Raftsman's Journal

Our "Better Citizens."—On Saturday evening last, after the announcement of the result of the Locofoco Primary election, a citizen of our town, while quietly discussing a political subject with a member of the Democratic party, was most grossly insulted by an impudent, blustering Irishman, who accosted him with the epithet of "a d-d drunken old tailor," and swearing that he "could lick any d-d Know Nothing in the country." At this juncture of affairs, the 'old tailor,' found that he had at least one friend in the crowd who was not afraid to make it publicly known that he belonged to the calumniated party. But as the Irishman was about carrying his threat into execution, he was removed by an officer, just one rod and a half from the scene of action, where he was told to wait and "let their party give it to them, while the officer (!) would go and hide," until a stripling attorney would "lick" the friend of the "old tailor."

Fortunately for our town, and much to the credit of the parties who were so ruthlessly attacked, no violence was resorted to, and their forbearance saved our streets from a scene that would, indeed, have been sad to witness. They have already been stained with the blood of one Protestant, who met his fate for the avowal of his opinions, and woe be to the man who shall rouse the demon of vengeance in the breasts of those who have been made Americans from that very circumstance. It is high time that we should think of protecting ourselves from the assaults and atrocities of these 'persecuted people,' especially as they seem to have succeeded so far as to be able to get the officers of the law to "hurn" while they successfully insult and trample on American citizens!

Later in the evening other rencontres, growing out of this one, occurred, but fortunately no blows were struck, and consequently no blood spilled. In one instance the abuse heaped upon one of our citizens, by a low, scurrilous Irishman, was enough to arouse the blood of an angel, and we only wonder that his teeth were not knocked down his throat. Had he said half as much to many a man, he would have been carried away with a broken head.

It is to be regretted that the foreign born residents among us, do not realize their position, and, instead of embracing opportunities to quarrel with and insult Americans, endeavor to live quietly and in the observance of our laws. As long as they do not molest us, we will not molest them, but if they see proper to insult and trample upon us, though they may have the friendship of our public officers, they will discover that we are abundantly able to protect ourselves, and the man who would not do so is a coward and poltroon.