New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-05-13
The City Authorities and the AbolItionists

The City Authorities and the AbolItionists.
To the Editor Of The Tribune:
SIR: In your paper of yesterday morning you
express a wish TO know whether the Mayor did
or did not give the requisite orders to the Chief of
Police, to protect the assembled people from riot
and outrage" at the Anti-Slavery meetings on
Tuesday and Wednesday and observe in several
communications in The Tribune and Journal Of
Commerce, that there are people amongthem the
editors of the latter paper-who justify the mobon
the ground that the Abolitionsts invited il to be
present at the meetings and because Mr.. Garrison
declared that the Society did not require the pro-
lection of the Police. VIII you permit me the use
Of your columns for brief statement of facts.
The Abolitionists have always invited and offer
ed full and fair discussion Of the question OF
Slavery, and of their principles and measures.
They are always ready to grant this, as they were
on Tuesday morning. at the Tabernacle. They
have never, however invited the public, nor any
portion of it, to come to their meetings and sup
press the right of free speech.
But were it true that they had done so in this
instance, or that Mr. Garrison had rejected the pro-
lection of the Police when it was needed, it by no
means follows that therefore the riot was jastifa-
bic. Riots, take it, can hardly be considered an
innocent amusement, to be permitted as often and
rs long az the parties concerned in them may
see fit.
Nor is it true that the Abotonists declined the
protection Of the Police, though if they had it was
none the less the duty of the City Authorities to
suppress an outbreak that threatened such serious
consequences. On Tuesday morning. before the
proceedings had commenced at the Tabernacle,
called on the Chief OF Police, and stating that some
disturbance was apPrebended, asked that an ade.
quate force be sent there to suppress 1t should any
occur Mr. Matsel referred me to the Mayor, on
whom was about TO cell, when the Clerk in the
Chiefs office stated that force had already been
sent TO the Tabernacle. Mr.. J. T. Hopper had also
called ON the Chief on the same errand. refer to
this only to show what was the wish Of some of
those connected with and interested In the meet
ing.
When the mob rushed upon the platform at the
Tabernacle, and completely upset the order Of the
meeting, | Immediately requested Captain OF
Police, whom understood to be Mr.. Raymond, to
arrest the ringeader. He refused to do 20, and
demanded my reasons for such request. re-
Piled, because he Capt. Rynders) was creating
hot and breaking up the meeting; that the house
was ours for the time being, and that no person
had a right to interrupt the proceedings His
answer was that he should arrest no one unless
personal violence was committed that these men
were doing nothing that they bad not perfect
light 20 do that this was o free meeting and every
,ody might do as they pleased, provided there was
10 assault. This conversation hyndeu overheard.
At later stage oil the meeting it is true. the
hief Of Police did say to Mr. Garrison that Ryn-
lers should be arrested when he required IL. Mr.
5arrison replied that he did not think il necessarv
hen. lie IS, moreover, q nonresistant and does
ot approve, and could not give his personal sanc-
ION to resort 70 force under any circumstances
t" neither Dir. Matsell knew this TACT or not. ne ala
ot make the otter to any other officer of the Socie
}. AT any rate there was then no necessity of an
rrest, and # there had been public functionary
ld LOT need the permission of private citizens To
reserve the peace If he thought il in jeopardy.
he purpose OF the mob was entirely frustrated AZ
nat time by the overwhelming sentiment of the
udieIce and the confusion into which the rioters
we're thrown by the unexpected offer of full and
zee discussion Of the subject at issue-a PROPOSE
on DOT at all IN accordance with their intentions
: their usaal habit.
On "wednesday, before it was concluded that
ne meeting should adjourn, and the Society Libra
Dc closed It was ascertained from the Mayor
1at ms orders to the Police were positive and
rict that the rioters should not be nterered with
IL they resorted to personal violence. The Police
'ere present at the Hall in large humber Well
imed, but they were perfectly obedient to the in.
tructions OF their superior A thee was every
eason to suppose that the disturbances wouldcse.