Our American

Otago Witness, Issue 1456, 11 October 1879, Page 6

Our American

Troubles in San Francisco and At temptbd Assassination, arising out of Politics— De Young, of the Chronicle, SHOOT 3 THE REV. Dr KALLOCH, Working Men's Candidate for Mayor — The Yazoo Mbthob— ConklingSprague Scandal. San Francisco, August 24th.

Sau Francisco is passing through a crisis more exciting thaa anything that has happened in America since the assassination of President Lincoln. To California, and in part to the Union also, on account of the principles involved, the attempted assassination of the Rev. Dr KLalloch, working men'B candidate for Mayor of San Francisco, by Charles De Young, senior proprietor and editor of the Chronicle, is of far more importance than the death of Lincoln was to the nation. When the assassin, Wilkes Booth, stabbed Lincoln the war was practically ended. Richmond had fallen, Lee had surrendered, and the principle of secession and civil government, based upon human slavery, was a " lost cause." The national party had prevailed. They had beaten down opposition, and by grape shot and repeating rifles, successfully traversed the arguments of Calhoun, although these, in turn, had been backed by the chivalry of the South. The murder of Lincoln, therefore, was without political significance. That it was committed by a Virgiuian gave it the appearance of a political conspiracy is undoubted, but subsequent investigation disproved this wholly. An attempt was made to connect the VicePresident, Andrew Johnson, with the plot, but this failed, although it resulted in an attempt to impeach him, and the inauguration of carpet-bag rule under Grant. It was critical times, however, and the nation was profoundly stirred. There was little judicial temperament abroad, and whether the act were completed or not made no difference to the popular conscience. The murderer must die. This was the unanimous verdiot of the American people, and with his death came calm. No principle of civil government had been at'stake, no social ©r political issue was raised, and the gibbet expiated the murderer's crime. But here in San Francisco, and at this time, a similar crime has been perpetrated, which has sent an electric shock through the nation, and embarrassed the Cabinet in Washington, aB to its ultimate issue. And well it may, for the issue has novsr been squarely raised whether the law, and civil and military authority, are to be used to shield criminals and oppress lawabiding citizens, If the people become convinced, as they now strongly suspect, that the latter is the case, then there will be revolution — an uprising of the people from the Pacific to the Atlantic, — and the destruction of a social and political system whioh has become rotten before ita prime, with a swiftness and thoroughness which would at once surprise and appal the world.

The particulars of the tragedy may be stated briefly. On Saturday morning, A ugust 23rd, Charley De Young left his house on Eddy street, before 10 o'clock in a coupe, and drove to the suburbs, where he got a telegraph message boy whom he took with him in the carriage. He drove out to the house of the Rev. Dr Kalloch, at which the telegraph messenger called twice. Dr Kalloch had left for his office or study in the Metropolitan Temple, whither De YouKg'B driver was told to go. At about 10 o'clock the coupe drew up in Jessie street, off Fifth, an unusually quiet spot that hour of the morning, opposite the United States Mint, and close by the side entrance to the Metropolitan Temple. Here the messenger again alighted, and stepped up to Kalloch, who was getting into Mb buggy with another gentleman.

"A lady wants you at that coupe*, " said the moßsenger in livery, a statement whioh doubtless threw Kalloch off his guard. Without waiting to draw on hia gloves, he turned and walked to the door of the coupe. The blind was drawn, but just as he laid his hand upon the door, De Young raised the corner of it, and shot him above the nipple of the left breast. Kalloch, who was unarmed, put his hand to his breast and staggered partly round. De Young opened the door, and told his driver to drive to the Old City Hall, where his friends of

the police would take care of him. Ar the same time he fired a second shot, which took effect in the tbigh, inflicting a dangerous wound. The wound in the breast is probably fatal. It is averred that a third shot was fired, but this is not easily proven, inasmuch as the pistol somehow has been lost. The revolver was .of English bulldog pattern, self- cocking, and carrying a riflebullet. Kalloch's coloured servant seized De Young by the collar, but was compelled to release him at the point of the pistol and a threat to shoot him. A bystander who rushed up was similarly threatened, while a police officer pumped into the coupe" beside him, and was immediately followed by another. But the coupe did not proceed. One man seized the reins and prevented the horse moving, while a struggle took place between the few parsons attracted to the spot and the police, who prevented De iToung being dragged out and killed. Ultimately the mob took the carriage and threw it bodily over upon its top, breaking it to pieces. De Young fell under the officer*, and was thus partially protected, but he was roughly handled. The police, however, succeeded in getting him into a hack, and driving to the City Hall, where he was placed in a cell on a charge of attempt to murder. His brother, Michael De Young, sought the protection of the came cell, having " surrendered himself to the police."

