Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-08-24
From The North Star.
Mob nj Columbus,


have just escaped the fury of an atroci-
Gus mob, in Columbus, the Capitol of the
great State of Ohio. A week ago, accept
ell an invitation Of several colored friends in
this city to visit them on my return from
Cincinnati, where had Just held q success
ful series of meetings
| arrived in Columbus, from Cincinnati,
ON Friday, July 18th. In consequence of
indisposition, | was unable to speak until
Monday afternoon and evening. My friends
had secured, without difficult, the use of the
Senate Chamber of the State House for the
meeting; aud, Judging from this indication
Of liberal feeling, | had little apprehension
that should be subjected to the violence of
an incensed and murderous mob. But ap-
pcarances are sometimes deceptive. They
were so in this instance; for a large or
more spteful and malign specimen of mob
ocracy than that on Monday night, in tho
famous metropolis of Ohio, have not late
" encountered. A week before / came to
Columbus, patriotic citizen (whose name
will perhaps hereafter appearl was heard TO
declare his intention to get up mob, If il
cost him all he was worth in the world, and
ten years in the Snte prison besides; and
the result shows that he has not proved false
70 his diabolicnl vow. As these mobs nre
striking indications of the public mind, and
serve very well TO illustrate the nature Of
American freedom and civilization, deem
il proper TO put them on record, even ut the
expense of variety.
My first meeting, as have already re-
marked, was held in the Senate Chamber,
on Monday AFTERNOON. 1t was attended by a
large concourse of persons, and all appeared
10 listen TO my speech with lively interest,
although spoke strongly-as l feel strong
YIN REPRoBATIoN OF THE AMERICAN Con-
srITUTIoN AND UMoN. Strong however as
were the expressions used by me, they were
too true TO answer the purpose of getting up
a mob and the parties deslrous TO get up
one had therefore first TO get up he, and
tell it extensively, before they could rouse
the citizens TO violate the laws and disgrace
the city. The LIE was not fat one, but a
very poor oNE-almost too contemptible and
absurd to repeat; yet, considering that II
produced the desired effect, | suppose l
ought TO chronicle il for the benefit OF pos
tcriiy. Hero it is then, just in the shape il
went round the city, into groggeries, and
law offices, aud other haunts OF slumberlng
t,ltriotis,n--" I, That id nigger Douglass has
n. .a,l,,eed lie frumers Of the Constitution as
co,rards" 2! OF course did no such thing.
But the people believed did say so, and they
attached so much importance to what they
believed me guilty of saying, that they
thought il necessary TO come to The rescue.-
TO prove that their fathers were not cow
ards they proved themselves ruflians.
The evening meeting, like the one in the
afternoon, was very well attended. The
lower part of the house was crowded TO
overilowing. The great body of the audi
ence was composed of the most intelligent
and humane people of the metropolis. On
entering, | felt impressed by the imposing
presence. But | soon discovered that u
number of the "baser sort "-the "servile
moh," had taken possession of the gallery of
the Senate Chamber, and were quite prepar-
cd TO defend the honor, dignity and patriot
ism of their foreiathers, 10y every species of
disorder and indecency which their inhuman
depravity could suggest. was accompani-
cd to the platform by Rev. Mr.. Monroe. At
my suggestion, he made few remarks
During his address, the clamor, bissing,
stamping, and vulgar exclamations, were all
most inccssant. It was with great difficulty
that he was heard by those nearest to the
platform. In the thickest of the noise and
upronr, gentleman Of fine, commanding
appearance, rose in distunt part Of the
hall, and asked TO be heard. IL was Auditor
Wood. Quiet was restored, and he ad-
DIR essed the mob in an eloquent and manly
strain for about ten minutes--remonstratin
against their illegal, criminal, and disgracc-
iul behavior, and ontreating them to desst
from their mobocratic conduct and TO allow
the meeting to proceed in order. This was
all of no effect. They came for different
purpose-to mob Frederick Douglass; and
that purpose must be executed at all hazards.
II IL. 81.
uproar, and seemed resolved TO perseverc in
their unlawful couise, MIR. Wood and anotli-
er gentleman (whose name do not remem-
ber) went into the gallery with view to
ascertain who the persons were who could
thus nudaciously trample upon the rights of
their fellow citizens. Their appearance in
the gallery, armed only with lighted candles,
caused the patriotic towards TO leave the Or
derly portion of the assemblage in posses
sion of the hall.
The relief, however, was only temporary.
The mob soon surrounded the building out
side, reinforced by greater numbers, and cvi-
IDENTIFY urged on by increased malice, they
rent the air with hideous yells. This was
followed by nn alarm of fire. Bells were
rung, engines dashed through the street, and
all was noise and confusion without. II is
due to the assembly within to say, that they
kept remarkably quite during this uproar.-
Their good sense and presence of mind in
this matter, entitle them to much praise.
We continued the meeting until half past
ten o'clock. There remained at the door
about five hundred persons. These com
posed the mob. They were waiting for
me to come out. Fortunately, Preached the
door in crowd, by which was for time
concealed from the incensed multitude. AS
soon, however, as l was dlscoved III inc
crowd. stones and other missiles began TO
fly about my head-one only of which struck
me. and that did but little injury. Just at
this point of the fray, we arrived at the cor
ner of a street, which offered me the OPP
porunity to escape. At that moment, 9
white friend of mine (who was in the crowd,
blest with vigorous urn and Stentorian
voice, rushed through the cowardly mob, N