Draft Riots Reading 3

The conclusion of the Draft Riots was brought about in part by the removal of the draft lottery from the city. With a new date for the reinstatement of the lottery a month or so away, the government, both state and federal levels, had time to prepare for another battle or to create a set up to make another successful riot impossible. When the draft commenced, "the federal government stationed ten thousand federal troops in the city" to ensure that another riot would either not occur or the attempt of one would become a suicidal mission. I am sure that the government would have received some hint or idea that a mob of protesters was forming the first time and have been able to send troops in to protect the city and quell the riots. It was apparent through the readings that there was little to no action at night, giving the government time to rally some federal troops together to protect the citizens. The mob was savage and out of control, but I think quick and objective actions could have spared some lives and subdued some of the savage chaos.

One concept I found interesting in these last readings compared to the previous days' reading of the riots was the attempt to integrate a religious aspect into the angry mob in hopes of preventing any more havoc. Although sickly, Archbishop John Hughes spoke to thousands of the rioters, primarily the Irish-Catholics, to create an atmosphere which was non violent. The mob had spent days chasing and killing people, burning buildings, looting houses, and turning into savage beasts. Police forces tried to help some, but the mob was too many to use much force against. Perhaps a religious approach would get the people to behave and act civil once more. In the daily paper announcing the proposed speak by Hughes, it read "If they have any respect for the episcopal authority, to dissolve their association with reckless men who have little regard for the Divine or human law." This I found most interesting because it is basically scolding the religious man for if he has any respect for his faith he will stop marching around with men who have seem to lost their morals. This statement would make people step back form their situation and really look at what they have been doing, and notice that they have been sinning and be convinced to stop the violence no matter the cause.

The question I wanted to propose was how were the people who were prosecuted chosen? There were so many people rioting and destroying lives and property that it must have been difficult to nail down everyone involved in murder, therefore I want to know how if the choosing of the prosecuted was deliberate or random just to satisfy some of the local Republicans.