Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-11
For he Herald.

gress during the present session, there is none
more calculated to awaken and arouse the
mind of every true lover Of his Country, than
the one which recently occurred in the Senate
of the United States on leave being asked,
agreeably to previous notice, by Mr.. Hale of
New Hampshire, to bring in bill for the pro-
lection of property in the District of Columbia
making any city, town, or corporate place,
liable for injuries done by mobs. In introduc-
ing the bill, Mr. Hale prefaced it with the fol-
lowing remarks
" i wish to make a single remark, in order
to call the attention of the Senate to the ncces-
sity of adopting the Legislation proposed by
this bill. The bill itself is nearly an abstract
OF a similar law now in force in the adjoining
State of Maryland, and also in many other
States of the Union. The necessity for the
passage of the bill will be apparent to the SEN
ate, from facts which are probably notorious 10
every member of the body. Within the pres
ent week, large and riotous assemblages of the
people have taken place in the District, and
have not only threatened to carry into execu-
ton schemes utterly subversve to all law, with
respect to the rights of property, but have ac-
ter having been addressed, upheld and counte-
nanced by men OF station in society, whose
character might have led us to suppose that
they would have taken different course, and
given wiser councils to those whom they ad-
dressed. II seems TO me, then, that we have
approached time when the decision is TO be
made in this Capitol, whether mob-law or
Constitutional law, is to reign paramount
The bill which now propose TO introduce,
simply makes any city, town, or Incorporated
places within the District, liable for all inju-
ries done to property by riotous or tumultous
assemblages. Whether any farther legislation
on the part Of Congress will be necessary. time
will determine. But may be permitted to
say, that at the present moment, we present
singular spectacle TO the people of this country
and to the world. The votes of congratula-
tions which this Senate sent across the Allan
tic to the people Of France, on their deliver
ance from thraldom, have hardly ceased, when
the supremacy of mob-law and the destruction
of the Press, are threatened in this Capitol of
the Union. Without further remark, move
that this bill be referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary"
"A person would suppose that such a law
was just in itself, law which exists in many
States of the Union, but from the tenor of the
speeches made by gentlemen from some of the
Slave States, to propose such law in the
slave mart Of the District of Columbia the
Capital ofa Nation founded upon sslf-e,ident
truths that all men are created free and
equal" and have right to enjoy life, liber-
ty and the pursuit ofhappiness' is moral trea-
son. Mr.. FOote Of Mississippi, made a most
violent speech, in the course of which he said
g With whomsoever it originates, this move
ment, made directly or indirectly, within Con-
gress or out Of it, is simply anefarious attempt
to commit grand larceny upon the owners of
slaves in this district. He is not a gentleman
He would not be countcnancedby any respect
able person anywhere. He is amenable to
the law. GO farther, and dare say my senti-
ments will meet the appreciation of many even
who do not live in slave States, and maintain
that when the arm of the law is too short TO
reach a criminal, he may be Justly punished by
a sovereignty not known to law. Such pro-
ceedings have taken place, and there are cir
cumstances which not only nstigate, but justi-
fly such acts"
Mr.. Foote in continuation Of his abuse Of Mr..
Hale, said -
" Let him instead of remaining here in the
Senate of the United States. or instead of Sc
cretng himself in some dark corner of New
Hampshire, where he may possibly escape the
just Indignation of good men throughout this
Republc-let him visit the good State of
Mississippi in which have the honor to reside,
and no doubt he will be received with such
shouts of joy as have rarely marked the recep-
tion of any individual in this day and genera
tion. invite him there, and will tell him be-
fore hand, in all honesty, that he could not 20
ten miles into the interior before he would
grace one Of the taLea trees of the forest, ,cih
rope around has neck, with the appreciation of
every virtuous and patriotic citizen, and that If
necessary, should myself assist in the opera
hon."
If any man from the free States can read the
debates upon the subject and not hang his
head for very shame at the sentiments express
ed, he must be lost indeed to those nobler quail
tiles of the mind which prompted our forefath-
ers to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and
their sacred honor" for freedom of thought,
freedom Of speech, freedom of the press and
freedom from tyrany. If such sentiments are
to be the gov erning principles of our lives, our
boasted liberty will soon become "tinkling /"
brass-an empty sound" 1t well behooves
us to pause in our mad career before anarchy
reigns triumphant throughout our fair land
Can it be that the despotsms of Europe are
Fastening on towards liberty, while we are 60
ing back to the dark ages' Can it be that
Lynch law is to supercede that formed on JUS
tce and equity' Has it come to this, that a
man cannot express his honest sentiments with
out being threatened TO be hung upon our
highest trees, and that too by our highest law
makers Is il not line for Northern "dough
faces" to awake from their slumber and as
sert their rights' Or must we bow in due sub
mission TO our Southern task-masters and kiss
the hand raised to shed our blood lie, P,,i.
,ions be signed throughout the land and ilnme-
dately be sent to Congress praying TO have
the seat Of Government removed to a free
State where oil can have the liberty Of speech