The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-29


even in the greatest excitement of party
against party, one portion of the populace
rising against those who differ from them
in their opinions of public men and mea-
sures. In philosophical sense, they may
be termed nlorGL ones, for the exciting
cause is generally found to be some imagi-
or upon the honest but ignorant prejudices
of the community. There is much truth in
the remark of Bishop Porteus, that the
mob may sometimes Mink right, but they
always act wrong. Either the supposed
incilicency Of the laws, or an impatient
unwIlingness TO await their slow decision,
rouses the multitude into determination
to punish the offenders at once, and upon
this rash resolve, they madly wreak their
upon any one whom they fancy TO be in
the least degree connected with him. In
turiated by their passions. they rush on
ward to the work Of destruction, regardless
alike Of law, Of justc', of reason, and of
humanity. AS in the first taste of blood,
by the lions cub, every drop that it takes
makes it thirst for more, so it is with the
mo s nsatiate wrath, if left to itself, it
ntve can be glutted-it never says lit is
enough until every thing has become
prey to its vindictive spirit.
The rapdity with which this tendency
to riots has spread through our country,
and their frequent recurrence here, there,
and every where in our land is owing, in
a great deg ae, to the encouragement given
to them b. the press, and by public opinion.
The light and often commendatory notice
given of Ju lgo Lynch's proceedings, when
his sapient Judgeship happened to punish
rightly, according to the opinion of the wri-
ter or speaker, has produced incalculable
mischief through our widespread commu-
nifty. With these short-sighted individu-
ais the end justifes, and they thoughtlessly
cast these fre.brand opinions about, say
ing. Are we not in sport!' But let such
beware of this dangerous trllng, or they
III ~ Gcnkindle a confagration, which will
~ower of man to arrest,
aad whose Hames may gohetv~>, -...o.l
until it has involved our prosperity, our
liberty, and our government, in one vast
suonIiering ruin.
However different may have been the ex-
citing causes Of these tumuts among the
people, yet the characteristics of a mob,
when once reused into action, will ever be
found similar. Take those Of any age, and
Of any country, and we trace in their pro-
ceedngs the same distinctive features
The history of one is in this respect the
history of all, for its subject is human ma
ture. 1t is the wild misrule of the fiercest
passions of the multitude gathered into
fearful combination, and infuriated to in
sanity. They are for the time as incapa-
bic Of exercising reason or judgment, as
band of manacs; and it is this mental and
moral arrangement that invests them with
power so appalling. And it is also ow-
ing to this, that sound-judging legislators
and humane magistrates have been forced
to acknowledge, that nothing but the strong
arm Of power will be Of any avail at such
crisis, and that in extreme cases, the seve-
rest measures are often the most merciful.
Like drunkards when raging in 'delirium
tremons,' they are not in fit state to be
counseled or reasoned with, and their acts
of outrage have to be checked by force.
Although public safety, and the necessity
of preserving order, render strict procedures
needlul, yet there is not patriot or phi
anthropist whose heart does not bleed for
the poor misguided populace, when thus
excited to deeds of violence.-The general
good requires the punishment of the actors,
but the responsibility of their crimes hangs
heavily upon their instigators. Sacred as
well as prolane history points to these lead
ers as the greatest criminals. The desire
for the crucifxion of the Saviour sprung
not spontaneously from the multitude, for