Baltimore Know-Nothing riots of 1856
The Know Nothing Party gained traction in Baltimore as native-born residents disliked the growing immigrant population.
The partisans were involved in widespread violence at the polls and across Baltimore during municipal and national elections that year.
[6] Historian Jean H. Baker argues that sixty percent of the state population were Methodists who often associated Catholicism with stereotypes of immoral behavior among immigrants,.
[7] The party's central policies called for secularization of public schools, complete separation of church and state, freedom of speech, and regulating immigration.
[14] Baltimore was given the nickname "Mob-Town" because of a longer history of rioting and a poorly staffed police force that did little to stop the violence.
[15] Historian Jean H. Baker argues that violence regularly broke out in Baltimore on days when men did not have to work, and riots were very likely to break out during weekend activities such sporting events and festivals.
[8] September 12, 1856, on the celebration of Baltimore's founding, local Know-Nothing associated gangs the Blood Tubs, the Wampanoags, and the Rip Raps raided a tavern and fired shots.
Know-Nothings also sacked a tavern owned by Democrat Sam McElwee in the Centre Market area.
[20] Know-Nothings fled from the police towards Jones' Falls, ending in a fifteen-minute shootout on Holliday Street between the rival parties.
[21] Historian Tracy Matthew Melton argues that the widespread riots of the day signified the deadliest outburst of violence in Baltimore history at that point.
[22] The partisans involved were overwhelmingly well-known fighting men with deep connections to the street violence of the fire companies.
Naff was notorious in Baltimore for his history of conflict with the police, involvement in riots, assault charges, and his alleged connection to the murder of two men.
[26] Historian Tracy Matthew Melton argues that local street gangs' affiliation with the Know-Nothing or the Democratic parties allowed them to commit acts of violence without consequences.
Governor Thomas Ligon ordered George H. Steuart's militia of over 3,000 men because he felt that local authorities did not adequately respond to violence.
[30] Ligon was met with criticism by Mayor Swann, who argued that it was unconstitutional for the governor to order a militia without seeking permission first.
[31] Local officials ruled that Ligon did not have legal grounds to call a militia and did not provide enough evidence to support the need for one.
