The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-04-09

handed, but perhaps II Is the sort OF government
we are henceforth to live under. 1t may be a
high crime to question U. s. official while en-
gagged in kidnapping.
This affair was scarcely over, before an alarm
of fire occurred, and while watchman Easter
brook was ringing the Stone Chapel bell,
Fletcher Webster, esq, assaulted him in most
insulting manner, tore his clothes and beat him
badly. lie was evidently under the influence of
Constitution wine" and another, if not high
er law than that of sobrieiy. Easterbrook at
last succeeded in getting him to the watch house,
where he was knocked down by him. The ex-
FOUNDER was then committed to Leveret street
Jail, to answer for his doings this morning.
The following notice has just been issued
from the Commonwealth office, and posted about
the Streets
PUBLIC Observation-Disclosures IN BOSTON.
Men Of Boston! One of your fellow-citizens
was last night seized by slaye-hunters. He is in
most imminent deadly peril. The citizens Of Bos-
ton and its neighborhood, are earnestly invited to
assemble, without arms, in front of the State
house, at half-past o'clock, p. m. to consult for
the public good" .I.
The crowd continues large aoout the Court
house, and the blacks begin to appear in con-
siderable numbers. H..
In the egis lature to-day, the following petition
was presented: .a. ..t. ...' e.
'.That the use of the State House yard be
granted to the citizens of Massachusetts, to hold
public meeting IN the afternoon, to take into con-
sderation the arrest Of citizen Of Massachusetts,
under the Fugitive slave law, and to devise proper
and legal measures for the defense and protection
Of citizens Of Massachusetts.
Mr.. Gushing, of Newbury, spoke in opposition
to the petition, and moved that 1t be laid on the
table. h.
Mr.. Keith, of Roxbury; moved that it be la id
under the table.
The motion to lay it on the table was carried by
lat yeas to lI3 nays.
The meeting of those opposed to the enforce
ment of the Fugitive slave law, was accordingly
held on the common.
The meeting was called to order by the Rev.
Mr.. Colver, and Mr.. d. Howe was appointed
chairman.
Wendell Phillips addressed the meeting. He
spoke of the court house in chains. He hoped the
people would come in from the country in such
solid columns as to block up the streets and pre-
vent the fugitive from being carried off except
over their heads He reioiced that the law could
not be executed, except at the point OF the bayo-
net, and behind chains. They won't dare he said
to carry the fugitive out of the commonwealth,
except under the convoy of the guns of the navy
yard.
He spoke Of Faneiul Hall being close to them,
and hoped that they would make the eims of the
common resound TO the declaration, that law or no
law, constitution or no constitution, chains or no
chains, this law shall not be enforced. Block the
locomotives, tear up the rails, follow the fugitive
to the borders of the State, if possible, to rescue
him. He counselled every colored man who had
felt the chains OF Southern oppression, to fill his
pockets with pistols, &c, and as far as he was
able he would stand by their sides. The law for
them was at an end. He urged the meeting TO
hold itself in readiness, with all the means at its
nd nd IN ctr IN O.
cuton of this statute. The government and leg
slature has refused us the means to try this ISSUE
and we have the right to disobey il, and meet the
consequences. When priests and statesmen are
traitors, the people must take up the relns.
The meeting here ad iourned to fremont Tenn
pie, where the Rev. Theo. Parker was called up.
He said, that when he passed the court house this
morning, and saw the chains which encompassed
he imagined that he was in Vienna, and not in
Boston, under martial law, and certainly not IN
der the laws of New England. He asked the
meeting 10 pass the resolve each for HIMSELF that
they would hold for evermore as Infamous, any
one who aids in the arrest or rendition OF fugl-
tive slave. | am, he said, ready TO do II, and can
see but little difference between the African kid
napier and the Boston kidnapper. There are at
present three kidnappers in Boston; find them out
and point at them they pass in the streets, make
them sick Of Boston. He understood, from good
authority, that they were intending to arrest two
more fugitves tonight. He urged the meeting
to form a vigilance committee, and keep watch
upon the movements of the boodhounds.
A Scotchnan, named Mcclure, denounced as a
coward any man who would allow his arm to hang
loosely by his side while fugitive was being car
red off He counselled no violence, he said, but
soon afterwards cried out, Liberty or death
resistance to tyrants is obedience to God"
The Rev Mr. Cnver said that the law was so
obnoxious and inhuman that he would trampie Il
ndar 10 ue emf for n ulsODeQIencp.
He also would counsel no violence, but he asked
the assembly to meet tomorrow at the Court
house in their strength The people from the sur
,nounding country would be there! he would be
there and if his presence on such an occasion was
inconsistent with his clerical profession, he would
unfrock himself! he denounced those his brother
ministers who had compelled obedience TO the Flu
gitiye slave law as traitors to their country and
their God, and called upon the meeting % again
pass the resolution passed at Faneul Hall, that
" Constitution or no constitutlon-law or no law
no fugitive slave shall be carried out Of Massa
chusetts!"
After some further infammatory speeches, the
meeting adjourned with the understanding that
they were to meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow around
the court house.
Some Of the speakers denounced Daniel Web
ster as a disgrace TO his country villain! and n
traitor TO the North whca was received with
mingled Kisses and cheers.
The number present at the Temple was ABOUT
1000, many Of whom went there from curiosity.
The court house is still surrounded with chains,
and guarded by large body Of police officers.
The fugitive is in a room in the third story, which
is secured by six two inch iron bolts upon the
inside.
Several military companies are at their armores,
in readiness for action in case ofany disturbar ce
or attempts at rescue. Indeed every precaution
has been taken to prevent second Shadrach at
fair.
The city continues in an excited state. The
square around the Courthouse has been cleared
once or twice Of the crowd collected, by detach-
ments of the city watch, and one or two who re-
fused to stir, were takeninto custody. Thesquare,
however, is again half full. Sixty resolute men
guard the Courthouse upon the inside, and others
are ready at the different watch houses, upon the
least alarm. .... ...
No blacks are to be seen abroad, but knots oil
white men are collected all over the city, discus
sing the matter. The great majority are in favor
Of obedience to the law.
The agent Of the owner refuses to sell the slave,
his orders are to take him out Of Massachusetts,,
to test the law.
The Auburn DaiLv Advertiser says that Hen.