The news spread like wildfire. All business was suspended, and for many hours 40 to 50 thousand men thronged the streets. The military were called out, and the police placed in positions to protect the De Youngs' lives and property. Indeed, it was generally remarked, owing to the celerity with which the police appeared on Fifth and Jessie, where usually they are invisible, coupled with their appearance almost simultaneously with the assassination at the De Youngs' place of business and private residence, that the police authorities must have been privy to it. At least one leading officer, who issued all the orders that day, is reported to be a partner in the Chronicle, and is known to be devoted to their cause, having exceeded his duty in former years shielding them from the consequences of their attempt to assassinate Ben Napthally, an attorney, who had published a biography of the brothers, reflecting upon themselves, their mother, and sisters — truthfully, it is said, but in terms of license only equalled by the habitual style of the Chronicle. Cannon guarded the approaches to the police office. Gatling guns had been placed in the new City Hall to command the fc and Lot meetings, and the most elaborate preparations were made to decimate the people if they had attempted to interfere with the assassins, who have the City Hall ring as their allies and defenders.

An excited meeting was held at the Sand Lots about 2 p.m., at which, it was proposed to go to the prison and lynch the De Younga. Wiser counsels prevailed. Denis Kearney was absent stumping the State for the working men's ticket. He was to arrive on Monday, but was telegraphed for, as he alone could restrain the people. The telegram reached him at Napa, and caused intense excitement, thousands flocked into the principal thoroughfare, and a guard was detailed to protect him, the belief being general that this was the first act in a premeditated plot to kill the leaders of the Working Men'B party, and capture the State at the election on September 3. This city had the same conviction, and the working men sent two of their leaders to meet him, while four military companies under arms were waiting to receive him on the arrival of the Vallejo boat. These military companies were followed in the line of march up Market street, to the W.P.O. head-quarters, by five to six . thousand men, walking four abreast. Treble that number lined the streets in full sym pathy with the processionists. Little noise was made. They ail felt that the crisis had come, and that upon the decision of the haggard little man in navy-blue suit, travelstained and the worse for wear, depended the fate of San Francisco. They wanted only the word to " go " to rush to the city prison, and despite the police, tear it down and destroy the lives of the reckless and unscrupulous man who had hounded them down and added attempted assassination to truculent abuse and mendacity.

I described Denis Kearney in a former letter, and I am glad I did, because events have so far borne out my estimate of his character. It has been the fashion to decry this remarkable man, and I have read references to him ia New Zealand and Australian papers which should cause the writers to blush for their disgusting lying. He may be rude of speech upon occasion, and he calls a spade " a Bpade " without doubt, but I heard him to-day deliver one of the ablest platform speeches it has ever been my fortune to listen to, or for the matter of that, which I ever read, having to the end in view. He spoke to- an_ audience of ton to twelve thousand men, with a large sprinkling of women, and held them in perfect command .for at least an hour. Hi 3 voice ia clear, full, and sonorous. His style is easy and his delivery good. His sentences were well rounded, and hia points were made with an incisiveneßß and completeness of demonstration which left nothing to be desired. He is a born orator, rapidly developing through constant practice into one of the very foremost pouplar speakers in America. But I anticipate. I had only arrived at Saturday night, aud herd I am speaking of Sunday, because the impression of what occurred to-day is freshest upon my mind. Lst me ask you to fancy yourself in that magnificent thoroughfare, Market Btreet, San Francisco, looking at that crowd of angry men, every ono armed with revolver or rifle, marching ailently under the glare of the gaslights and the gazo of their fellows. No police interference now. Two years ago they would have been charged and clubbed by our star-decorated police, to provoke a riot and give a pretext for shooting them down in cold blood, because they had ventured to say that a reform in the city government was needed. Less than two years ago William F. Ooleman, the chief of the Old Vigilantes, renewed that secret society, usurped the functions of the Mayor and Chief of Police, and actually issued orders to the military. His armed bands swept the streets, destroying property and life, to intimidate the men. who asked that of&oial stealing and corruption should cenßCi At that time, martial law was about

to be proclaimed, and the city delivered over to the drunken crew in the pay of the " Committee of Public Safety." Then police officers went in force and breke up orderly meetings within doors, using their clubs to provoke reprisals. Kearney and other loaders lay in prison, while the corrupt tool of the moneyed ring, Judge Londerback, piled up 30.000d01s bail upon them in open, defiance of the Constitution of the United States. Times have changed sinoe that infamous reign of terror. ' The working men vindicated themselves by their moderation, they strengthened themselves by organisation, they elected their delegates to the Constitutional Convention, aud they carried the new Constitution. And now they^ are a power in the State and nation, and in ten days will east a vote which should hurl the corruptionists from power, and establish law and order instead. But even yet they are forced to stand at bay. Their Btandardbearer in the city, Dr Kalloch, has been shot down by the leader of their politioal opponents ; and the police to the number of 300 or 400 stand sullenly under arms to defend the murderer at the City Hall, a few blocks away, while the militia are in their armouries, and posted at the prison to support the police.

