The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-10-31
LYNCHING.

This incarnate demon of outrage, violence and
blood, still continues to disgrace our unhappy
country. 1t is only few weeks since humanity
was shocked by Il most atrocious and revolving
outrage, inflicted by those sungunary spirits of
barbarisnl, the Lynchers, on the person of Mr..
Saunders, of Madison county, in this State. These
enemies of the peace of society, of order, law,
and civilization, dragged this respectable planter
from the bosom of his family, and lIutilated hlm
in the most brutal Misunderstanding him most
nhumanly, besides cutting off his nose and ears,
and scarrifying his body TO the very ribs We
believe the subject ofths foul outrage still drags
out miserable eXistence-an object OF horror
and pity. Last week club Of Lynchers a
mounting to four or five individuals, as we have
been credibly informed, broke into the house of
MIR. Scott, of Wilkinson county, q respectable
member of the bar, forced him out and hung him
on the next tree. We have heard of numerous
minor outrages committed against the peace of
society, and the welfare and happiness of the
country; but we mention these as the most cnor-
nous that we have heard for some months
1t now becomes our painful duty, as conduc-
tors of free press to notice Il most disgmcefnl
outrage committed by the Lynchers OF Nicks-
burgh, on last Sunday, against the majesty Of the
laws, the honor of the country the prosperity
and happiness of the people. The victim OF
this cruel and ferocious spirit in this case, was II
Mr. Grace, formerly of the neighborhood of
Warrenton, Va. but for two years Il resident of
this city. He was detected in giving free papers
to slaves and brought to trial before Squire Max
ey. Unfortunately the wretch either through
the want of law or evidence. he could not be
punished, and he was set at liberty by the mag
israte. The City Marshal, seeing that few in
the crowd were disposed to lay violent hands on
the prisoner i'll the event of his escaping pun
lshment by law, resolved to accompany him to
his house. The Lynch mob still followed, and
the Marshall, finding the prisoner could only be
protected by hurryng him to Jail, endeavorng to
effect that object The Lyncherss however, pur-
sued the officer of the law dragged him from his
horse, bruised him, and conveyed the prisoner TO
the most convenient point of the city for carry
ing their blood thirsty designs into execution
We blush while we record the atrocous deed
in this city, containing near 5000 souls, in the
broad light of day, this aged wretch was stripped
and logged, we believe within hearing of the
lamentations and the shrieks of his afflicted wife
and children.
1t is not for this wretch that we woul awaken
public sympathy, or call down popular indigna-
ton against the internal code 10y which he was
illegally punished; no, no, we believe HIM to
have been guilty of numerous crimes, Tor which
the country, If they have not already, ought to
provide solitary confinement, if not the punish
ment of death. We believe him to have been
bad member of society; and we would put 9th
ers in the south on their guard if he should settle
in their neighborhood. He is said to be quite
gray, having light complexion, blue eyes, and is
about nifty years of age.
In the name of Heaven to what is our country
coming? When is the spirit of turbulence, out
rage and barbarisn to have am end ? Are we 10
dispense with all laws except those of the stron-
gest arm? If the people do not organize and
swear upon the altar of the living God 10 crush
the atrocious spirit of Lynchism-to uphold the
officers of justice-to sustain at all hazards the
ma esty of the aws-the rights and privileges of
each and every citizen, no matter how debased,
society must be reduced to the most loathsome
and our free institutions will become
n mi cLerV 81 n byn- word 81 raIrOoch the
civilized nations of the earth. Why should any
man or set of men undertake to tranple on the
laws of the country ? Upon what principle do
these enemies to the peace and happiness of So
ciety arrogate to themselves the right of dispen-
sing with the laws of the land at pleasure? Why
do they outrage the feelings of the community
by usurpng those sacred functions which belong