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First Destruction
of the Press
“That the Federal Republican, edited by Messrs. Hanson and
Wagner, exercising a constitutional right of reviewing the measures of
the national cabinet, arraigned, in glowing colours, the integrity and
policy of the system which was to plunge the nation into hostilities:
That the exercise of this right produced a general
spirit of intolerance against that establishment; and that leading and
distinguished advocates of the administration, were so far forgetful of
the spirit of our constitution, of the sacred protection which the freedom
of the press required from their hands, and of their obedience to the
sovereignty of the law, as to indulge in denunciations against the establishment,
and to circulate the horrible impression, that the same course of strictures
upon the measures of the Cabinet, would, after a declaration of war, merit
and receive the summary application of popular vengeance. The fitness
and correctness of this doctrine were inculcated by the instrumentality
of the democratic presses, having an extensive circulation amongst that
description of persons the most likely to be impelled to excesses, and
the fit instruments of outrage—
That under the influence of the feelings excited
by the above improper expressions of distinguished characters, and publications
in the democratic papers, committees were organized by men of daring character,
(only one of whom has been named by your committee), to obtain subscribers
to a plan, having for its undisguised object, the demolition of the Office
of the Federal Republican. In this effervescence of the public
feeling, and state of preparation, the Congress of the United States declared
war on the eighteenth of June. The editorial remarks in the Federal
Republican on the ensuing day, reprobated the motives and expediency
of the measure: The ministerial papers replied to those remarks in a style
of bitterness and acerbity, well calculated to direct and secure the consummation
of the promised threat of revenge. On Sunday, rumors were afloat, and
a belief entertained, that public meetings at Pamphilion's hotel, the
Apollo, and Stewart's gardens, had determined to silence the press. On
Monday, the paper appeared without remarks on the attitude which the congress
had assumed; but still, well grounded apprehensions were entertained by
Mr. Wagner, that his establishment and person were both endangered, and
he took the precautionary measure of removing his book of accounts from
the office. In the evening, the plan of lawless outrage was commenced
by a parcel of boys and a few men. The assemblage quickly augmented, bringing
with them fire-hooks, and every apparatus requisite for the destruction
of the building. The operations of the mob were conducted with a regularity
and subordination inducing a belief that the whole was the result of a
digested system of operations, and terminated in a loss to the proprietors
of three or four thousand dollars.”
“A portrait of the evils of democracy
submitted to the consideration of the people of Maryland,” American
Memory, 9-10.
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Description of the July Riot
“In 1812, occurred the Baltimore riots over Alexander Hanson's Baltimore
Federal Republican, partly stimulated by its rival, the Baltimore
Whig. Baltimore was a red-hot war city in Madison's time, and the people
were tired of the 'old Feds,' who were opposed to everything but
the English.”
Washington, outside and inside. A picture
and a narrative of the origin, growth, excellencies, abuses, beauties,
and personages of our governing city. By Geo. Alfred Townsend. CHAPTER
X. JOURNALISM AT WASHINGTON, 132.
Responses to the Riot
From a Philadelphia Newspaper
“A moral and political pestilence has gone abroad,
threatening to blas the social virtues, banish the principles f civilization,
and extend te horrors of anarchy over this the fairest portion of the
globe. How far its ravages are to be permittd to extend, is known only
to that Being who guides and governs all things in infinite wisdom. But
on Baltimore, miserable and degraded Balimtore, its effects have been
terroble, and will long be remembered with horor by all who believe civilization
and humanity essential to happiness of mankind. Where indeed, is the blood-stained
pages of history should we look for o scene better coontrived to make
Heaven weel and Hell rejoice than that which has deluged the streets,
of unhappy Baltimore in blood and tear. The mind recoils from the belief,
while heart bleeds at the reciatl of transactions so lawless, barnarous
and inhuman. The details of these horrible events by both parties conerned
are presented to our readers in compliance with custom, and as every one
will feel solicitious to learn that extent of a clamity so dreadful and
so disgraceful to our national character. Bit for the honor of our country,
would to God it could be blotted forever from the annals and from the
memory of manking.
