[wardaddy]

During the Civil War, when the issues of right and wrong were clear

Yep, lots of clarity about the war in Manhattan for instance...

[SoCalPol]

*lots of clarity about the war in Manhattan for instance*

Most of those who took part in the riots were new to America and mosty from Ireland.

They did not have the American backbone and pride to fight for saving the Union.

I Had ancestors who fought in the Union Army in the Civil War
also had several great great and 3rd great grandfathers living in New York City at that time.