The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-07
From the Boston Transcript.
The Peace and Dignity or tho Common
wcalth.-NO. xviii.

| From the Boston Transcript.
The Peace and Dignity OF tho Common
wealth.-No. xviii.
If the worthy editors of ''the only paper
are not yet persuaded that the proclamation OF
the President was required by the existing con-
dition of things in this quarter, will they be so
| obliging as to read one of the Worcester reso-
lutions: "Resolced, That it is our imperative
| duty to strive for the abolition of the law at
the earliest period possible, and that, until such
repeal is effected, we declare our unwavering
purpose to disregard its provisions, and pledge
ourselves never to assist in the recapture of
fugitive slaves; but, on the contrary, to use all
righteous means for their escape and protection,
and abide the consequences"
Will the editors of "the only paper" give
their ears, if they have ears to hear, to the fol
lowing resolution, passed at Springfield Gro
solced, That we here pledge ourselves to our
fellowcitizens to stand by each other, in deter
from the South, to protect them from their p,r-
suers, and zoe ,oN, If necessary, suffer the con-
sequences''-that is to say, if necessary, we
will be hung for it!
Will the editors of ''the only paper" superadd
the consideration that our worthy mayor had
been reported, upon the reiterated assertion Of
the editor Of the Worcester Spy, to have said
that s'no fugitive slapc should ever be carried
a,cay from Boston," and that fugitive slaves
had been rescued already, upon two occasions,
in this city, by lawless mobs2
A spirit of active hostility to the law was
daily spreading among the people, spirit
which was not confined to raving abolitionists
nor to the obscure and lawless in our commune
| ty. Men whose reason was constitutionally
and easily mastered by their ardent feelings,
| and whose respect for law and order was nc
match for their mi-delirious adherence Of
slavery began to interchange not their opinions
for their reasoning powers had little to do with
the matter-but their angry feelings, and to
utter forth those feelings even in reasonable
language mean to say in such language as.
if accompanied or connectedly followed by overt
acts, would be high treason, and entitle the Of
| tenders to the halter.
Thoughtless and fiery men became strangely
| emboldened; and certain individuals, of ordina
| rily quiet tempers, appeared to be losing theii
characteristic mildness and equanimity The
knowledge of this morbid condition of public
sentiment, in certain quarters, was not confined
| to Massachusetts. The knowledge of all this
went, upon the wings of the east wind, all the
way to Washington. 1t was waited there
through the atmosphere, as rumor of good and
evil has ever been waited from place to place
since the world began.
Let me be a little more explicit, and present
one single illustration of that evolutionary
spirit which was breaking loose from mer
whose heads were becoming as hot as theil
hearts. On the first day of October last, Mr.
Devens, the United States Marshal, went to
| Springfield, to serve a writ In favor of Samuel
! Colt against the Massachusetts Arms Company
and made an attachment. He went there for ne
| other official purpose. Up to that date no war
| rant within the district. against any .fugitiut
sLaue ont Of the city of Boston, had come to the
| knowledge Of the marshal The appearance Of
the marshal in Springfield was the signal fol
all that preposterous excitement and uproal
| which Immediately followed his arrival.
Not long after this false alarm met very
worthy man, about fifty years of age, near the
easterly corner of School street. l had knows
him as fellow-citizen for many years. lie
| was grave man, of mild, pleasant temper
as had always supposed, and had been, fol
several years, member Of the Common Coun-
| Gil. | referred to the foolish excitement about
| nothing at Springfield. 81 ,cish," said he,
"the slavc -caichers acould come here" ain
deed!" said Lei am sure hope they will
not" 81 hope they'll Gomez said he, with
much excitement, "I'u be the first man TO hang
'em to a lamp -post." "My good sir" said l.
edo you not see that, in such an attempt, You
would violate the law and the Consiitution?S
| 81 don't care that for either" said he, snap
| ping his fingers as he spoke. 1t is impossible
to convey any just idea of my surprise to the
reader, unacquainted, as he is, with the indivi-
dual who so absurdly exposed himself. The
hearers of the reverend Mr.. Colver would
scarcely be more surprised to see their spiritual
| guide riding through our streets to destruction
upon the back of an unbroken, lawless jackass
with the tail in his hand. was amazed to
perceive upon what sober personages the infer
nal spirit Of msrule could lay its violent hands
/ When, therefore, in rapid succession, the
events of the last few months were fairly de
veloped, the reasonable meeting in Faneui
Hall--the appointment of vigilance commit
tees--the reasonable assurance given by oul
worthy Mayor to Earle, the Worcester Spy
which our worthy Mayor denied having given
and which Earle reaffirmed that he did give
and that he, Earle, could prove it, and that oul
worthy Mayor would not deny it, that no t,gi
the slavc should ercr be carried from Boston
the mob and consequent rescue of Craft-th'
mob and rescue of Shadrach--the triumphan
insolence of that VIGOROUSLY infamous, lying
and reasonable journal, which, in mockery o
all solemnity has assumed the title of the Con-
MoNwEALrH--" Summary proceedings. Mas
sachusetts safe yet. The higher la,c still re
spected. The kidnappers at fault. His rescu
IN obedience to the higher la,c"--will the wor
thy editors of "the only paper" be so obligins
as to spare the community, from their treasure
house Of wisdom, few grains only, and jus
Indicate the true conditiorer,m for the futur
government of the President and his Cabinet
which will Justify the issuing Of a proclamation
IL is just to suppose that, although the pro
clamation was directly occasioned by the over
act Of treason committed in this city by ih
mob, and by its present and absent instigator
in the rescue of Shadrach, the Government wer
well advised Of the collateral and WHOLESOME
influence of such proclamation far beyond thu