Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-07

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given themselves up to such culpable habits.
Devoted to business, requiring the perfect
exercise Of the mental faculties-how many
Just entering on the career ofliie-how many
declining Into the vale Of years, sacrificed
themselves TO these shameful exeesses. Yet
we find magistrates and juries hesi,ating to
expose crimes Of The blackest dye to eternal
contempt and infamy, TO the vengeance Of
the law.
AS a Louisianian parent, I reflect with ter
ror that our beloved children, reared to be-
come one day honorable and useful citizens,
may be the victims Of these votares OF vice
and licentiousncss. My courage quails when
] contemplate the perls which environ the
offspring of every inhabtant of the country.
You will pardon an emotion belonging rather
to father than magistrate and a citizen,
when you remember that after having spent
an entire existence in inculcating on the
youthful hearts of our children the virtues
which will endear them to their fellow men-
the knife ofan assassin or the ball of duelist
may cut them short in n career of usefulness
aud enterprise. This must not be. The
Legislature must take cognizance Of these
dreadful evils. To that body belong the
proper pTOVlsfOHS IOT tHcIT ehtSTUllndtlOU.-
Without some powerful and certain remedy
our streets will become butcheries, overflow
ing with the blood of our citizens. 1t is time
that a state Of things shocking TO humanity
should cease, and it is your duty to take the
steps necessary to the eradication ofthe evil"
A petition, with the name of the Rev.
DR.. Charming at its head, was last week
presented to the Mayor and Aldermen
of Boston, for the use Of Faneuil Hall,
for the purpose Of holding public meet
ing, to notice in suitable manner, the
recent murder in the City Of Alton
The prayer Of the petition having been
refused, DR.. C. has published the follow
ing communication, explaining to the
public the views with which he applied
Tor the proposed meeting. 1t will be
perused with interest by many Of our
readers.
TO THE CITIZENS OF BOSTON.
feel that | owe it to my fellow citi-
zens and myself, to offer some remarks
on the proceedings Of the Board Of AL
dermen, in relation 10 petition presented
to them for the use of Faneuil Hall, in
order that there might be an expression
Of public sentiment in regard to the late
lerocious assault on the liberty Of the
press at Alton. Had l for moment
imagined that by placing rny name at the
head Of this petition, was to bring my
self before the public as have done, l
should have been solicitous to avoid the
distinction. But the past cannot be re-
called; and having performed this act
from conviction Of duty, cannot re-
gret it. My only desire is, tina, its true
character may be understood by my lel-
low citizens no will not, believe, when
they know the truth, give the sanction
of their appreciation TO the proceedings
Of the government.
The petition was as follows.
Il "BosToN, Nov. 81, 1887.
I "To the Mayor and aldermen Of the City
| Of Boston:
Il 1.-The undersi gned citizens Of Boston, request
g that the use Of Faneuii Hall may be granted to
them on Monday evening, Dec 4th, for the
purpose OF holding public meeting 10 notice
- In a suitable manner the recent murder in the
city Of Alton, Of native OF New England and
=" citizen OF the free State Of Illinois, who fell in
" defence of tho freedom Of the press"
This petition was rejected by the
Board of Aldermen, on the ground, that
the resolutions, which might be passed
at the proposed meeting, would not ex-
press the public opinion of the city, and
would even create disgrace(ul confu
!, sion in Faneuil Hall, or in other words
would excite mob need not say tc
those who know me, that am inca apable
OF proposing a measure, which shoult
seem to me fitted to expose the city t.
tumult The truth is, that the possibilt,
of such an occurrence did not enter m,
thoughts. The object of the propose,
meeting was so obvious, so unex ce ption
able, SO righteous, and had such claim
L:. every friend Of order and liberty, tha
l did not pause IA moment when l wa.
requested to sign the petition. l shoult
have pronounced it impossible, that {
man OF common sense and common hon
esty could view and pass over the trage
dy Of Alton, as matter touching merel,
the interests Of one or another party
To me it had character of its own
which stood out in terrible relief. saw
in 1t systematic, deliberate murder, 70
the destruction of the freedom Of ih,
press. The petition was presented 70
one purpose and one only, namely, tha
the good people Of Boston might manifes
in the most solemn and impressive man
ner their deep abhorrence ofihe spirit q