The Penang Rtiots of 1863

PINANG. 一 CHINESE RIOTS. From the Pinang Argus, March 19. The prompt measures of the authorities in swear-ing in a number of Special Constables indifferently from the ranks of the Tua-peh-kong and Hoseng Societies, and in keeping them hard at work, has we are glad to say prevented a repetition of the disgraceful riots we had to notice last week. In the meantime arbitrators have adjudicated in Chinese fashion on the grounds of quarrel between the two parties and are now busy, acting under legal advice, in drawing up an agreement, binding the headmen on each side in heavy penalties in ease of any future rows. As a set off however to this promising state of things, the ill-feeling between the two Hoeys continues strong as ever. Cowardly assaults and robberies are daily occurring and the scenes of violence which have ben checked in our streets, are being enacted over again in the harbour. In-dependent of the usual fighting on occasions like the present among the sampan-men, the crews of several of the junks have been making attacks and reprisals on one another, and a vessels bound to Lahroot [Larut] with some 24 passengers is said to have been boarded at right by a party of a Tua-peh-kong men and looted of every thing. In some cases fire-arms have been used and several wounded men been sent on shore. One poor fellow died yesterday in hospital from a gunshot wound in his belly, and an open verdict of wilful murder has been returned by the Coroner's jury. In the presence of facts like these so constantly brought to notice on the recurrence of Hoey disturbances the most serious feature of all is the indifference of the public at large, and the bitter absence hitherto of any action on their part either to mark their disapprobation of illegal societies or to call on Government to adopt strict measures for their suppression. The only explanation of this apathy is selfish in the extreine. It may be quite true that these rows are seldom matters of serious inconvenience to the European community. It is also more than probable that any outspoken protests or active proceedings against the Hoeys, would be resented by the Chinese and the popularity of our merchants endangered. But if our leading men hang back and refuse their moral support to the Government, in abating these nuisances, which throw a discredit on the administration of law and order, they incur a heavy responsibility. We will even go further, and unhesitatingly charge many of them with directly fostering and encouraging these disorders. For proof we point to the riots in 1857 when Pinang was in a state of seige, trade at a stand-still, and the entire Chinese population arranged against the Government. What, we ask, was the course pursued by the public? Was it a manly, vigorous, uncompromising line of action? Were meetings called to express indignation against the rioters? Were the headmen of the Hoeys treated will the rigour due to their turbulence? Were the authorities called on to suppress the power of these societies with a high hand? Or did not the disturbers of the peace of the Settlement, meet with ready champions and apologists from the very ranks of the European society? For our part, we heard of nothing from this quarter but the wrongs of the Chinese. Popular indignation worked itself off in a streain of abuse against the Police, and the very men who the day before defied, with arms in their hands, all law and order, were invited to come forward and supply a Com-mittee of their own avowed partisans, with a de-tailed account of all their fancied grievances; which, in a moment of weakness, the local authorities endorsed for the favourable consideration of the Supreme Government. This temporising line of conduct, coupled with the eager championship of their advocates, has rendered the Chinese com-munity in Pinang intolerably insolent and lawless, while the subsequent culpable indifference of the community at large, has given full swing to professedly illegal societies, without eliciting a re-monstrance from any quarter. In Singapore it is very different. The public there is more independent than in Pinang, and, with not half the provocation to action, the lead-ing men of every class have spoken out from time to time, denouncing the pretensions of the Hoeys as a social evil of the greatest magnitude. On the slightest disturbances, indignation meetings have been held. Grand-Juries have made their presentments, and the press has teemed with protests. A good healthy spirit like this is sadly wanted in our society, and while deploring its absence, we look altogether to the local Government as bound to do something to re-establish their prestige, and to show that the law is strong enough to effectual-ly punish, not only those caught committing overt acts, but also to reach the ringleaders. We do not ourselves advocate at present the introduction of any fresh legislation against the Hoeys, but we think that the reins of Government might be drawn considerably tighter; and that the present riots have afforded good grounds for the withdrawal of many indulgences at present actually claimed as their right by these societies, and for the absolute refusal of permits for any kind of Hoey demonstration. Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 2 April 1863, Page 3.