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What is a Riot!The word riot is derived from a Latin word riotOy signifying a brawl. In law it is a tumultuous disturbance of the peace by three or more persons, who have assembled together of their own authority for the purpose of assisting one another in the execution of some private enterprise, and in resisting any one who shall interfere with or oppose their proceedings; and after wards carry out that purpose in a violent aud turbulent manner.It is wholly immaterial whether the act intended♦is lawful or unlawful, for it is not in the act itself, but in the manner in which it is done, which creates the particular offence. Women may be punished as rioters, but children under fourteen years ofage cannot. In the trial of Lord George Gordon, the leader and instigator of the celebrated **N'» Popcrv Riots” in London, in 17S1, it was the unanimous opinion of the King’s Bench that an attempt by intimidation, and violence to force the repeal of a law, was a levying of war against the king. The laws for the punishment of riot are based upon the statute 1, George I., commonly culled the “riot act,” which made it a capital felony f«»r persons riotously assembled to the number of twelve or more, to continue so assembled for one hour after proclamation bj :i justice of the peace coLiiuirndingthem to disperse. Subsequent statutes made oilier specific offences felonious such as riotously demolishing any church, chapel, or other building, or any machinery or manufactory, or forcibly obstructing the export of corn. Principals in the second degree and accessories before tlie fact are also punishable aa felons. In the United States the statutory provisions respecting riots follow in a great measure those of England, but are milder in their punishment and more qualified in their application.— -Draft Regulations.—The Provost Marshall General has published a further series of regulations in respect to the draft; one of these provides that lia drafted man cannot pay commutation money or present a substitute after lie has reported himself to the Board of Enrollment for examination.” This is an arbitrrry rule. A man may believe that he is physically disqualified, and seek exemption on that ground; if he is declared qualified he is compelled to serve whether he can provide a substitute or not. On the other hand, men who are obviously disqualified, through fear of a capricious decision of the enrollment Board, may pay the exemption money, which the gov-ernmet has no right to take Irooi persons who are not liable to service. The government has been unfortunate in the selection of agents who, by prescribing arbitrary and unwise regulations, have heightened the popular discontent with theconscription.
Newspaper Details
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York, US
Tue, Jul 14, 1863
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
New Y.
NY, USA 01 Dec 2020
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