USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Warwick's Keystone commonwealth; a review of the history of the great state of Pennsylvania, and a brief record of the growth of its chief city, Philadelphia > Part 30
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The weak and temporizing conduct of the authorities only incited the mob to further action, and the next day crowds gathered as if by pre-arrange- ment, marched through the streets of the city and made an attempt to burn a colored orphan asylum, but this dastardly crime was prevented by a body of firemen, under the courageous leadership of Morton MeMichael, at that time a magistrate of the city, who was afterwards elected to the Mayoralty.
After the burning of Pennsylvania Hall, Whittier, who had come to the city for the purpose of leading and directing the anti-slave movement, wrote in
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the columns of the "Pennsylvania Freeman." "In the heart of this city a flame has gone up to Heaven. It will be seen from Maine to Georgia. In its red and lurid light men will see more clearly than ever the black abominations of the fiend at whose instigation it was kindled." The disaster did not temper the language of the abolitionists, and they became more radical in their utterances than ever. It was a day when mobs were in the ascendency and crowds of men gathered at a moment's notice, in answer to the appeal of some rowdy or a blatant demagogue. The police force of the city was most inefficient, if we may judge from the number of ontrages that were committed, and frequently the militia had to be called out to quell riots that should have been dispersed by a city constabulary force, if they had been brave and resolute. Fights took place between white men and negroes and often upon the slightest provocation. In many instances these encounters resulted in murder, and if a white man happened to be killed in the fray, the mob wreaked its vengeance on black men in all directions who were not in any wise responsible for the crime. When- ever the mob gathered and began its depredations, the State House bell rang out an alarm like a tocsin to call the people to arms. Frequently fires would be started only for the purpose of giving the firemen an opportunity to enjoy a run. At the slightest provocation crowds of men would gather, and where they could find no negroes to beat they turned their attention to the destruction of property.
In July, 1835, a crowd of ruffians attacked eight or nine honses known as the Red Row, occupied by negroes and located on Eighth street below Ship- pen. They were not only bombarded with bricks and cobble stones, but were set on fire and when the hose and engine companies arrived the mob had grown to such proportions that it kept the firemen at bay, and those that were stic- cessful in directing a stream upon the burning buildings had their apparatus destroyed or the hose cut. The southern section of the city where were lo- cated the homes of the blacks, was thrown into a panic and there was a gen- eral exodus, the colored people removing with as much furniture and house- hold utensils as they could carry, hurried to the suburbs and encamped in the woods.
During all this time when the mob was so violent, the anti-slavery men seemed to grow more radical and bitter in their denunciations. Their publica- tions were distributed not only in the Northern States, but were scattered broadcast through the South. That they were incendiary in character and in- cited a spirit of revolt in the hearts of the slaves was unquestionably true and in order to show that the people of the North were not all in accord with such teachings, meetings were held and resolutions adopted which declared that the citizens viewed with indignation and horror the publication of such doctrines and sentiments among our Southern brethren. Individual negroes, too, com- mitted acts, which did not tend to calm the opposition. A number of them, fifty and upwards, gathered within a building, determined to resist the mob to the last. The house was fortified, the doors and windows barricaded and the men armed with bludgeons and pistols awaited the attack, which fortunately did not occur, for at this time the authorities were awake and dispersed the mob before it reached the locality where the blacks were intrenched.
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These constant outrages reflected upon the fair name of the city and put in jeopardy the property and the lives of the citizens. Halls, meeting houses, churches and even Masonic lodge rooms belonging to the negroes, were ruth- lessly destroyed. These race riots continued for many years, in fact, almost to the beginning of the war. A spirit of rowdyism seemed to pervade certain classes of citizens, and it is surprising that this condition was allowed to con- tinue. At every election, riots and fires were of certain occurrence, and it was indeed exceptional when a day passed without the State House bell ringing an alarm, calling the firemen to extinguish flames, or the militia to subdue a mob.
