Southern telegraph., 1838-06-13
THE LAW oF T[lE MOE.

command and not law is the rule OF action,
there may be, in extreme cases, an excuse
for mobs: even in slch cases and under
such governments, the inequality of mob
law seldom results in any good; on the con-
trary, it strengthens the oppression which
il is intended to weaken. The tyranny Of
mob law puts all other tyrannies in the
back ground during its necessarily short
lived duration, and, after the lightuings have
flashed, the darkness Of oppression is only
the more horrible.
In this country, where the people are
the source of all powersthe directors ct
all power, there cannot exist the slightest
excuse for mobs. No rejecting man, who
loves his country, values its liberties, and
wishes to perpetuate them, will sanction
mob under any circumstances. A mob is
proof of the weakness of Government,
Of the inefEiciency Of the Constitution and
laws TO protect the citizens. Ii affords to
the enemies Of freedom the argument that
the people are unfit to govern themselves;
that the constitution and laws, framed by
their own hands, are inadequate TO protect
their rights. Every man who engages in a
mob, is Internationally sapping the founda-
tons Of freedom, and Frustrating the rights
If man. He who cherishes The Blood
bought liberties % his country viii discoun-
tenance every attempt TO raise mob; will
aid in IFS suppression when raised, and will
do all in his power to bring TO justice those
who hayeyiolatcd the constitution, or tram
pied the laws under foot.
The prime movers Of mobs are, in most
cases, men who have Veuy slight claims to
the protection of the laws. In this country
there ought to be few Of this description;
but il seems that there are enough for occa-
sionai Displays The mass which compose
mobs is made up of the thoughless, who do
not take time to reflect upon the consequent
ces; who do not seem to realize how easy
il is to kindle fame, and how difficult to
arrest its progress The majority, of those
who constitute nobs are impelled, by hon
est indignation and ihoughiless impulse, to
take the law in their own hands, and with
draw its protection from others. Such
members of mob regret their partcipa-
ton, after the momentdry excitement has
passed. When mob is raised, no man OF
no property is secure. The mob may be
led TO wreak vengeance upon those who had
nothing TO do with the matter which Great
ed excitement; misrepresentatio and con.
ccrted cry through the crowd can lead a
mob any where, and against any body; foI
in mobs there is no way of asccrtaining the
honest man from the desperate. During
the reign of mob the families in the
neighborhood are IN state of terror; the
aged, the helpless, the nervous female, and
the Innocent children are 10 constant fear,
lest the fire may destroy the roofs which
cover them; lest their faith ers, brothers, OF
sons, may full victims to thefury Of mob
This terror extends to every home where
any Of the inmates are absent. BY the
laws Of this State il is made the interest o.
tevery citizen to suppress mobs; for all pro
periy destroyed must be paid for out of the
public funds, and must come from the peck
els Of the tax payers The destruction o
property is, however, the smallesl OF the
evils Of mob law.
| With the existing cause Of the late yjo
lation of the laws we have nothing to do
| We donot believe that immediate abolition
or amalgamation is practicable. Thos.
who do so believe SO have right TO express
their opinions, and will have that right unit
liberty of thought and liberty Of speech an,
1.-THE liberty Of the press are Frustrated il
this land of liberty. This right may b.
abused, and we think has been abused BY
1.-THE advocates Of abolition; but to correc
the abuse by violence is to realize the fabl'
of the farmer, whe burnt his barn in attemp
| ing to destroy the rats which infested it
It is better for the world TO tolerate thI
abuse than TO impair the liberty of though
| and the press. If reason be not able t
combat ard conquer error, we know Of az
means of establishing truth; fire is no ar.
gument. The only way to suppress the err
ror Of abolition doctrines is TO let them alone
or meet them with argument and truth
The moment we use violence tostop mans
mouth, we admit that he can say something
which is unanswerabbe. The resort to VIC
ilence invariably aids the cause it is mean
to injure.
4 We do not fear any thing that the aboli
ZIONIST may urge in defence of his views
if he speaks truth, we do not fear truth, i
he speaks error, reason will destroy il; i
he uses improper language, and disregardi
the feelings and decencies Of society, il viii
hurt his own cause only If he violates
the law, le. him be punished according Il
law. Ii lhe law is not sufficient, let Law
be enactod Violence . 4 FIRE will not an
swer any purpose but lnat Of adding mum
bers to the abolitioRistx. Those who are
covered by impulse win readily be iEduccC
to think that persecution is the weapon ant
they viii side with the prosecuted. The
peaceful AID rejecting citizen wall also be
Induced to side with the law. We have ns
fear Of the continuance Of mob law. I'hs
citizens will not tolerate it.
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