The Riot and the 'Queen City'

A feeling of prejudice and hostility against the Chinese residents of our city culminated on the 7th and 8th days of February last in the assembling of a tumultuous mob whose design was to expel all the Chinese from the city. It is unnecessary for me to say to you, who are conversant with the facts, that this mob was not composed of the best citizens of Seattle, nor largely of American citizens. A contrast between the larger portion of the mob and the Chinese whom they sought to deprive of rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States would show that in point of intelligence, honesty, morality, and regard for the laws, the Chinese stood pre-eminently above the mob. It is proper that it should be stated that a large number of those composing the mob were not and never had been residents of this city. The vicious elements from several neighboring towns were called here by their confederates living in this city to assist them in placing a foul blot upon the fair name of our beautiful city. The intelligent, law-abiding citizens of Seattle were equal to the emergency. At first taken by surprise, they soon rallied, and by the heroic bravery and undaunted firmness of the Home Guards, a serious riot, threatening at one time destruction of life and property, was prevented with, fortunately, the loss of only one life. The lesson was also taught to the violators of the law that the loyal citizens of Seattle had the power and that they regarded it to be their duty to crush out mob violence, even to the taking of human life, if it were necessary.