In 1838 occurred what is known in history as The Buckshot War. It arose from a political contest between the Whigs and the Democrats in the matter of the election of representatives to the Legislature at Harrisburg. The claim- ants of both parties presented themselves at the opening of the session, and demanded the right to take their seats. It looked as if there would be a clash of arms, and Governor Ritner called out a division of the State militia. About twelve hundred soldiers left this city for the capital, and after standing on guard for some weeks, the Democrats were successful in seating their repre- sentatives. Then the militia, having marched up the hill, marched down again, returned to their homes without having an occasion to use their arms, or to fire a shot. Their presence on the scene was sufficient to keep the rebellious from rising.
As bad as the race and election riots had been, they were nothing as com- pared with what were known as the native American riots. The negro riots were confined mostly to the southern section of the city in the neighborhoods where the colored people resided, and up to this time that portion of the city north of Market street was not disgraced by scenes so riotous.
The native American riots or the Weavers' Riots, as they were sometimes called, began in Kensington, the first of them as early as 1828. It was a manu- facturing district and certain localities were crowded with Irish weavers, who had their looms in their houses, for mills were as yet comparatively few in number, and the manufacturers gave out the material to their employees to be taken home and wrought into shape on their individual machines. In the first riot, some indiscreet rowdy, in expressingthis views in a bar room discussion, referred to the weavers as "those bloody Irish transports." The taunt was re- sented and a general fight took place. Guns and pistols were fired, stones were thrown and a number of persons were injured, and the man who uttered the original insult is said to have been kicked to death before the Sheriff's posse arrived upon the scene. The prejudice against the Irish increased as time ran on, and unfortunately some of the hot-headed foreigners, by their language and conduct only intensified it.
About this time a political movement was set on foot for the organization of a party to be called The Native American. Its battle-cry was "America for Americans," its supporters forgetting in their wild enthusiasm that this coun- try had been looked upon as a refuge for the oppressed of all nations.
In the Spring of 1844 a meeting was held in one of the wards of Ken- sington to organize a branch of the Native American party. The meeting
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was held in the open on a vacant lot at the corner of Second and Master streets, when suddenly a number of men armed with clubs made an attack upon the attendants at the mass meeting and drove them away. Another meet- ing, much larger, was held on the following Monday at the same place. Again the Native Americans were disturbed, and after a short scuffle they sought shelter in the Nanny Goat Market, which was located in American street north of Master. The house of an Irish fire company was located nearby and from its windows was poured a volley of shots. Recruits on both sides came in from every direction, and a general fight took place. In one of the frays, George Shiffler, who, it was said, was carrying at that time an American flag, was shot down. The excitement spread like wild-fire through the city, and men hastened to the scene of action and a meeting was called for the next day in the State House yard, where resolutions were adopted denouncing the Irish inhabitants of Kensington, and further resolving that the reading of the Bible in the public schools was necessary for a faithful course of instruction. The crowd was wronght up to great excitement by the harangues of several elo- quent speakers and in the midst of the commotion and excitement, some one suggested the mob should proceed at once to Second and Mlaster streets. The crowd increased in numbers as it advanced, and when Kensington was reached an effort was made to erect a pole and raise a flag on the. spot where George Shiffler had fallen. Having arrived there, some men while occupied in the work of raising a pole, were fired upon from the Irish hose house. The peo- ple, becoming infuriated, made an attack upon the building, broke open the doors, and set fire to it. Several persons were killed and wounded in the fight, and before the fire was extinguished, thirty buildings had been destroyed, in- cluding the Nanny Goat Market. The militia was called out, but did not seem to be enthusiastic in the work of guarding and preserving the public peace. The soldiers having been withdrawn, pillage began at once, and the Irish fami- lies in the neighborhood, packed up their goods and made a general exodus.
Not content with destroying homes, the mob turned with a vindictive spirit upon the churches. St. Michael's, in Kensington, was set on fire and completely destroyed. The whole city was in a state of suspense and appre- hension, for the rioters apparently were in complete control. At St. Augus- tine's Catholic Church, on Fourth street below Vine, the Mayor, John M. Scott, with a special posse of citizens who were sworn in for the occasion, stood on guard and kept the mob at bay, but some ruffian securing an entrance to the building, set it on fire, and in a moment the flames were leaping through the roof, and the entire structure was soon reduced to a heap of ashes. The mob in its wild enthusiasm, shricked for joy, and cheered when the structure was enveloped in flames. The firemen did all in their power to save adjoining buildings, but only partially succeeded, for in the conflagration was de- stroyed a number of houses together with the Catholic school, which wa- under the care of the Sisters of Charity, who had so devotedly given their efforts to the relief of the suffering in the pestilential summer of 1832.
