coroners' juries stultified themselves, and a senseless outcry was made
generally. Twenty-two were killed and thirty wounded. It was a terrible
sacrifice to make for a paltry quarrel between two actors about whom
nobody cared; and in this light alone many viewed it, forgetting that when
the public peace is broken, it matters not how great or insignificant the
cause, it must be preserved; and if the police or military are called out
to do it, and are attacked, they must defend themselves, and uphold the
laws, or be false to their trust. The authorities have to do with riots,
not their causes; put them down, not deprecate their existence, or argue
their justice.

If public indignation had been turned against Forrest, it would have been
more sensible. He knew perfectly well that if his friends persisted in
their determination to attack Macready, the second night, blood would be
spilt. It was _his_ quarrel, and yet he deliberately kept his lips
closed. He neither begged them for their own sake, nor for his, or as good
citizens, to forbear, and let his rival alone; nor after it was known that
many had been killed, did he express a single word of regret; apparently
having no feeling but gratification, that even at such a fearful sacrifice
his hated rival had been driven from the field. But responsibility is not
so easily shaken off, and in real life as well as in tragedy, conscience
will force a man to cry:

"Out! damned blood spot! Out, I say!"

Macready left the country, and the excitement died away; but the painful
memories of this absurd yet deadly riot will remain till the present
generation has passed from the stage.

We cannot close this account more fitly than by relating an anecdote of