moment's notice.

But on the 1st of July the Court of Appeals decided the act to be
constitutional, and the disturbance ended. But of course, while this
strife was going on between the police, but little was done to arrest
disorder in the city. The lawless became emboldened, and in the evening
before the 4th of July a disturbance began, which for a time threatened
the most serious consequences.

DEAD-RABBITS' RIOT.

The origin of the term "Dead Rabbits," which became so well known this
year from being identified with a serious riot, is not certainly known. It
is said that an organization known as the "Roach Guards," called after a
liquor dealer by that name, became split into two factions, and in one of
their stormy meetings some one threw a dead rabbit into the room, and one
party suddenly proposed to assume the name.

These two factions became bitterly hostile to each other; and on the day
before the 4th of July came in collision, but finally separated without
doing much damage. They were mostly young men, some of them being mere
boys.

The next day, the fight was renewed at Nos. 40 and 42 Bowery Street, and
clubs, stones, and even pistols were freely used. The "Dead Rabbits" were
beaten and retired, yelling and firing revolvers in the air, and attacking
everybody that came in their way. Their uniform was a blue stripe on their
pantaloons, while that of the Roach Guards was a red stripe. People in the
neighborhood were frightened, and fastened their doors and windows. No
serious damage was done, however.