The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-07


" hat abrupt manner. asked the Waterman what he
was ringing the bell for Est>rbrook refused to
give any satslactory explanatfon; alteration
ensued; Esterbrook undertook 70 put Mr.. Webster
out; : tustls followed, and Estsrbrook was thrown
down, and Mr.. Webster taken 70 the watch house.
There he demonstrated very emphaticaliy against
the conduct Of Esterbrook, who thereupon caught
hold of him, threw him back upon tho bench, and
there held him short time; but, soon Ester
brook released his hold, Mr.. Webster struck him
and knocked him down. Mr.. Webster was then
to Jail. Yesterday morning the case was
brought before the police court, and postponed for
a week, Mr.. w. giving bail for his appearance.
In the Legislature of Massachusetts,, on Fri
day, the following resolution was presented:
f" Rssolvsd, &c., 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
the arrest Of citizen Of Massachu-
sets, under the operation of the Fugitive Slave
law. and to devise proper and legal measures for
the defence and protection Of citizens of Massachu
SETS"
Mr.. CUsHNc, of Newbury, spoke in opposi-
ton to the petition, and moved that it be laid on
the table. Mr.. KEITH, of Roxbury, moved
that it be laid under the table. The motion to
lay it on the table was carried by l47 yeas to
lib nays. The meeting of those opposed to
the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave law was
accordingly held on the Common. We find the
foil owing account Of it in the Boston Daily I'D
vertiser of Saturday morning
AGITATION AoAIssr THE FuoITIyz SLAVE Law
II will be seen by Legislative report that Mr..
Earle presented petition asking for tho Of the
state-house yard for public meeting. The fol-
lowing is q copy of the placard which called to-
H. IL oh IN v.rkro
the right to use the State house grounds-came to-
gether ON the Common:
"PuBLIc Kidnappers in Boston.--Mcn
of Boston, OF your fellow citizens was last night
seized by slave-hunters. He 10 in most imminent,
deadly peril. The citizens Of Boston and its neigh
borhood are earnestly invited TO assemble without
arms in front Of the State house, at four this Fri
day. afternoon, to consult for the public good
The meeting was at no time largo one, and it
soon adjourned to the fremont Temple, which was
about one third filled. The eloquence of Mr.. Phil
lips and Mr. Colver, on the Common, and their sue
cessors in the Temple, did not succeed in getting
up much enthusiasm against the quiet and ordina-
ry administration of the laws.
Rev. THsopoRE PARxER was the first speaker at
the Temple, and during his remarks expressed the
hope that all present would in their hearts hold
every man who aided in the arrest or detection Of
any alleged fugitive slave as infamous. For his
own part, he would hold them as most infamous.
He would not encourage personal violence; but
three kidnappers, three stealers of men, were here
from Georgia. They were known, and they could
be followed in the streets and pointed out by those
who know them, as slave-hunters. One fugitive
slave was now under arrest, said MIR. Parker, and
he would pledge his honor, az man, that be had
good reason to believe that three moro were to be
arrested and all that his hearers had to do to
govern themselves accordingly.
A man named MELLEN, who always interrupts
in trying TO aid such meetings, attempted to
speak but, amid much confusion, he was pulled
down upon seat on the rostrum.
JOHN C. CLURE followed in short, violent
speech, declaring that 30 long he had shelter,
however poor it might be, he would share it with
the hunted fugitive. He also spoke in very
terms of the Secretary of State, and
was proceeding in remarks relating to that gentle
man, when some one called for "thres groans for
Daniel Webster - but instead of groans, the call
was responded to by cheers.
Rev. NATHANIEL CoLvxR made some comments
upon what he was pleased to term the Infamous
slave law, and said he would hold himself bound
to absolute disobedienco to that law He Consid-
ered the chains around the court house; the state
ments sent to Washington relative to the recent
escape Of fugitive, and the Presidents proclama
ton, lie-done for political effect. In again al
udng to the "infnmous law, }" the speaker said he
would disobey it, and do all he could to shield the
fugitive. He under no moral obligation to
obey that laws but at the same time he did not ad
vocate persGnal violence Re hoped tina. when the
house. outside of the chains, at the hour to
which the examination Of the fugitive was post
poned, and that the streets would be filled, and let
Il be where the railroad steamboat that
convey freeman into the chains of slavery He
all fellowship with such clergyInen az
had from their desks advocated the sustaining of
the Fugitive Slave law. In again abiding to Mr..
Webster, the speaker said, let every man, when
ever Webster walks the streets, point the finger of
scorn at him. For one, he would promise that
every time he saw him he would point at him and
cry shame. To the colored man he would say, if
k~ ~k> ~nI ,,rl q, . kD.x~o
there taken, they would not be taken unless he |
was also. The speaker alluded to sentiment given
by him at meeting in Faneuil Hall some time
since. and said he had had no occasion for regret
ting having uttered that sentiment, and he would
therefore repeat it, which he did in the following
language:
claw or no law, Constitution or no Constitution.
no colorcd man, under charge of being slave |
setts."
CHARLEs LIST made few remarks, chiefly re- |
ang to the refusal of Chief Justice Shaw to grant
! habeas corpus writ, as petitioned for by Mr.. |
WENDELL PHILLIPS said he did not know as he |
had any explanation to make in regard to any thing
he had uttered short time previous, for he alone
was responsible for what he had said.
gentleman expressed the hope that. before pro- |
seeding further, Mr. Phillips would explain that
Mr.. Potter, tho claimant of the fugitive now under
arrest, bore no relation to the Mr. Potter who rode
Laughter
Without making any explanation, de-
'red, Mr. Phillips continued his remarks, and said
hat the court which sits behind chains will not sit
ong. The commissioner who renders a Judgment
~ which person is sent back to slavery, will not
nave the opportunity of rendering many such judg-
nents He expressed the hope that every avenue |
eading to the courthouse would be crowded full
o. morrow, and if Court street was obliged to be
,losed then omuch the better. There more cow
lrds behind the chains than there outside Of
HON. He concluded his remarks by moving that |
he meeting adjourn to meet again to- morrow |
morning in Court square, outside of the chains. |
The meeting then adjourned
We subioin the following as a specimen Of
Abolition bullying on this occasion:
From the Boston Commonwealth, April 5.
TINE BosroN LIGHT INFANTRY REoIMENr ordered |
o be in readiness to help CATCH "NIG- |
iERw-THREE COMPANIES DETAILED FOR |
SERVICE! Tho above named regiment, under |
Of Colonel Holbrook, received orders |