Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-13
Tbe constitutional aglbtg.
Tuesday EUent,,S. .9l,riI 10.

do not doubt that it will be pleasurably, and crate.
fully received by this Community. Nor have we
any doubt that it will command the appreciation of
ail the Just and good, in the Northern Communi-
ties. That those Communities wish the abolition
OF Slavery, for the sake of both slave and MASTER
epre'umc to be certainly true; and we most earn.
esty lnculcato, that the best help they afford
~ to do nothing; if possible, to say nothing; to
leave the people of the South, to the dictates of
their own reflections, tho result of their own ex-
periencc, and to their exertions. Jealousy of
Northern interference, exists at This moment
among tho most formidable causes which impedes
the march of just and enlightened policy 1T the
south. Refuse to encourage crack-braincd enthu-
siasts---or misohicvous fanatics-put down such
silly and reckless blockheads as Garrison and
Nalker-give us earnest of fraternity, by punish
ing with the utmost severity, the incendiaries who
threaten our peace and livcs-and our brethren of
the North, will no longer embarass a cause to
which as Patriots and Republicans, they must wish
well.
From the Boston Courier of April H.
iNcENDIARY PUDLIcATroNs.--The following ex
tract from charge ut the opening ofthe Mum.
cipal Court of the city of Boston, in March, 1892
is published with the consent of Judge Tbach at
the request of the Grand Jury to whom it was adj
dressed.
Gentlemen: To one other subject, of a general
character, connected with our domestic peace and
bearing upon our pc itcal relations, will ask a
moments attention. Composed that society is,
TO which we owe allegiance, of numerous classes
each engaged In ITS own proper pursuit; experience
shows, that we depend for happiness, in a great
measure, on every one keeping in his own place
aud minding his own business To attempt to con.
found the elements of society, is the work of an i'm
ccndiary. The errors and impcr fections of the
political system defects in its laws and efforts for
Its Improvement are proper subjects for grave and
decent discussion. But society must not suffer the
passions of men to be it's Legislators. If defects
exist in the political system, the wisdom Of the sa.
ges OF the state ought to be put in requisiton to
effect their amendment. In other hands, an I'M
skIlful remedy will be apt to increase the disease.
In this Commonwealth, the great principle of e.
quality among the citizens exists legally and practi
cally. But we arc one of several states united un-
der a national bond. If individuals, in private
life, must use their liberty not to do wrong
to others, surely each state, in the exercise and
enjoyment of it's political rights, is bound to re-
spect those oil every other state in the union and
to do nothing, and to suffer nothing to be done
by its citizens, to their prejudice. While we ex.
Pect this from their justice, we, our part, are
bound by the golden rule to mctc them the same
measure.
We know that slavery exists in many of those
states-unhappily entailed upon them by their an
cestors while they Colonies of Great Bri.
tain Their eminent citizens and statesmen, percei-
wing with just alarm the growing evil, in all its
magnitude, have begun TO consult for its removal
1t cannot be proper or lawful for those, who are
happily free from this great calamity, to do anv
thing to add to its difficulty. We ought rather
as brethren OF the family, and bound to cult
vate the ties OF brotherhood, to aid them with our
wisdom and benevolencc and to encourage them
10 complete the great work Put whilst it is re-
collected that this evil has been rivctted upon
their society by a course of ages, it must not be
forgotten, that it will require much time to effect
its removal. Violence MAY greatly retard it, but
cannot expedite that desirable event.
New, Gentlemen, it is undoubtedly q misde.
meanor, and indictable such at common law
Tor one to attempt to pursuade another to com
init murder, robbery, perjury, or any other crime
whether such persuasion be verbal or written: and
whether the offence be pcrpetrated in consequences
OF such persuasion or not. So il is misdeamea-
nor to attempt to commit any crime, where the
unlawful intent is manifested by an overt act
which indicates such intent. 1t is not material
whether the crime is to be perpetrated here, or in
some other place 1t is sufficient, if it be shown
that the unlawful intent existed here and that the
deed which ma nifested that intent was done in
this country. To publish paper here with tho
intent to send it to another State to persuade one
or more persons there to commit murder or trea-
son, the law regards as libel of peculiar atroci-
~, and no supposed freedom ofthe press will screen
the author or publisher from the penal consc.
qucnces of the deed.
In that country from which we drew our princi-
pies of Jurisprudence, it is laid down by the high
est judicial authority, that every publication which
thcr by causing irritation in the minds of the peo
pie, that may induce them to commit a breach OF
the public peace, or whether it be public and
spccihc, extending to the morals. the religion, OF
maglstracy OF the country-is a libel ANY publ
cation which tends to degrade, rcvc and defamc
persons in considerable situations of power and
dignity in foreign countries, is taken to be, and
treated as libel and particularly where it has a
tendency to interrupt the pacific relations between
the two countries. If the publication contains q
plain and manifest Indictment and persuasion adj
dressed to others, to assassinate and DESTROY the
persons of such magistrates, as the tendency is &c
interrupt the harmony of the two countries, the
libel assumes a still more criminal intention.
Every good citizen must, think, WISH that har
mony may subsist between us and the citizens OF
all the other States But how is the Union long
to be preserved, If those who enjoy its benefits
cherish towards each other mutual hatred? II
publications which have direct tendency to cx
cite the slave population of other States to rise ND
on their masters, and TO involve their families and
property III a common destruction, are here pub
hshed and circulated freely, may not the citizens
of those States well imagine, that such publ;c,
tions authorised by our Iaws7 Ifsucb puhI;a
tions were justified and encouraged here il ,vouIo
tend to ALLEVIATE from each other the minds those
whose best political happiness and safety consist
IN preserving, in its full strength, the bond of The
Union.
Believing that the laws of this Commonwealth
are not liable TO this reProach, deem it to be my
duty TO express to you, at this time, my opinion
that to publish books, pamphlets or newspapers
designed TO be circulated here and in other States
OF the Unlon and having direct and necessary
tendency to excite in the minds four own citizens
deadly hatred and hostility against their brethren
oI other states, and to stimulate the slave popula-
ton there to rise against their masters and to Of
1cct by fire and sword their emancipation is an Of
renee against the peace of this Commonwealth
ana Jhat II may be prosecuted as misdcmcanor at