Current:

Leader (1850-1860), 16th September 1854, Edition Country of 2, Page 5

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 24

On this page

  • Text (9)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      The Know-Nothings-S In The United ¦ ¦;. ...

      dency and in the approaching elections . They profit by the warning of the Native American Association , and exercise their influence negatively . They start no candidate of their own , but throw the weight of thtfir influence into the scale of him who comes nearest to their views . Remembering that the society is a secret one , it is therefore easy to perceive howimportant an influence it exercises over the elections . By abstaining from presenting themselves as a target , they elude attack , while their power is wielded most efficiently in the dark . They have already fallen like a shell into the midst of the Democratic camp . From the Declaration of Independence

      foreigners have almost invariably allied themselves to that party , and'to repudiate foreigners now would unquestionably cause its dissolution . The Democratic Republican . General Committee has therefore met at Tammany Hall , and entered its solemn protest against tlie Know-nothings . The Whigs remain descendants of the old antiforeign federalists , allied -with the old native American party , and both frona instinct and party prejudice , actuated'by a general distaste for races , whose leaders have generally been found in the democratic ranks , "With the Whig party , therefore , have the Know-nothings allied themselves , and the success of the union hasbeen most signal . •• , '¦ -

      v At Washington ^ Philadelphia , and Baltimore they have carried , their candidates for municipal offices against tlie Government . In the early part of this month the city and county election for members of Congress and county officers took place at St . "Louis , in the State of MisBoiiri . Thomas EL Beitonj a distinguished Democrat , -yvho had been successful at the last election , and whose term had . expired , was the democratic candidate * represent the city in Congress , aud the Irish and Germans voted for him . Kehnet was the Whig candidate , whose name the 3 & ow-nothihgs also had ' . at the head of their ticket . Every exertion was made

      by the democratic party , and an immense number of Irishmen working on the railroads were brought upwards of ip 6 miles to vote for their candidate . The result was a signal defeat , for iiennett , the Knowy nothing protege , was returned to Congress with 6 , 261 votes , while his opponent , Benton ^ lost the seat which he had previously filled , having polled but 5 , 304 . In the county the Know-nothing party was equally successful . No sooner was tlie result known than a fearful riot took place at St . Louis , and durr ing-two days a battle was fought between theKnowjiothings on one side and the Irish and Germants ' on the cither . .

      The fight commenced at five o ' clock on the Mon- * day evening , and is said to have , originated : with an Irishman , who stabbed an American in the back . This was the signal for a general row . An infuriated crowd rushed at him , crying " KilL him , kill l ) £ m !" The Irishman ran for his life , but the rhob isoon overtook him , and ( to use an American phrase ); "just cut him up , " The general work of destruction then commenced ; houses were sacked and burnt , and men shot like dogs in the street . The Americans attacked the office of -the Anzeigcr des Westens , the editor of which had made himself most obnoxious to the Know-nothing party ; a great fight took place here , and the door 3 and windows were battered in .

      Eventually , on Wednesday night , quiet was somewhat restored , and the Major obtained the assistance of 1000 citizens to maintain order . About 20 were killed , and an immense number wounded . How long is this embittered feeling to last , and how long will the ascendancy of the Know-nothing party continue ? As a party it seems created merely to destroy , and has no fix « d policy of its own . It is baaed on an unreasoning ; hatred of foreigners , and ¦ would sacrifice a whole body for the faults of a few of its members . One thing , however , is quite certain—it hae enrolled in its ranks an immense number of enthusiasts . It is perfectly organised , and at the elections for Congress this autumn , and at thb Presidential election in 18 & G , the scenes enacted at St . Lou ^ s will bo repeated in nil parts of the Union , and an internecine war commenced of which no man can see the end ,

      The census of 1 Q 50 shows that the white population of the United States then amounted to 19 , 553 , 058 pexsons . Of theso I 7 , 27 fl , 87 f > were American born j 2 , 240 , 535 were born in foreign countries ; and 32 , 648 were reported unknown as to their nativity . Since that period the foreign population hna been largely increased by immigration , so that the number of pereona of foreign birth now in the United Statoa may bo stated at 3 , 500 , 000 .

