The herald., 1837-01-26


porter, no less parsonage than his Satanic Ma
jesty.
We have had our attention repeatedly called, and
for the last six months almost necessarily to the
mobs, riots, and vainous attacks on the freedom Of
the press, in Cincinnati Utica, ST. Louis, Philadel-
phia, New York, and places without number, in differ
ent parts of our land. Yea, we, ourself have been
most ruthlessly maltreated, and the liberty Of the
press has been most seriously violated in our own
humble person. We feel bound at this time when
the elements of strife are in commotlon all around
when hosts of vagabonds and rfians in our own city
stand ready at moments warning TO rule not over
this goodly metropolis-when danger invests every
citizen-to speak forth eur sentiments We feel
bound resist the devil and all his mps There is
striking and startling disposition manifested IN every
part of country to settle qaestlons OF right and
wrong by laying aside, STILL quiet and legal modes OF
adjustment and substtutngi their stead resort TO
unnatural violence. Such course of procedure IS
disgraceful in half civilized communities, but deserves
the scverest and most summary reprehenslon and
instant, decided and efficient suppression by those
who are entrusted with civil and military authority in
country 50 highly civilized as is our own. TAe
substitution of the principles Of might for the safe
guards of wholesome and judcious laws-the perse-
cuion Of individuals and bodies of men who may
have acted ndscreetly, by whipping arring and fea-
thering-the gross attacks made upon the conductors
of the public press-the destruction of the property of
individuals for opinions sakc-are well calculated If
not speedily checked and crushed and extrpated, to
sap the very foundation of liberties and rights.
For these can only be sustained and preserved by
that respect for, and due enacting and administering
of wise and righteous laws, without which our 60
vernment must fall and break TO pieces, in the ele-
mental strifes SO alarmingy prevalent.
We rejoice-mOst heartily rejolce-that there are
some few who determined to defend their rights
the freedom OF discussion and the unsued majesty
OF the press at all hazards Such men call forth feel
ings OF eminent qualification from those who love the
institutions which our fathers have transmitted us.
But where oh where our civil rulers in the
mean time? Why, they are in the regions of popu-
larity, torpor and neficiency-yea with the devil.
Ii mob is assembled, whether large or small in our
villages, towns and cities--the riot act should not
only be read and mere, most abomnable and pre-
posterous display of military force be mado-but if
the rioters do not disperse the instant, cannon
loaded with grape shotor some other eff ctual weapon
OF destruction, should be placed in suitable position,
and most fearlessly and unhesatingly discharged by
the proper authority into the violent and ungedy
multitude Although this measure would cause the
destruction of many lives, yet two instances of
the kind, would, we humbly opine, most effectuay
put down these mobs-these embodied personihca-
ton of the devil-going i" to and fro, seeking whom
he may devour."
What then is the value of few lives, when placed
in comparison with the complicated woes engcndered
by mobism?
Shame! lasting and undyng shame! on those
municipal and civil and military officers who for fear
Of losing portion Of their popuarty--or from baby
like fright and tmidi,y-or from sldeing with the
principle of furnishing obnoxious persons by brutal
violence-or from variety of mean and dastardly
motives neglect those efiecua means placed in their
hands by the law, and suffer mobs to blackguard,
and rob, and beat and commit gross personal visence
on editorsto stop freedom of opinion and discussion
and TO rule unchecked and unpunlshed, riot and de-
vastnon Ter the land to the destruction of the pro-
pery the lives and the dearest rights and interests of
man. We do not by any means coincide with those
who affect believe that the spirit Of mobism will
die away Of it. accord IL is too deeply infused
into The souls OF unpnncipled multudes-it has been
permitted to march on undisturbed for too great
length of time with giant strides, and rifled with as
matter of small msment-to suffer the delusion to
take possession OF the minds of reasonable men, that
il will die away of itself. No! IL is now-at this
very time-stalkng with brazen front through our
land and nothing is too high elevated nothing too
solemn or sacred--nothing too dear or honored-yea,
not even lovely woman in all her helplessness, which
is not ready and willing TO insult inure, and de-
stroy. We ourself call upon you--for we have a
right, being one Of the sovereign people-yo Mayor
and Common Councilmen Of New York and all our
cities upon you ye Presidents, Trustees and Sc
lectmen of our towns and villages upon you, ye
high and ruling functionares throughout the Union
10 be prepared with efficient instruments Of death
for you arc liable to mobs at any time-to issue your
commands to "dsperse," and if they are not instant
ly obeyed, to-Fire! We urge you by your respect
and love for your individual rights and interests
10 Fire We beseech you by your solemn duties and
high responsibilities to your fellow men, o-Fne!- =
We entrea, you by your bounden obligations 10 pro-
tcc and sustain the blessed right Of free discussion
which is in alarming jeopardy, ts-Fire! We implore
YOU by the design for which civilized society was in.
sti,ued 10 protect the weak and feeble members from
the combined forces Of the strong, without which
protection civilization but another name for barbar-
ism, and our institutions a farce to-Fire! We beg
YOU by every commanding motive which can nnu-
once reasonable and judcious mnds-by Heavens
first aw-the dearest and hohest interests Of earth
by the unapprecable value Of the American govern