NARRATIVE OF EVENTS--IN BALTIMORE.
"We shall endeavor to give a connected narrative of events that have happened in our city, and deprived us of the lofty reputation that we had earned by twenty-three years of happy obedience to the law--Baltimore having been, from the time of the war-riots of 1812, remarkable for the peaceable demeanor of its inhabitants, and the safety and security, and perfect quiet, of all its population. We were not entirely exempt from excitements, on several occasions--but they "were few and far between," and never proceeded to extremities, to the best of our recollection; though some occasions had happened in which the public patience was severely and tried.* ...."
* - "Such as the immense losses, sustained some time ago, by failure of the City bank, and the reduced value of the stock in others, as much as 25 per cent. In some cases; and within last year the bankruptcy of the Suequehannah bank, the bank of Maryland, the Maryland savings institution, with the United States insurance company, and two or three other rag-shops. Taking the whole together, the people have been plundered of more than two millions of dollars--perhaps, three millions; they bore all this with astonishing meekness." . . ." [Pg. 412]
"...And thus was the city yielded; and, in consequence, the prisoners made on Sunday morning, were released--as they, certainly, would have been on Sunday night, by their colleagues.
"On Sunday, the people, without a head had nothing to do but to look on and tremble. No one felt himself safe--as every thing was given up. Anarchy prevailed. The law and its officers were away!
"But Monday morning changed the aspect of things.--It now appeared that the people were called upon to defend, not only their property, but also their lives--and it was manifest that there was a general, but gloomy, resolution entertained to do both. Things had reverted to their original elements--there was no law, and a was wanted to bring order out of confusion. This was easily found in gen. Samuel Smith--who being elected chairman by a great assemblage, at the Exchange, accepted the trust reposed In him, and, with the alacrity of youth, though in his 83d year, took his seat, and told the assembly that the time for resolving had passed away, and that for action had arrived. The flag of the union had been previously raised, and, with it at their head, the people marched to the Park, when being addressed briefly by general Smith and others, and told what they ought to do, they speedily retired to prepare themselves instantly to obey. The orders were to arm, and to repair to the City Hall. The fire companies were also called out, and appeared on the ground in great force. In the mean time the
city councils had met and the following proceedings took place--
Proceedings of the first branch, Monday, Aug. 10.
"The first branch of the city council met pursuant to a summons from the mayor...."
"...The mayor having retired from his seat, (which he formally resigned next day), the president of the first branch of the council, gen. Anthony Miltenberger, ex officio, took his place; and, aided by gen. Smith, issued the necessary orders. Even the middle district watch, (through the scene of the riots) we believe, had not been set on the preceding night! Such was the confusion that prevailed.
"On Monday evening a large display of citizens, in arms, attended at the mayor's office; they were stationed in different parts of the city, with the firemen, ready also for action, and peace prevailed during the night. The streets were as quiet as the grave--except in the heavy tread of detachments of armed men to reconnoitre its different parts..." [Pg. 416]
[NILES' REGISTER--AUG. 15, 1835--EVENTS IN BALTIMORE. NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, CONTAINING POLITICAL, HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, SCIENTIFICAL, STATISTICAL, ECONOMICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTS, ESSAYS AND FACTS. TOGETHER WITH NOTICES OF THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES, AND A RECORD OF THE EVENTS OF THE TIMES. H. NILES, EDITOR. THE PAST--THE PRESENT--FOR THE FUTURE. FROM MARCH, 1835, TO SEPTEMBER, 1835--VOL. XLVIII. OR, VOLUME XII.--FOURTH SERIES. BALTIMORE: PRINTED BY THE EDITOR. AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS, WATER-STREET, EAST OF SOUTH-STREET.]
Interesting, yes? Preview of history repeating itself in the not to distant future perhaps?
* - "Such as the immense losses, sustained some time ago, by failure of the City bank, and the reduced value of the stock in others, as much as 25 per cent. In some cases; and within last year the bankruptcy of the Suequehannah bank, the bank of Maryland, the Maryland savings institution, with the United States insurance company, and two or three other rag-shops. Taking the whole together, the people have been plundered of more than two millions of dollars--perhaps, three millions; they bore all this with astonishing meekness." . . ." [Pg. 412]
"...And thus was the city yielded; and, in consequence, the prisoners made on Sunday morning, were released--as they, certainly, would have been on Sunday night, by their colleagues.
"On Sunday, the people, without a head had nothing to do but to look on and tremble. No one felt himself safe--as every thing was given up. Anarchy prevailed. The law and its officers were away!
"But Monday morning changed the aspect of things.--It now appeared that the people were called upon to defend, not only their property, but also their lives--and it was manifest that there was a general, but gloomy, resolution entertained to do both. Things had reverted to their original elements--there was no law, and a was wanted to bring order out of confusion. This was easily found in gen. Samuel Smith--who being elected chairman by a great assemblage, at the Exchange, accepted the trust reposed In him, and, with the alacrity of youth, though in his 83d year, took his seat, and told the assembly that the time for resolving had passed away, and that for action had arrived. The flag of the union had been previously raised, and, with it at their head, the people marched to the Park, when being addressed briefly by general Smith and others, and told what they ought to do, they speedily retired to prepare themselves instantly to obey. The orders were to arm, and to repair to the City Hall. The fire companies were also called out, and appeared on the ground in great force. In the mean time the
city councils had met and the following proceedings took place--
Proceedings of the first branch, Monday, Aug. 10.
"The first branch of the city council met pursuant to a summons from the mayor...."
"...The mayor having retired from his seat, (which he formally resigned next day), the president of the first branch of the council, gen. Anthony Miltenberger, ex officio, took his place; and, aided by gen. Smith, issued the necessary orders. Even the middle district watch, (through the scene of the riots) we believe, had not been set on the preceding night! Such was the confusion that prevailed.
"On Monday evening a large display of citizens, in arms, attended at the mayor's office; they were stationed in different parts of the city, with the firemen, ready also for action, and peace prevailed during the night. The streets were as quiet as the grave--except in the heavy tread of detachments of armed men to reconnoitre its different parts..." [Pg. 416]
[NILES' REGISTER--AUG. 15, 1835--EVENTS IN BALTIMORE. NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, CONTAINING POLITICAL, HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, SCIENTIFICAL, STATISTICAL, ECONOMICAL, AND BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTS, ESSAYS AND FACTS. TOGETHER WITH NOTICES OF THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURES, AND A RECORD OF THE EVENTS OF THE TIMES. H. NILES, EDITOR. THE PAST--THE PRESENT--FOR THE FUTURE. FROM MARCH, 1835, TO SEPTEMBER, 1835--VOL. XLVIII. OR, VOLUME XII.--FOURTH SERIES. BALTIMORE: PRINTED BY THE EDITOR. AT THE FRANKLIN PRESS, WATER-STREET, EAST OF SOUTH-STREET.]
Interesting, yes? Preview of history repeating itself in the not to distant future perhaps?
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