Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-12-14
ALTON MOB. FANIEUL HALL
MEETING.

MI EEIlNGs
! The Mayor and Common Council, of Bos-
ton, having granted the use Of FanieGl Hall
to DR.. Claiming and others (since the publ
cation of Dr. C's appeal to the publc) for the
proposes set forth in his communication, a
public meeting was held therein on Friday
last, and resolutions adopted, expressing the
sentiments Of those assembled in favor of the
freedom of the Press, and having reference
to the late violent proceedings in Alton
We subjoin the particulars from the Boston
Courier.
THE MEETING--Contrary to the expecta-
ton of many, and to the joy of every one who
has the honor Of the city at heart, went of,
without noise or trouble Of any kind. At the
hour appointed, DR.. Phelps called the meet
ing to order, and the Hon. Jonathan Phillips
was appointed Chairman. Mr.. Phillips read
the petition for the use of the hall, and briefly
stated The purposes of the meeting. &. w.
Phillips and John A. Bolles were chosen
Secretaries Prayer was offered by Rev. E.
4 NJ. p. Wells, after which the Rev. DR.. Chan.
ming addressed the meeting as follows:
H Mr.. Chairnan-My relation to this meet
ing not only authorizes, but requires me to
offer, at it commencement, some remarks on
the purpose for which we are now assembled.
1t is not, indeed, without reluctance, that
rise to speak, IN place, and under circum-
stances, to me so new and unusual but am
commanded to make this effort, by voice
which cannot disobey, by a sense OF what
owe to myself, to this community, and to the
cause Of freedom.
/ know that there are those, who say tha,
10 NAT nj hat chnn no
heard only in the holy temples Of religion
] ask, is there nothing holy here? Was there
nothing holy in the spirit of our fathers, when
in these walls they invoked the blessing Of
God on their struggles for freedom? Every
place may be made holy by holy deeds
Nothing, nothing, sir, should tempt me to
come here to mingle in the conflicts of party :.
But when great question Of humanity and
justice is discussed here, when number of
my fellow citizens meet here to lift up their
voices against violence and murder, and in
support of the laws and the press, feel that
my place is here.
\ rise simply to state the object of this
meeting. 1t has been misrepresented; do
not say Intentionally: do not come here to
charge any of my fellow citizens with unwor-
thy motives. But there has been misrep-
resentation. You have been told, that the
professed object of this meeting was not its
real one that it was called to serve the pur-
poses of party that it is an imposition.
grevc that this language has been used. 1t
shows how little faith man has in man, how
slow he is to uscribe pure purposes to his
brother, how prone to see by-ends and bad
ends in honorable undertakings. Sir, there
is such thing as purity of purpose. 1t is
! possible for man to desire reedom, not only
Z far hitpcnlc hnt or1nn Ia, for
is possible, for man to desire, that the laws
may guard not only his own possessions, but
! the rights of every human being. And when
laws and rights and freedom are trodden un-
der foot, not once, but again and again, and
with increasing fury, it is possible for man
sincerely to feel, that he ought to meet with
those Of like mind and bear testimony with
them against these atrocities. Sir, are not
here motives enough and of sufficient force
to bring men together, and to crowd tliis hall?
motives enough, and more than enough to
explain this meeting? And why then look
beyond thcsc-Wby look for others and base
ones?
N can say with confidence, sir, that this
meeting had a good origin. Call it unwise,
If you will but its purpose was pure, was
generous, and worthy of Christian freemen.
claim to know something Of its origin; for
believe no one had more to do with calling
it than myself. Soon after the recent tragc-
dy at Alton, was called upon and requested d
to deliver discourse on that sad event. For
various reasons | declined so to do said to
the friend who made the request, and said
it from my own mind, and without any hint
from another, that wished that the citizens
Of Boston would, in some public manner, ex-
press their adherence Of the lawless spirit,
which had prompted to this and kindred
deeds, and which had broken out here as well
as at distance. On the next day, a petition
was sent me, embodying the suggestion
which had made the evening before. lr
signing 1t, my great apprehension was, that
the absorption of our citizens in their private
+ affairs would make them Indifferent to the
subject, so that a meeting, sufficiently nu.
merous for the desired impression, might not
be obtained. The idea of opposition to it did
not enter my thoughts and up to this hour
find difficulty in comprehending, in making
real to myself, the opposition it has excited
| ] signed the petition with the full understand
ing, that the meeting should bear no relation
, to party, but should comprehend all citizens
, OF whatever sect or party, whose spirits had
!: been stirred, as mine was. by the fearful pro.
. gress Of law!ess force.
On me, then, sir, not little Of the respon
sibilty of Mis- meeting rests. owe it te
truth and honor to avow it !; and am ready
r to bear this responsibility. | have no mis-
n givings. have distinct console ntiousness
# that the part which act, becomes a man,
!. citizen, and Christian. am willing tha
!. the report Of what | am doing should g,
). through the length and breadth of the land
!. | am willing, it should cross the ocean,
4 care not how far, how wide it is known, that
'. at this moment of increasing peril from law