      September 16, 1854.] The Leader. 869

      September 16 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 869

      Public Health.-The Cholera. Tkerb Ia ©Ve...

      PUBLIC HEALTH .-THE CHOLERA . Tkerb ia © very reason to believe that the cholera is abating . The state of the- weather , the sanitary precautions , and the absence of any public alarm approaching a " panic , " lmvc combined to check the disease . The Registrar-Gcnerafs Return states : — 11 The population of London execeda 2 , 302 , 286 : and in tho

      week ending Saturday last 3413 persons died , or 2165 more than have on an average died in the corresponding week of former years . " But in the week ending September 8 th , 1849 , when cholera raged , 3183 persons died , so , allowing for increase of population , the rate of mortality for the week is lower than the rate of 1849 . " 2050 persons , namely , 954 males , 1096 females , 614 children under 15 years of age , 1128 men and women of 15 and under 60 , and 287 old people , have died of cholera ; 276 persons have died o-f diarrhoea . " The deaths from cholera la the last nine weeks have been 5 , 26 , 133 , 399 , 644 , 729 , 847 , 1287 , 2050 ; and in the aggregate 6120 persons have lost their lives by the disease . . " ¦ ¦

      " 'Jhe sun has had great powers but clouds and fogs have intervened ; no rain has fallen ; the wind has been dry and languid , the electricity positive , but the temperature of the air and of the Thames is declining . " Active measures have been adopted by the Board of Health for combating the present epidemic , and for obtaining by all the agents and instruments that science has now at command such a thorough knowledge of the conditions that lend , power to this enemy as will enable us to oppose it with advantages that arc not now possessed . " Ihe decline of the temperature , the analogy of the two epidemics of 1832 and 184 'J , as well as the remedial measures that are now brought into operation , justify us in anticipating that the epidemic will , ere long , gradually subside . In the meantime the zeal and watchfulness neither of the local authorities , of the heads of manufactories , rior of the heads of families , should be slackened for a moment . " ¦ ¦;

      The Following List Exhibits Tlie Deaths ...

      The following list exhibits tlie deaths from cholera in London duringjasfc . week , showing the elevation in feet above Trinity high ^ yrate ' r mark , the population in 1851 , and the number of deaths from cholera registered in each subdtstrlct ; with the average annual value of houses in each district ; - ¦ t , .. : ¦ - ' . - ¦ ¦ ; ' . ¦ ' . - V ¦¦ \ . ¦ ' .. r \ Vest districts , elevation above Trinity higl-water mark , 28 feet ; population in 1851 , 376 , 527 ; deaths , 545 . North districts , elevation , 135 feet ; population , 490 , 396 ; deaths , 208 . Central districts , elevation , 49 feet ; population , 393 , 25 §; deaths , 117 , East districts ,. elevation , 26 feet ; population , 485 , 522 ; deaths , 208 ., South districts , elevation , 6 feefe ; population , C 16 , 635 ; deaths , 972 . "

      To Assist In The Investigation Of The Ep...

      To assist in the investigation of the epidemic outbrealc in the region lying between Regent-street , Golden-square , Oxford : street , and ^ ardottr-street , the Eegistrar General has thought it right to publish , as a special appendix to > his weekly return , all the deaths from cholera and diarrhoea that have- been registered in tlie three ^ veeks , extending from August 19 th to September 9 th , in the five adjoining subT < Hstricts , of Berwick-street , of Goldenrsquare , of St . James ' sr sqiiare , of St . Anne , Soho , and of All Souls , Marylebpne ^ where many of the patients died in Middlesex Hospital . This is a very lengthy document containing accurate details on each case . In Berwick-street , the population being 10 , 798—the deaths were ; in the last week 133 ; St . Jiinaes ' s-siquare , population 11 j 469 —• deatlia , 5 ; Golden-square , population 14 , 139—deaths , 149 } St . Anne , Scho , population 17 , 335—deaths , 27 ; All Souls , Marylobone , population , 28 , 841—deaths , 64 .

