The Territorial Militia's Role in Seattle's Anti-Chinese Riots

The Union Herald, in an article regarding the necessity of proper provision for the maintenance of the National Guard, speaks of the Seattle militia in the following language: The mood and the value of a State militia has seldom been illustrated in so favorable a manner as in the late anti-Chinese trouble in Seattle. Although no regular provision is made for the organization of the Washington Territory militia, there are several excellent military organizations which have proved most valuable in the late riots. When the situation became serious and it was seen that the civil forces could not cope with it, Gov. Squire, who is a man of tact and courage as well as an able executive officer, at once declared martial law and employed the forces at his command to maintain order and support the dignity of the law. The companies of militia responded promptly to the call of the Governor, and the uprising against the Chinese, which had extended to the open and defiant violation of the laws of the United States, was promptly subdued by the military force of the citizens themselves. The territory has shown its appreciation of the value of its militia by the preparation of a Territorial militia law, under which an effective force can be organized.