No Title.Frankfurt, Kentucky, Commonwealth [Opposition](17 December 1859)
[Pointing Finger] It is pleasing to observe the reaction which
is rapidly taking place in Northern sentiment.
The sympathizers with the mad act of John Brown
and his deluded followers, though few in numbers,
made a great deal of noise at first, and almost
convinced some too credulous Southern
men that their ravings were a fair reflection of
Northern feeling. But now that the excitement
of the moment has passed, the strong undercurrent
of genuine Northern patriotism is beginning
to be felt. Conservative Union meetings,
at which resolutions condemnatory of the
Virginia invasion and of all incendiary attempts to
excite the slaves against their masters are passed,
are being held throughout the entire North.
The following telegraphic dispatch will give
our readers a true idea of Northern sentiment:
Excitement at Philadelphia -- Riot Anticipated.
Philadelphia, Dec. 15,
There is some excitement at present existing
here, and there are prospects of a riot tonight.
An anti-slavery fair is being held in Concert
Hall, and a meeting at the Assembly Buildings.
During the meeting this morning, a request
was received from the Mayor, to remove a flag
hanging before Concert Hall, as a violation of
the ordinance in obstructing the streets. The
flag bore certain words and characters which
might lead to a disturbance of the peace; also
an order from the Sheriff, that the Fair should be
closed, and the hall deserted before 3 o'clock
this afternoon.
This proceeding produced much excitement. --
The Abolitionists in council, resolved to proceed
in a body to Concert Hall to protect their goods.
The offensive flag was removed, and an order
of the Sheriff was demanded by the owners of
the building, who object to the action of the lessee
in lending it for such purposes.
G.W.Curtis is to lecture to night, on the
aspect of the slavery question, at National
Hall.
Advertisements appear in the papers for a
meeting outside, to adopt such measures as the
exigency may require, "to prevent the dissemination
of principles calculated and intended to
arouse a spirit of the most intense animosity in
the community, which may lead to fearful
consequences, and to check hireling incendiaries from
making further inflammatory addresses in our loyal
city."
The Mayor is taking every precaution to
prevent a disturbance, which seems almost inevitable,
if either side turns out in strength.
Later.
Mr. Curtis lectured to night to an audience of
two hundred, while about 10,000 people attended
a meeting outside. The latter party was
addressed by
Gen. John D. Miles,
Richard Peters, and others.
Soon after Curtis commenced, several of the
mob threw stones at the building, breaking the
windows.
Five hundred police were stationed in the
vicinity, and immediately made a rush on the rioters
and arrested several. This summary
proceeding had a tendency to calm the excitement,
which first threatened serious consequences.
Major Henry and the Sheriff were on the spot,
directing the police.
During Curtis' lecture he was several times
hissed by the inside audience. The hissers were
immediately ejected by the police.
The excitement is subsiding, and possibly the
trouble is ended.
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