The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-20

AcquittaI OF captain Kynders-End of the
Astor Place Massacre Trials.


hearing thu charge of Judge Edmonds The
charge ltself is very weak and wlshy-washy
affair, disclosing very little talent knowledge of
aw. II probable that the jury received their i'm
pressons more from the clear manly, eloquent and
sound speech of John Van Buren,, than from the
charge of the Judge Nor do we think much of
the TRADE inflicted on the jury by Mr.. Whiting 1t
was composed principally OF all the vulgar abuse
that might have been found during the last few
years IN some OF the dlsreputable weekly papers,
concerning John Van Buren,, Edwin Forrest and
others, who have some little reputation IN the
world.
The acqulttal of Rynders, after the well laid and
concerted attempt which rad been made by the
weak and impotent city authorities TO convict him,
Is a great triumph, certainly, Of justice and right
over popular prejudice and political hate. He has
been very noted active loco.oco partisan for
many years past, by which he made himself very
obnoxious 20 the wing leaders and wing politicians.
The wing authorities of this city, by whose weak
ness, folly, and criminal lndeclslon the simple ex
pusion of an obnoxious player froT: the stage was
permitted TO grow into riot, and TO end IN
bloody massacre, have been endeavoring, ever
SINCE that deplorabe event took place, TO reach
Captain Rynders, 10y way of indicating their own
folly, covering up their own absurdity, or turning
attention from their own weakness. Even Judge
Edmonds himself, who sat upon this trial, had at
their request, conducted private investigations
sort of a special InluisItlon- after the
catastrophe, and possessed himself of all the facts,
could not, the trial, charge the jury in any other
way than what we see he has done-that is, en-
trey in favor OF the accused. Indeed the very
Indictment Of Captain Rynders was considered by
good lawyers great stretch of power; for If there
was matter on which to Indict him for MS con-
nection with that riot, there was ample reason TO
embrace in it Moses ii. Grinnel, and all those
concerned in issuing the card TO Macready, inviting
him to play in opposition TO public opinion.
But we do not, and never dad, believe that either
Captain Rynders, or the friends Of Mr.. Forrest, on
the one side, or Moses IL Grnnell, and the friends
Of Macresdy, on the other, were at all indctable
for the several COURSES which they pursued IN the
preliminaries Of that unfortunate affair. Both
ercised the rights OF American citizens IN declar-
ne their opinions, and supporting those opinions,
for their particular iavorites, within the limits OF
he law. Those who opposed Macready had
perfect right to hiss him from the stage when he
made himself obnoxious TO public opinion, by the
publications which issued from hun after his erri-
val in this country. Those who supported him had
as perfect right to go to the theatre, and endeavor
10 carry their support out, as the other side had
but neither, TO break the peace. The great error
was committed, and the crminalty commenced,
by the folly, sbsurdity, weakness and imbeclty of
the police and the city authorities, in permitting
the conflict between the friends of the two actors
to proceed 10 the extent which It did. When
Macr,ady was driven from the stage on the Mon
dyy night, there the matter should have rested
Mr.. Gnnnel and his friends may be excused for the
zeal O. their attachment TO eiriavorite, IN endsa-
yorIg to bring HIM forward, and in trying TO carry
him successfully through the struggle. But at tsis
point 1t should have been the particular policy OF
the Mayor and the police to take position, and to
stop all further ooniest between the TIVE parties or
III players.
TIE error committed on that occasion. and
which ultimately caused the deplorable waste OF
blood, was first exhibited by the police the first
ugh, Of the conflict, the Monday evening when
persons were permitted to throw missiles on the
tisle without being arrested The next error was
thst 81 the Mayor, in not shutting up the theatres
anj considering the question settled. 1t any in
Lctmcrt against ihcse instigi,ng or melting the
TO, had been properly found, IL should have been
found against the Mayor and police, for the want
OF ssgaoly, or want Of Judgment, or want Of firm
ness, IN the performance ct then public duties
But in order 10 cover ~ the crmina conduct of the
Iublc servants, they were compelled to resor, to The
subi,rlugc which they adopted, and TO bring ~
Indictments Sglirst persons whose names txclteda
certain iesrce of public prejudice, IN the case
Il Eyuocis The active riotefs-Ned Duntline
aud his coadiuiors-h have been already convicted,
and are now suffering their punishment. The inn
IN, date insdglofs were in great degree
N. evil authorities Of the CITY I, il true
Jujgc Edmonds, IN his charge, iaslnded among
those causes which I'D to the not, incendisry ari.
ces in he newspapers On this point, however.
W. beg leave 20 differ with HIS Honor toto cr'o
The newspaper arIcles on the subject up TO the
e., night, were particularly calm aad cool on
pc rlitve merts Of the controversy between the
We paysrs no one connected with the press, that
We know Of, dreamed OF any difficulty growing
out oi hat quarrel similar 10 that which actually
ooh place On this point, therefore, the charge OF
he Judge deals vety uniustly with the tone and
temper ct the newspaper PRESS both IN this city and
throughout The country Oae or two journals IN
Boston, we believe. were very savage relative 20 !.
the quarrel between the { o actors: bu, here and .
elsewhere, there was very little apprehension Of
any difficulty in The matter.
On the Whale, therefore, We consider th,t ne
acgsittal-ine Triumphant ac4uittd--ol Ctst,io
Rynders, Is nothing more than what was dae To
justice, TO law. TO public opiaion, and to ihe rights
and liberties of the people. IN thcatrs aud OUT Of /
theatres. The conviction Il Ncd D1adne and bis I
associates was al right and proper: Tor they were
caught fosrarfe dsiicf0 The conduct Of Bynd.rs
In that affair was no more censurlbie than that OF
Mos,s II. Grnntll Both, IN that respect, OCCUPIED
the same level The great error is to be found in
the weakness. imbecihty and folly % the Mayor
and the police authorities and they are thc partes
that ought to have been indicted Tor their def len
e. IN judgment. or error on purpose, In aloNicg
such ridiculous aud missrabls affair 20 proceed
20 the extreme degree of criminahy which nov
STAINS he history q the CITY