      It Appears That Unprofessional Treatment...

      It appears that unprofessional treatment of cholera is practised . Mr . T . "Wakley , the coroner , held a protracted inquiry at the Wiieatshoaf public-house , Pursor ' s-cross , Fulham , last weelc , concerning the death of a maiden lady , named Ann Collyor , aged 4 J ) years , of St . Petcr ' a-villas , Purser ' s-cross , wlio died from a severe attack of Asiatic choleau . The affair has created considerable sensation in Fulham , in consequence of its being alleged that the Ucv . Mr . Garratt , incumbent of St . John ' s , Fulham , had administered to the deceased a quantity of Captain Waterton ' s cholera medicines , in opposition to the faculty of the district , and hnd caused death , There were soveral medical gentlomon jrcsent at tho inquest , as also Capt . Waterton . The evidence went to show that although a medical man was in

      attendance on tho deceased , the Key . Air . Garratt administered " cholera powders" to her . JMr . Garratt himsolf stated that ho had been visiting the Iioubo in consequence of the illness of tho deceasod ' u Bister , ajnd when tho former was taken ill ho visited her , remained nil night with her , and sho took Captain Watorton ' a medicines every quarter of an hour , having sent for thorn previous lo Ilia arrival , She was soon out of danger , recovering and getting stronger ; but in u few days had a relapse , caused as he believed by her taking opium pills , and ' doctoring herself . " Onptain Watcrton ' a medicines wore again used by her , in which Mr . Garratt said he had himself groat faith , and she persevered in taking thorn till her death . —Tho case was iidjournod , in order that an analysis might bo miulo of tho Btomuch , and to ascertain whothcr Uic" powdoru" had anything to do with the death .

      Kbl'ljtatlton To Thm Jloaiid Of Health. ...

      KBl'lJTATltON TO THM JlOAIiD OF HEALTH . Au expression of opinion , indicating : purpose on tho purt of the Bourd of Health , was given by Sir Benjamin Hall , in his answer to a deputation from All Saints , Poplar , which complained of tho state of tho sewngo throughout tho district in question , but more especially of tho open sowers in North-street , nnd King-street . They desired that the Board oi Ileulth should , if it had the power , interpose its authority , bo as to compel a more efficient drainago and sowago of tho district , without which it was impossible tho hoalth of tho district could bo preserved . Another ground of complaint wive , that a largo amount of bow age was turned into the canal , and

      the water became in a most filthy and unhealthy condition . Sir Benjamin Hall said , he was most anxious to do everything in his power to assist in checking evils of the kind mentioned , or in removing any nuisances which might be considered detrimental to the public health ; but he Wished it to be known that that department had no control over the Commissioners of Sewers . He knew that the Commissioners of Sewers were most anxious to do their duty , and to see their works carried oiat properly and efficiently , and , at the same time , as expeditnously as possible , but the task was such a heavy one that they could not do all they wished . In any future legislation upon the subject , it would be necessary to place the district sewers under the control of the local authorities , and make them responsible for the proper management of the sewage of their respective districtswhile

      , the main sewers should be placed under the control of a central board , in accordance with the recommendations of the Royal commission appointed to inquire into the corporation of London . It would , in his ( Sir benjamin Hall ' s ) opinion , be quite impossible to secure anything like a sanitary condition of the inhabitants of the metropolis unless they attained three great objects—first , that the Thames should be purified by the construction of intercepting sewers ; second , that every street should have a sewer run throu gh it ; third , that the owner of every Eiouse should be compelled , to make a drain from his house to that sewer , which drain should be properly trapped , thus abolishing all cesspools . Thie whole question of offensive trades must also . come under consideration ; and , if those trades were to be permitted In . the metropolis , all the appliances . that art arid science cotild suggest must be enforced for the purpose of preventing the

