The False Alarm That Almost Set Seattle Afire
When an unfounded panic about an anti-Chinese uprising brought the Governor and the state militia to Seattle, a tense city collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
It is an old adage, and a true one, that 'it is an ill wind that blows nobody good.' The alarm that was spread over the wires to Governor Semple concerning Seattle, served one good purpose: it gave to the citizens of Seattle an opportunity to pay their respects to the Governor in person and to assure him that 'Seattle is all right.' Whatever may have been the reasons for any feeling of apprehension on the part of any official, matters on investigation showed conclusively that they were groundless. A careful investigation failed to disclose any feeling in favor of the expulsion of the Chinese. On the contrary, the general opinion is strongly against any such attempt. This feeling is particularly strong among the workingmen of Seattle and their representatives, who appreciate that obedience to law is the surest way to attain their prosperity. It is perfectly safe to say that there are not a dozen men in this city who would countenance any overt act in opposition to the constituted authorities. Seattle is not divided upon this question.
“I believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
In 1887, rumors of xenophobic violence triggered a massive, unnecessary military mobilization in downtown Seattle. Today, the city still grapples with how manufactured moral panics—often targeting vulnerable migrant communities—can be used to justify the over-policing of public space.
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