It is a critical moment truly. The people are Btrong enough to do what they please ; but at what a sacrifice ! They would be environed in a belt of fire, and thieves and cutthroats would raven in blood, because they have the command of the Commonwealth. Denis Kearney walks right on, with bent head, till he reaches the head-quarters, near the Metropolitan Temple, where Kalloch lies at the point of death. Here the prooea. sion stopped a moment, when aB if swayed by a mighty impulse, •' To the Saadlot !" rose the hoarse shout from ten thousand throats, and the leader was swept on by the orowd to the now famous rostrum in f rontof the new City Hall. There, under the guns of those who sought their destruction, "the little drayman," say rather the great tribune of the people, rose, and in a few well-chosen words counselled moderation and patience. Dr Kallooh waa not dead ; but whether alive or dead, justice would be vindicated in De Young's case. At his advice the vast assemblage melted away, and by midnight the streets were almost deserted. Such is the influence of this remarkable man. A guard of 25 military volunteers in uniform, with fixed bayonets, surrounded Metropolitan Temple, where Kallooh lay wounded. Crowds remained all night, and the utmost solicitude was felt regarding his condition.

On Sunday, as I have already aaid, a vast audience assembled on the Sand Lot to hear Kearney's matured opinion upon the poli* tical situation. He demonstrated, past a doubt, that the assassination of Kallooh wag a political, and not a personal affair. His evidence was conclusive upon that point ; and indeed I tbink it will be demonstrated in Court. Having failed to combine with the Working Men's Party, and having failed to bribe Kalloch with 30,000 dols to retire from the contest, they proceeded to heap contumely upon him. They published what purported to be a biogragraphy of Kallooh which had a substratum of truth, but waa otherwise false. Not content with this, the day following, in what purported to be a telegram from Boston, they traced him from his twelfth year up to the present time, and presented him as the most licentious of mortals, guilty of unnatural depravity; and they dug up the bones of his father, who wai dead for 30 years, aad declared that he had been compelled to flee from from Maine to California owing to his immorality with females of his congregation, and that his son, Dr X., who succeeded him, continued his amours. Drunkenness, forgery, fraud, and rascality of all kinds were charged against the working men's candidate for Mayor, who announced that in consequence of the attack upon his father's character, he would review the De Youngs' family history at Metropolitan Temple, on Friday night, which he did 12 hours before the attempt at assassination. Thousands attended. After the Temple meeting closed, he addressed thousands who had waited outside, and justified himself by the attack upon his honoured father's memory in calling them the "bastard progeny o f a } born in the Blums, and nut eed in the laps of prostitutes." This remark, although gross, was not worse than the charges which the De Youngs repeatedly published regarding Kalloch, and was the ostensible cause of the attempted assassination. The real motive, it is publicly charged, was political. Charles De Young, it is said, having fought for the new Constitution in his paper and succeeded, thought he could run the State with the aid of corrupt officials, and he set about plotting in that direction. The result was the formation of the new Constitution Party, or " Honourable Bilks," aB Kearney christened them. De Young, aB park of the programme, endeavoured to capture Kearney, but failed. He then sought to cause dissension in the party ; this failed also. Thereupon he began vilifying and abusing Kearney, and charged him in his newspaper with corrupt and dishonest practices. Every man of prominence in the party was similarly treated ; and Perkins, the Republican nominee for Governor, although a very worthy gentleman, has been persistently blackened for weeks. The possession of the oity government was essential to their political existence, and when neither money nor abuse could break down Kallooh a strength with the people, it is genera ly believed that the conspirators resolved tokill him, in the hope that a riotwould be created, during which all the popular leaders would be shot or incarcerated, and the murderer run safely out of the country till the storm should blow over. From facts which have been published, I am inclined to believe that this, at least, was contemplated, and it would have succeeded, but for two things — first, De Young's driver did not get off quickly enough from the scene of the tragedy ; second, the working men resolved to let the law take ita course. Nay more, they resolved to make it take its course, which is quite a different thing. The working men's executive demanded that a guard of ten of their party be sworn in as special constables to watch, that De Young should not be smuggled away by the authorities— a thing which they are quite capable of doing. No man or woman's character i 3 safe while the Chronlole exists under present oontrol. It is beyond ex. premion the vileirt yet the moat dangerouu

publication In the United States; It haß apparently run ita course, however. The Sunday meeting dispersed in the most orderly manner, and in a few minutes the city resumed its wonted appearance. There was this significant fact, however, to note : the death of De Young was decreed. Every outlet i« watched, and if he escapes it will be a miracle. Kalloch's son, a young clergyman from Sonora, addressed the meeting to-day, and the sight was most astounding. His reception was beyond description. He spoke well, repeated the opprobrious epithets to the De Younga, and vowed to kill them if the law was perverted in their case. Daring the meeting telegrams were received from New York and elsewhere, counselling moderation and patience, also promising support and sympathy. The nation is aroused. The political consequences of the California election are well known to the country at large. The labour question here will be settled upon a baßis which will guide other States. The Chinese question will be settled one 9 for all. A hook will be placed in the noao of oorperate monopolies, who have heretofore proved themselves above all law, corrupting. y legislatures and buying judges. Land monoDoly and unequal taxation will receive a fatal blow, and a corrupt judiciary become impossible -that is, if the W.P.C. carry their ticket. A riot or outbreak woulci result in the defeat of that ticket, and throw the Presidential election into the hands of corrupt rings. Hence the excitement all over Amerioa is intense. Admiration of the noble oonduct of the Sand Lot party will certainly take the place of persistent detraction.