards, all attempts at disturbance; and I call, upon all citizens, of every race and religion, to unite with me and the legal authorities in this determination to preserve the peace and honour of the city and State."

Extraordinary precautions it seems were taken to preserve the peace. Mounted policemen patrolled the streets, and bodies of police were assembled at various points. All the regulars at the various forts were placed under arms and nine regiments of the State Militia assembled at their armouries. Printed secret circulars containing particulars of the proposed attack on the Orangemen fell into the hands, of the police. As early as eight on the morning of July 12th, the Orangemen began to assemble at their headquarters, corner of Twentyninth Street and Eighth Avenue, whence the procession was to start. The members numbered about 200, with a few wearing Orange scarfs, who had revolvers and swords about them.

The police, numbering 400, arrived at half-past ten, under Head Inspectors Jameson and Willing, and one squad was placed on Thirteenth street and Eighth avenue, and another at Twenty-eighth street, and a small corps on Twenty-ninth street, about half way down the block, on both sides of the avenue, to prevent any not members of the Orange fraternity from entering the lines. Several persons representing themselves as Orangemen were allowed to pa*through, but being rather suspicious-looking, were arrested by the police, and on about twenty were found revolvers, pistols, aIU kinds of clubs and old rusty swords. From one man Was taken a seven-shooter, loaded, with a box of cartridges and a roll containing the names of nearly one hundred volunteers, who had got ready to do duty. Every few minutes arrests were made, and in almost every case firearms were taken from the prisoners. A fellow representing himself as a reporter, had furnished himself with a four-shooter and ammunition, and a club.

At two o'clock the Orange headquarters became crowded, and the police had a difficulty in keeping the mob within bounds. About half-past two, the Orangemen formed on Twenty-ninth street, below Eighth avenue, and at the same time, the Twenty-second regiment, under Col. Porter, marched past and formed in line on Eighth avenue, where they loaded with ball and cartridge. Next came the Sixth regiment, which took up position to the north of Twentysecond street. The police were on the east side of the street, and the military on the west, and it would seem to have been the intention to have the Orangemen march between the two files." They presented a small ap-

pearance, and numbered about 200. They had two banners, one the Stars and Stripes, the other, a banner bearing a picture of William of Orange on horseback, and a small one with the inscription,"Americanfreemen, fall in." At three o'clock the signal for starting was given, the procession started, and was twice attacked by the rioters, who were quickly put to flight by the police. A large number of the rioters were clubbed and taken prisoners. At Twenty-sixth street the Ninth regiment charged the mob with fixed bayonets. Several persons were killed and wounded, and among them one woman. Colonel Fisk was shot through the arkle.and Captain Spencer of the Ninth was killed by his own men, while firing into the rioters, and Lieutenant Page of the Ninth regiment, the advertising agent of the Grand Opera House, was mortally wounded. Between Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth streets, the mob fired three shots at the procession, and the military returned the fire, killing eight and wounding thirteen. Two boys and a lady were shot, and sixteen citizens and three soldiers killed. Coming down tho Avenue at the corner of Twenty-third street, the Eighty-fourth regiment fired on the mob, killing and wounding twelve. One policeman was shot dead. The fight on Twenty-fourth street and Eight avenue was more severe. Over 150 of the mob were killed and wounded. Among the troops known to be killed, besides those already reported, are Captain Booth and two privates and a sergeant. The Fourth and Fifth regiments were stationed near the Cooper's Institute, where a procession formed of 300 Hibernians, who, with loud cheers, took possession of Twentyninth street, immediately opposite the police, who stood quietly waiting for orders. When the orders came, the street was closed, and a detachment marched quickly down Twenty-ninth street towards Seventh avenue; two others marched, one up and one down Eighth avenue, and the Hibernians disappeared. No shots were fired, but here and 'there the dull crack of the locust showed that some unfortunate had found out the thickness of his skull. In an instant the street was empty, every shop with the shutters up, and nothing but the police in sight, with the exception of an intrepid photographer, who adjusted his apparatus with all possible coolness to take the scene.

The Orange procession broke up in Fourth Avenue, opposite to the Cooper Institute. The Orangemen put their badgesand regalia in their pockets, and mingling with the crowd, quietly dispersed. The police took charge of the Orange banners. Previous to the procession an order had been issued by Superintendent Kelso disapproving the movement, and refusing police assistance. This order was speedily revoked by G-overnor Hoffman.

At a meeting of merchants at the Produce Exchange, New York, resolutions were passed against any attempt to discriminate between the rights of one religious or political organization to the prejudice of another, as in direct opposition to the great American doctrine of " liberty to all." The following resolutions were carried: " That we care nothing for religious or political prejudices that may underlie differences of opinion among our foreign born citizens, but we deprecate any restriction of the rights of one class more than another, and equal rights and privileges must and shall be granted to all foreigners alike—without regard to their voting power. " That the thanks of this meeting, one and all, are hereby tendered to Governor Hoffman for the prompt manner in which he has relieved the Empire City from the odium of being governed by the rabble."