The whole country has been startled by the insurrectionary movement at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, full accounts of which will be found in our paper to-day.
The movement was promptly suppressed by the authorities, but it will be long remembered as a practical illustration of abolition doctrines.
The President of the United States deserves the thanks of every true man North and South, for the energy and promptitude which he displayed on the occasion. What would have been done if Seward had been President?
We copy the following articles on the subject from the Washington States:
THE EXCITEMENT IN THIS CITY.
Yesterday afternoon, when it became positively known that a riot of a serious nature was progressing at Harper’s Ferry, in which the rioters had taken an unlawful possession of the United States Armory there, every variety of speculation was rife as to its origin, and has continued until this morning. The papers yesterday contained indefinite telegraphic despatches, while those received by the War Department stated but the simple fact that the Armory had passed from under its control, and that active measures were therefore necessary to regain possession of it. When it became known that troops had been ordered from this city, the interest to hear the latest news became unusually exciting, and quite a crowd were assembled at the depot to witness the departure of about eighty marines, with two brass field pieces, and each armed with a Sharp’s carbine and a revolver, in command of Maj. Russell, of the Marine Pay Department and Lieut. Green. – Hon. Mr. Faulkner, late Representative from the Jefferson district, being here, accompanied the troops. The Secretary of the Navy witnessed their departure, and conferred freely with the officers in command.
WISE PRECAUTION OF THE MAYOR.
The Mayor, having also received despatches, at an early hour yesterday, deemed it necessary to take proper caution, and on conferring with the Corporation Attorney, Chief of Police, and others, determined to put the city in a condition to meet any serious disturbance which might occur.
The [anonymous] letter received by Governor Floyd, warning him of the insurrection which took place on Sunday at Harper’s Ferry designated Washington city as one of the points intended to be operated upon by the insurgents. This fact, when communicated to the Mayor, argued at once the priority, if not the necessity of vigilance here to avoid the prejudicial consequences of a precipitate outbreak.
Whilst some treated the mere suspicion of such a thing with great levity, the most sensible of our citizens inferred from the facts that people in Harper’s Ferry did not feel less free from a belief in an early invasion of their rights on Saturday night than our fellow citizens did last night, commend the Mayor for his prudence in the absence of any United States forces in keeping his police and the public-spirited members of the volunteer companies at their posts during the night. A grain of preventative is better than a pound of cure. Who would have laughed if such vigilance had not been exercised, and the calamity which has befallen Harper’s Ferry had visited us? We think Mayor Berret deserves great credit for his praiseworthy course. He remained at his office during the night with Assistant United States Marshall Phillips, Captain Goddard, and some of our most prominent citizens.
He solicited and obtained from the government the loan of two hundred percussion muskets and bayonets, with a supply of ammunition. They were placed in charge of Captain Goddard, Chief of Police who received them at his office in the City Hall, where they were loaded. The police force were present at half past 7’oclock last evening at the same place.
When this action had been taken, large numbers visited the City Hall, volunteering their services, but as every precaution had been made, nothing further was done besides the posting of sentinels on the various roads leading into the city. The President, also, with a view of the possibility of the disaffection reaching this city, ordered, through the Mayor, the establishment of a strong guard at the Columbian Armory, and the armories of the different city military companies. This order was obeyed through Major P. F. Bacon, adjutant of the District regiment.
In Georgetown similar excitement existed, and every precaution was taken to be prepared in any emergency. The reception of despatches late last night confirmed many of the previous reports, and the telegraphic offices were kept open nearly all night in order to obtain the very latest intelligence.
This morning company F, of Richmond, commanded by Gen. Stuart and the volunteer company of the “Young Guard,” accompanied by Gov. Wise arrived in this city.
VISIT OF GOVERNOR WISE TO THE MAYOR.
This morning at 3 o’clock the Mayor received the gallant Governor of Virginia, who arrived with Company F of the Virginia militia. Gov. Wise remained at the Mayors office until about 6 o’clock this morning, when he was accompanied by the Mayor and several citizens to the cars, in which he proceeded to the head of the soldiers of his State to the scene of action. The parade of these companies attracted crowds of spectators. This morning it is understood that the War Department received a dispatch from near the scene of the riot, stating the no more military companies were needed, and the order for the companies from Fort Monroe has been countermanded. This morning those companies arrived at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, and are now awaiting orders.
