Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-09-04
JNO. GRGDLEY,
THE OUTRAGE UPON THE FREEDOM
OF THE PRESS IN KENTUCKY.
Cor. Sec. V. S. U.


THE OUTRAGE UPON THE FREEDOM
OF THE PRESS IN KENTUCKY.
We give the following full account of this out
rage from the New York Tribune. The material
facts seem to be fairly stated, with all the mitiga-
ting circumstances, both on the part of Mr. Clay,
and the moo - for mob it was in the eye of the law,
however dgnied by the authority of ga public
meeting of respectable - law-Jreaiers. The
Louisville Ky Journal has spoken in manly way
against this outrage upon the rights of Mr.. Clay,
and upon the freedom of the press. Says that
Journal
"The suppression of the "1'rue American by
the people of Lexington and the surrounding coun-
try, and the manner in which it was effected, are
acts Of which we are compelled to disaprrove.-
We never will sanction the eXertion Of mob pow
or in any instance. Ours is country of laws
Freedom of speech and action are to be restrained
only by law. Whenever the safe exercise of these
privileges is made to depend upon the suiferancc
Of the populace, their value becomes insignificant
the majesty of the law degraded, and sooner or Ia.
ter RIGHTEOUSNESS will suppant sound morals. If,
on account of the absence of legal restriction an
individual chooses TO pursue a course of action an
noying to the community in which he dwells we
think 1t is better, temporarily to suffer the evil,
than to set thebad example Of taking its summary
punishment INTO hands entitled to no legal power of
restraint"
And again says the Journal
"That no blood was shed in the execution Of the
will of this meeting was without doubt owing to
the illness of Mr.. Clay, who was confined to his
bed by fever, and pronounced by his ply scians
in danger of losing his life. Had lie been in health,
we have no idea he would, INCREASINGLY, have suf-
ered his property to be removed without his con-
SENT and his attempt to protect it, would probably
have cost the lives Of many. Thus, by the inter
position of Providence only, is our State saved
from the disgrace of having blood split by the
hands of popular assembly"
We quote the concluding paragraph of the Jour-
nal, at length, and our readers will doubtless re-
joice to learn from it that there is still one pen at
least which will dare to discuss the question of sla-
very in Kentucky, to wit, the Journal itself,
slaunch Wing press, edited by keen and fearless
yankee named Prentis, who is known for the sharp
ness Of his vito every newspaper reader in Amer
lca:
This meeting set precedent which we hope
we may not live to see initiated here or elsewhere.
To exhibit the error committed, let us look for a
moment to the effect. In the free States, interest
ed denagogues will seize upon this transaction to
intllme the minds of the multitude against slave
holders. Political abolition will make capital from
this occurrence to swell the number of It's inlau-
aled supporters. We shall hear the right of dis
ccssion proclaimed and this affair held up as an
evidence of its suppression in Kentucky. We are
at no loss to determine the effect OF he disturbance
at Lexington upon the feeling in Kentucky. Few
will 90 farther than to disapprove, 80 do; few
will openly and violently denounce the Fayette peo-
pie under all the circumstances of the case; and
few will fully approve Of all that done. But
the rational and temperate discussion of ultimate
emancipation will not be checked even by this pop
ular outbreak. Many of the best minds of tho
State are engaged with the question, and they ,cW
express freely their opinions, and act freely upon
them. He must make up our minds to meet that
question, for no hunlan p0,Cer can Stop II. We
hope earnestly that the discussion will be conduct
ed every where temporarily, that every plan to rid
Kentucky Of slavery will be examined cautiously
and with judgment, that public opinion will be
fairly elected so as best to promote the public good.
We do not believe that Kentucky can yet have
reached that point at which men should be afraid
o speak, write aud publish touching the DISPOSE
ton Of our slave population. We have ever looked
forward to a day when Kentucky should hold with
in her boundary TO bondman, and we hope to live
TO see the hight of such day. If we have fallen
upon the times when the freedom of speech and of
the press should be sIackled lest servlle war en-
sue, the sooner we adopt measures TO remove an
evil which disturbs our peace, destroys confidence
in our security, and awakens a whole community
to arms, the better Tor ourselves, our children, aud
our Commouw cath. In this particular community
We know that there is considerable feeling on the
subject of gradual emancipation and desire TO
bring il prominently before the State among the
political questions deserving attention We expect
TO discuss it aud to admit to columns well-wrlt
ten communications upon it on both sides.
The scyerest and most just commentary upon
the conduct Of the "rospectabie," pLaceubie" and
"orderly" mobocrats of Lexington, may be found
in the fact that on the very night after tue outrage
upon Mr. Clay's press, the yagabonds of the city
carried out, in their 'say, the example Of their bet
tiers. To use the language of the Lexington In
quirer:
Brutal Outrage. After the pedceabie and orderly
termination on Monday last, OF the excitement and
difficulties growing ont of the removal Of the press
and types used in the printing of an Abolition pa
per in this city, the citizens began to congratulate
themselves upon the restoration OF peace and quiet
in the city, and the prospect Of its continuing so.
But they were doomed to disappointment, for on
Tuesday night our streets were the scenes Of sew
era most brutal and disgracelul ourages. a few
Of The choice spirits of the eli y,occupying position
in society not the most enyiabe, and not being salts
fed with the peaceable termination of Mondays
work, made attack, during the night, upon several
free and beat them in most cruel and nhu-
man manner, tarring and feathering one Of them on
the public square