      annoyances to winch the public were at present exposed . Another and very irtipqrtant inquiry :- must also be instituted when Parliament assembled as to how far the metropolitan water companies had complied With the engagements entered into in 1852 . The period of three years given to the water coriipanies to bring their , supplies from beyond the tidal influence of the Thames , and from other sources , expired next session ; arid a question so inrportarit to the sanitary condition of the public as to the water-suppl y must be fully gone into . ' The whole s . iibject of sanitary reforiri ; and the amendment ; of the Board of jfealth Act aina the Nuisance Removal Act should be considered as soon as that board could have any leisure , so that bills upon tho & e important subjects might be brought in early in the ensuing sessioni At that moment , however j it was impossible to do pore than attend to the present epidemic and reply to the innumerable letters which . reached

      the board , and . which were much increased in consequence of persons writing to them , on subjects which did not come under the jurisdiction of the department . It must be recoil lected that lie .- ( Sir Benjamin Hall ) had only been , at the heacl of that office about three weeks ; that the lawwas most imperfect ; that when he entered -upon office the cholera was oh the increase ; and that he had tomake all the necessary arrangenients for meeting the disease and checking it as far as possible . This , he was happy to say , had been effected to a very great extent , and he had been , generally speaking , ably and cheerfully assisted by the local authorities . The gentlemen of the deputation would see that at- 'that time the Board of Health did not control the Commissioners of Sewers , but he should be happy at all times to receive suggestions from local authorities which they conceived would in any way tend to promote the public health and improve the sanitary condition of the people-

      The Cholera Seems To Become More Enigmat...

      The cholera seems to become more enigmatical than ever—a gentleman writing from the St . James's district , mentions some points of difference between the character of the disease in 1849 and 1853 , and in tho present year . He says : — , ¦ 1 . The pain to tho sufferers has been comparatively trifling . Theyliavo generally been able to understand and enter into all that was said to them . At the other times the agojpy of tlie cramp and convulsions was overpowering . 2 . The diarrhoea and sickness have been oitcn very slight , oven in fatal cases . 3 . The livid hue of tho skin and coldness 1 , which I had thought inseparable from cholera , have been frequently absent , and thore has been neither discoloration nor extreme coldness up to the hour of death . 4 . Death has come on very sto vlthily , so that persons have sunk rapidly who were thought by all about them to be in a hopeful state .

      I lie remarkable difference between tho typo of the disease in its iirs . t great outbreak a fortnight since , wlien it seemed ungovernablo , almost all dying who were attacked , and in the milcl form of tho lust fow days , will , doubtless , bo made tho subject of close investigation . Tho pestilence has Icon stayed .

      It Is Said That Tho Cholera Has Become E...

      It is said that tho cholera has become epidemic in Liverpool , ai \ d that tho disease is decidedly on tho increase in cortuin districts of tJio town . Tho great majority of tho cases « ro conh ' ned to Scotland and VauxhaU wards , where fovor and diseases of sill kinds have always abounded . Still tho cpidemio would seem to bo spreading . Tho cholera continues its ravages in various parts of Scotland , but on tho whole both its urea and its intensity acem to have somewhat diminished during tho past week . In Glasgow , tho number of deaths hna iullun considerably bolow tho averngo of tho Bust week or two . In droonook , tho deaths from cholera during August amounted to 02 . At Oainpalo and Kirkintillouh , fcho dfaoaso 1 ms bocu very aovcre , and in various parts of Argyllahiro it lias exhibited itselfnot , however , with wiy gr « nl virulence . At I ' erth , thoro havo . bucn sinco tho outbreak of the disease CO casca aud 21 donths , nnd 2 J chsoh ncmuin under treatment . Tho acwinUu from the north of Ireland are alao moro natia ( iict « nT .

      Tiio Montreal Herald, Of Tho 22nd Ult., ...

      Tiio Montreal Herald , of tho 22 nd ult ., publishes a statemont of Uio mvagou of tUo clvoloriv in tlvivt city 4 urinc the

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 16, 1854, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_16091854/page/5/