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, October 26, 1859, p. 1
The movement was promptly suppressed by the authorities, but it will be long remembered as a practical illustration of abolition doctrines.
The President of the United States deserves the thanks of every true man North and South, for the energy and promptitude which he displayed on the occasion. What would have been done if Seward had been President?
We copy the following articles on the subject from the Washington States:
THE EXCITEMENT IN THIS CITY.
Yesterday afternoon, when it became positively known that a riot of a serious nature was progressing at Harper’s Ferry, in which the rioters had taken an unlawful possession of the United States Armory there, every variety of speculation was rife as to its origin, and has continued until this morning. The papers yesterday contained indefinite telegraphic despatches, while those received by the War Department stated but the simple fact that the Armory had passed from under its control, and that active measures were therefore necessary to regain possession of it. When it became known that troops had been ordered from this city, the interest to hear the latest news became unusually exciting, and quite a crowd were assembled at the depot to witness the departure of about eighty marines, with two brass field pieces, and each armed with a Sharp’s carbine and a revolver, in command of Maj. Russell, of the Marine Pay Department and Lieut. Green. – Hon. Mr. Faulkner, late Representative from the Jefferson district, being here, accompanied the troops. The Secretary of the Navy witnessed their departure, and conferred freely with the officers in command.
WISE PRECAUTION OF THE MAYOR.
The Mayor, having also received despatches, at an early hour yesterday, deemed it necessary to take proper caution, and on conferring with the Corporation Attorney, Chief of Police, and others, determined to put the city in a condition to meet any serious disturbance which might occur.
The [anonymous] letter received by Governor Floyd, warning him of the insurrection which took place on Sunday at Harper’s Ferry designated Washington city as one of the points intended to be operated upon by the insurgents. This fact, when communicated to the Mayor, argued at once the priority, if not the necessity of vigilance here to avoid the prejudicial consequences of a precipitate outbreak.
Whilst some treated the mere suspicion of such a thing with great levity, the most sensible of our citizens inferred from the facts that people in Harper’s Ferry did not feel less free from a belief in an early invasion of their rights on Saturday night than our fellow citizens did last night, commend the Mayor for his prudence in the absence of any United States forces in keeping his police and the public-spirited members of the volunteer companies at their posts during the night. A grain of preventative is better than a pound of cure. Who would have laughed if such vigilance had not been exercised, and the calamity which has befallen Harper’s Ferry had visited us? We think Mayor Berret deserves great credit for his praiseworthy course. He remained at his office during the night with Assistant United States Marshall Phillips, Captain Goddard, and some of our most prominent citizens.
He solicited and obtained from the government the loan of two hundred percussion muskets and bayonets, with a supply of ammunition. They were placed in charge of Captain Goddard, Chief of Police who received them at his office in the City Hall, where they were loaded. The police force were present at half past 7’oclock last evening at the same place.
When this action had been taken, large numbers visited the City Hall, volunteering their services, but as every precaution had been made, nothing further was done besides the posting of sentinels on the various roads leading into the city. The President, also, with a view of the possibility of the disaffection reaching this city, ordered, through the Mayor, the establishment of a strong guard at the Columbian Armory, and the armories of the different city military companies. This order was obeyed through Major P. F. Bacon, adjutant of the District regiment.
In Georgetown similar excitement existed, and every precaution was taken to be prepared in any emergency. The reception of despatches late last night confirmed many of the previous reports, and the telegraphic offices were kept open nearly all night in order to obtain the very latest intelligence.
This morning company F, of Richmond, commanded by Gen. Stuart and the volunteer company of the “Young Guard,” accompanied by Gov. Wise arrived in this city.
VISIT OF GOVERNOR WISE TO THE MAYOR.
This morning at 3 o’clock the Mayor received the gallant Governor of Virginia, who arrived with Company F of the Virginia militia. Gov. Wise remained at the Mayors office until about 6 o’clock this morning, when he was accompanied by the Mayor and several citizens to the cars, in which he proceeded to the head of the soldiers of his State to the scene of action. The parade of these companies attracted crowds of spectators. This morning it is understood that the War Department received a dispatch from near the scene of the riot, stating the no more military companies were needed, and the order for the companies from Fort Monroe has been countermanded. This morning those companies arrived at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, and are now awaiting orders.
– Published in The North Carolina Weekly Standard, Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday, October 26, 1859, p. 1
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