The republic., 1851-02-22
From the Boston Atlas.
The Rescue.

As we Anticipated, when we first heard of the
rescue of the fugitive slave Shndrack, reports OF
the most exaggerated character have gone forth
from this city in relation to it, which reports, like
rolling SNOWFALL, increase in size the farther they
are pushed. The comments of the New York press,
at least portion of il, arc as devoid OF sense as
they are of truth. They implicate the character Of
our whole people, and would give their readers to
understand that the entire population OF Boston
were implicated in the transaction II appears,
also that the news created profound sensation IN
Washington. The subject discussed in the
Senate, and even MIR. Clay was "astounded'' at the
nature of the intelligence. The President has is
sued proclamation in regard to 1t, which, we
must be permitted to say. was, in our Judgment,
,nnecessary and uneallsd for 1t is notorious that
the people had no part or lot in the matter. The
act is almost universally condemned here. The
people of Boston, and OF Massachusetts,, however
hostile they may be to the present Fugitive Slave
law have no difference of opinion in regard to up
holding the laws Of the land, far rs lies in their
bower. But the people of Boston are as liable to
be surprised by momentary acts OF insuoordna-
tions from the common frailtes of human nature
any more than they do from the accidental out
breaks of lawlcss or ignorant men, which take
place at times in every community.
There has been, within few years, mob in New
York, which arose from vulgar prejudice against a
foreign play actor, which resulted in the destruction
OF valuable property, and ofvaluablc lives Hardly
a month passes wherein docs not occur petty mobs
and fights between frcncn in Philadelphia, TO say
nothing of the burning Of churches, which hap
pencd there some ak years ago. II is not great
while since a mob in the city Of Lexington, the
| home of MIR. Clay, organized aud took forcible
| possession of printing press and destroyed It,
| and yet Mr. Clay did not, we have over heard,
feel astoundcd thereat. The mob spirit has shown
itself at intervals in every city and State in the
Union. In the opinion of many excellent men, the
| imprisonment Of our colorcd scamcn at southern
ports is little if anything better than expressions
OF the mob spirit under legal form. The exhibi-
| ton presented in the city OF Richmond within a
| month past, wherein tho captured fugitive slavc,
Long was sold into perpetual slavery, and bond
| demanded Of his purchaser 10 the amount OF three
| thousand dollars that he should be taken
south and sold, il sold at all, into perpetual
bondage, although persons stood ready 70 buy
him at high price, and set him free, Is phase OF
the mob spirit not at all favorable to the character
Of the good people of Richmond. And when we
take into consideration the fact that the Legsla-
ture then in session, and the State convention Tor
the amendment of the constitution, then IN session
adjourned in order attend the salc and add their
| "most sweet voiccs' to the hurrabs which were
| sent up when the poor wretch wac knocked on &c
| the purchaser, was a direct and intended insult tt
| the honest and manly sentiment Of the North
| Lawlcss as VIC believe tho Boston rescue to have
| been, vet IL docs not partake OF that demoniacr
| spirit which showed itself at the Richmond say,