Public meetings were held by conservative and law abiding citizens and addressed by influential men, denouncing the conduct of the rioters, and con- demning them for the destruction of church property, but the religious fanatical spirit rose to such a height that the Native American Party was organized in
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every ward of the city. They gave a grand demonstration on the Fourth of July, and their ranks were increased by visiting delegates from other States. It was feared that the celebration would result in an outbreak but the day fortunately passed without any disturbance.
A rumor had gone forth that in the Church of St. Philip de Neri, on Queen street above Second, in Southwark, arms had been stored and every prepara- tion made to resist an attack by the mob. A party entered the building and brought forth a large number of guns, pistols, axes, and a quantity of powder. This verified the report and was enough to doom the building to destruction.
General Cadwalader, assisted by the Sheriff, Morton McMichael, under- took to protect the property. Cannon were planted in the streets, which kept the rioters at bay, but they hurled their taunts at the General and defied him to open his guns. The General, bearing patiently the insults for some time, at Cast determined upon active measures, and ordered the cannoneers to prepare to fire. Charles Naylor, a well known lawyer of the city, and who at one time had been a Congressman, stepped boldly in front of the cannon and appealed to the gunners not to obey the order. He was immediately placed under arrest and taken as a prisoner into the church. At day-break on July seventh, tim- bers were brought up to push in and batter down the doors. The troops inside the church hesitated to open fire and the mob demanded the immediate release of Naylor. Upon his appearance before the crowd, he was cheered to the echo, but addressing them, he said that as citizens they should, under all circum- stances, preserve the peace. The troops inside the church were a company known as the Montgomery Hibernia Greens, an Irish military organization, and when they were withdrawn they marched out of the building in order, but no sooner were they in the street than they were attacked by the throwing of stones and other missiles and at last they had to flee for their lives. Another body of militia that had been encamped in Independence Square, ready to be called to action at a moment's notice, was hastened to the scene, and arrived in time to prevent the destruction of the building. One rowdy, in endeavoring to wrest the sword from the hands of a Captain, provoked anew the attack, and stones were hurled in every direction against the militia that had just arrived. The command was given to fire, and four or five of the mob were killed. Troops were called in from every section of the_State, and at last peace was restored and the fair name of the city saved from further shame and disgrace.
The whole contest was the result of narrow bigotry and intolerance, and strange to say men whose lives were in direct contradiction to the teachings of religion were the most active and vindictive leaders of the mobs on both sides. There is nothing that creates in the minds of some men as bitter an antagon- ism as religious differences and yet there are no questions that should be so moderately and dispassionately discussed.
In the vast majority of instances, religious belief is a matter of birth, carly associations and education, and the intolerant bigot of one sect would be just as intolerant if he had been born and bred under the other conditions or in the fold of another creed.
It is to be hoped that under the influence of general education, enlighten- ment and expanding civilization, such scenes as were witnessed in the riots of 1844 may never again be repeated.
CHAPTER XXIV.
DEATH OF CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON. JOIN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. LAFAYETTE. THOMAS MARSHALL. APPEARANCE OF PHILADELPHIA. CONSTITUTION OF 1837. FIREMEN. ACT OF CONSOLIDATION.
T HE men who had taken an active part in the early history of the Re- public were passing one by one rapidly away.
On the fourteenth of November, 1832, Charles Carroll of Car- rollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, died in Baltimore. It seemed like the snapping of a tie that bound the past to the present, and as if the nation had entered upon a new career, freed from the direction and the salutary influence of the fathers and creators of the Republic.
A procession marched solemnly through this city on the date of Carroll's burial, eloquent orations were delivered by distinguished speakers, and resolu- tions of respect adopted.