We wish to be clearly understood that we do not participate in the slightest
degree, in any of the local feelings, passions, or prejudices which appear
in the difference accounts of these horrid transactions. We view the whold
scene, as fraight in its consequences with destruyction to all the principles
and institutions which uphold the fabric o our liberties our national
character and existence, as a civilized people; And as such we wish to
hold it up as an awful example of hte effects of political bigorty and
folly, lawless passion and unrestrained licentiousness—May Heaven
ot ifs inifinte mercy, stay the waves of anarchy, and restore to bleeding
Baltimore the blessings of peace, safey and good government.”
Federal Republican, Vol. VI, August 10, 1812,
No. 850
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From a Baltimore Citizen
“Extract of a letter from Baltimore, August 3rd,
1812.
As to the accounts of the horrid transaction at Baltimore, depend upon
it, there has been no exaggeration; that would be next to impossible.
No language can point out the shocking scene whether you regard the treacherous
villains who planned the massacre or the savages who executed it. Baltimore
can never recover. As to Hanson himself, in what language shall I speak
of him? I wish I had time to do it. It is a fact that ought to be known
that he actually proposed to the hellhounds that if they would spare his
friends he would put himself into their hands without condition. But one
murder would not satisfy them and they refused knowing they should soon
have posssession of the whole little party....
Not an attempt has been made, as far as we know, by the police of the
city or the government of the states to put a stop to the riots and murders,
or to apprehend or punish the authors and perpetrators.”
Federal Republican, Vol. VI, August 10, 1812,
No. 850
In Support of the Federalists
“Why are federalists a persecuted race? Must they leave their Egypt,
and under the conduct of another Moses, seek a new Canaan? Can they boast
of no virtues, no services, to entitle them to the joys of liberty's land?
Who reared the temple of national freedom? Who kindled the sacred flame
on its altars? Whose virtues, whose services have contributed to nourish
that flame? Go! untie the scroll of of fame!—Pursue the list of
American worthies, and tell me if any federalists are there!—Go
to the hard fought fields of the revolution—kneel on their sacred
earth, which tells no lies, and ask her, if on the memorable days, when
we fought for liberty, no federal blood moistened her bosom? Nay persecuted
as we are, perhaps at this moment some gallant sailor climbs the shattered
mast to nail the flag of my country to its stump—My life on it,
that fellow is a federalist!—Perhaps some gallant soldier may yet
scale the heights of Abraham, to wreathe liberty's standard around Montgomery's
tomb!—I tell you, the first foot, which presses that classic ground,
will be a Federalist's!—Forever live the glorious name our Washington
bore—Forever let his example inspire his children!
The spirit of Federalism rises from the tomb of Mount Vernon—and
when my country shall bend under the storms of adversity, the children
of Washington will show "their generous nature."
When the storms of adversity shall rock liberty's temple to its base,
the Sampson of Federalism will grasp the pillars, and in his expiring
struggles, will perish with liberty, in liberty's ruins.
“A portrait of the evils of democracy submitted
to the consideration of the people of Maryland,” American Memory,
99.
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Response from Boston
Newspaper
“In responding to the mob attack in Baltimore, the Boston paper
lauded the fallen defenders with Hanson. “[W]e consider them MARTYRS
TO THE CAUSE OF LIBERTY; and to the survivers we offer an asylum from
the rage of foreigners, and our assurances of co-operating with them in
any measures to save our country.”
“A portrait of the evils of democracy submitted
to the consideration of the people of Maryland,” American Memory,
65.
Another Response from Boston
“The inhabitants of the town of Boston, have learnt with hearfealt
concern, that in the city of Baltimore, a most outrageous attack, the
result of deliberate combination, has been made upon the freedom of opinion,
and the liberty of the press. An infuriate mob has succeeded in accomplishing
its sanguinary purposes, by the destruction of printing presses and other
property; by pulling down buildings that were merely leased to the conductors
of those presses, by violating the sanctuary of dwelling houses, breaking
open the public prison, and dragging forth from the protection of the
civil authority, the victims of their ferocious pursuit, guilty of no
crime but the expression of their opinions, and completing the tissue
of their enormities, by bruises, wounds and murders, accompanied with
the most barbarous and shocking indignities.”
“A portrait of the evils of democracy submitted
to the consideration of the people of Maryland,” American Memory,
62.
Full Citation and Source Information
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