In the summer of the following year, John Randolph, of' Roanoke, that caustic, sarcastic, eccentric, but brilliant statesman from Virginia, died in the City Hotel, on North Third street, in Philadelphia. He had come here to re- ceive the attention of a well known physician. He was frail and delicate in figure, less than one hundred pounds in weight, but in that feeble body beat the heart of a lion. His physical weakness did not impair his mental strength. The City Councils made preparations to pay respect to his memory by giving him an impressive funeral as his body passed through the city on the way to its Southern home, but when his friends informed the authorities and the public that this was not in accord with his dying wishes, his views in this matter were complied with, and his remains were carried to his native State without any special ceremony. He had been a most prominent figure in Congress, noted for his quick repartee, and his incisive speeches. His uncompromising integ- rity in public and in private life had won for him the regard and admiration of the people, although he had not those qualities that induced affection. llis voice was thin and penetrating, and a witness, standing in the lobby of the Capitol at Washington, with the doors of the House closed, said it sounded like the screeching of a boy, and he could not tell at first whence the sound issued supposing that it came from children at play. He was ready at all times to cross swords with the ablest orators, and he was feared by most of them be- cause he spared no one when he was irritated or aroused.
He it was that designated the compromisers of the North as doughfaces. In describing Clay, whom he considered corrupt but brilliant, he declared in his own characteristic style that "he stinks and stinks and shines and shines like a rotten mackerel in the moonlight." In commenting upon the fact that many men of local reputation sank into insignificance when they came to Wash-
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ington, he wisely observed that it was due to the fact that they were swallowed up in the dome of the Capitol.
In the summer of 1834, news reached this country that Lafayette died on the twentieth of May in Paris. Tributes of respect were shown to the mem- ory of the man who had done so much for the young Republic in the trying days of the Revolution.
In 1835, John Marshall, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, passed away at the ad- vanced age of eighty years, at a board- ing house in Walnut street between Fourth and Fifth streets. Ile was here at the time under the care of the famous physician, Dr. Physick. It was upon the occasion of Marshall's funeral, while the bell in the State House was solemnly tolling his re- quiem, that it cracked, its voice never again to be heard.
A convention was held at llar- risburg in 1837 to amend the Consti- tution of 1790. John Sargent, one of the leading members of the Bar of Philadelphia, was elected to preside over the deliberations of the body. Its first meeting was held on May second, and its sessions were contin- ued until November twenty-third, when it adjourned to meet at Musi- cal Fund Hall, in Philadelphia, on November twenty-eighth. After care- ful consideration and discussion, the new Constitution was signed by the delegates on Washington's Birthday, February twenty-second, 1838, and in the following October, at the general state election, the instrument was adopted by the people.
Hanhade
Chief Justice - Marshall, from a Painting on Order from the Philadelphia Bar.
In the Presidential year of 1840, the Whigs brought forward as their can- didate, General William Henry Harrison, against Martin Van Buren, who had served one term as the direct successor of General Jackson. It was an excit- ing canvass from the beginning to the end, and all the methods that created enthusiasm were introduced. "Old Tippecanoe," as Harrison was called, had all the features that go to make up a picturesque candidate and he became a popular idol among his followers. As a frontiersman, an Indian fighter and a heroic soldier, he had those qualities that induce great admiration, even if they did not qualify him as a statesman. The General had visited this city in 1836, and upon his arrival the horses were taken out of his carriage, a rope was at- tached, and even reputable and distinguished citizens helped to haul the can-
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didate in state through the streets. So great was the crowd that the rope did not suffice and it was lengthened out that all men might have an opportunity to join the line. The cry was for "more rope" which became the shibboleth of the Whigs, but it was turned into a taunt by their enemies, who declared that if they only had more rope they would hang themselves. During the Presidential campaign, after Harrison was nominated, mass meetings and processions were of nightly occurrence. The sky was so reddened with the glare from number- less bonfires that it looked from the distance as if Philadelphia were in one grand conflagration. In every street procession the conspicuous object was a log cabin on wheels, with its live coon fastened on the roof, and its barrel of hard cider standing by the door, with the latch string always hanging on the outside. The battle cries were "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too," "Keep the ball rolling, boys," and so wild at times was the excitement that sedate and sober men seemed almost to have lost their reason, as they joined in pushing through the streets of the city, a large ball, indicating the rolling up of a great ma- jority. The campaign resulted in the election of Harrison. He swept the whole country ; but he died only a month after his inauguration.
Philadelphia, as she approached the middle of the century, began to as- sume the proportions of a real metropolis. Commerce still lingered at her port, and the harbor was filled with vessels of all kinds and classes. Hler mer- chants were progressive, and her shops with the display of fabrics of all kinds were most attractive, and unequalled in the country. Her streets were fairly well paved, and quite a number of them lighted, making them comparatively safe from accidents and the assaults of footpads. Her homes were neat and tidy, many of them large and sumptuous. Captain Alexander, about this time a visitor to the city wrote, "I was surprised to see the luxurious living and the expensive furniture of the best classes in Philadelphia. I thought that a Quaker simplicity would have prevailed, but in their lofty rooms the eye was feasted with silken curtains and velvet covered chairs, gilded walls and ceil- ings, mirrors and pictures in costly frames, and at supper, in particular, the viands were delicious and the wines unexceptionable." Tyrone Power, the actor, who had traveled extensively in the old world as well as in the new, said that Philadelphia was "one of the most attractive looking towns" he "had
ever beheld." * * # "The people were well housed and the pavements were evenly and neatly laid with bricks. Many of the streets were shaded with overhanging trees." Another writer said, "The exterior of the houses as well as the side pavements are kept remarkably clean." Charles Lyell, the British geologist, said, "The streets of Philadelphia rival the finest Dutch towns for cleanliness, and the beautiful avenues of various kinds of trees afforded a most welcome shade in summer." Captain Marryat declared that "Philadelphia is certainly, in appearance, the most wealthy and imposing city in the Union." In fact, all the visitors who came to Philadelphia-and no American tour was complete without coming to the Quaker City-joined in speaking of her as being the most attractive city in the country. The houses mainly were built of bricks and the trimmings were of white marble. The pavements were scrubbed by the housekeepers and were kept as clean as a
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kitchen floor, the marble was as white as snow, while the door knobs and knockers were burnished as bright as gold.
Many visiting tourists also referred to the well dressed people upon the streets, and especially to the beauty of the women. Tyrone Power, giving his testimony upon this point, wrote, "About mid-day, Chestnut street assumed quite a lively and very attractive appearance, for it was filled with shopping parties of well-dressed people, and presented a sprinkling of carriages neatly appointed and exceedingly well horsed. Satisfied that I am correct in my judgment when I assert that this population has the happiness to possess an unusual share of handsome girls. They walk with a freer air and more elastic step than their fair rivals in New York."
The majority of the visitors complained of the heat during the summer months, and designated the city as about the hottest place in the country.
The markets still retained their preeminence, and the hotels had a wide reputation. The Mansion House, on Third street near Spruce, was among the best, and somewhat unique in character in the way of its management. It was conducted by a man named Joseph, or as he was familiarly called, "Joe" Head. He had known better days, having been at one time in affluent cir- cumstances. In truth, he was a high flyer and drove his tandem and his coach and four, but meeting with misfortune, he was compelled to turn his atten- tion to hotel keeping. His chef was called Augustine, a name familiar to epicures even to the present day. Mrs. Head and her daughter took an active part in the management of the house, and with their own hands made the puddings and pastry. The proprietor bought the best that the market af- forded, and it was prepared for the table with the greatest care. The hotel had accommodations for only a few guests comparatively. The service was table d'hote. Mr. Head, sitting at the head of the board, carved the meats and the fowl and everything was so homelike that the guests seemed to be dining at a private table rather than in a public inn. The proprietor was a very enter- taining man. He had enjoyed the advantages of an early education, and had had an opportunity of meeting the most distinguished men of the country, for every visitor of note, while here, endeavored, if possible, to obtain accommo- dations at his hotel. The bedrooms in the winter season were well heated by open log fires, and the bed linen was as clean and white as snow. Mr. Tyrone Power, in describing his chamber, "said, "The window opened into an inner court" where he had "one of the most attractive winter prospects imaginable, in the form of entire carcasses of several fat bucks all hanging in a comely row, and linked together by a festooning composed of turkeys, wood cock, snipe, grouse and ducks of several denominations." . Ilead was a most genial boniface, but he reserved the right to close the doors of his inn against the entrance of any person, who for some reason or other of his own he did not wish to admit.
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