The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-02-26
Gbc AliAAlrburp Register.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 90, 1851.
The Boston Mob.


We have regretted certain features Of the
Fugitive Slave law-bul were every pant OF
it not merely cxccptionablc but deteslable,
it would still be almcst infinitely preferable
TO mob law. An unjust and offensive statute
may be repealed. Even if it were moi so,
those affected by it know precisely what to
expect, end can prepare themselves for the
worst But mob law is uncertain, violent.
Irresistible, (whcn once recognized or even
toleratcd,) without reason, without measure,
without rcmofse. If this is democracy, give
us rather the most absolute monarchy-thc
auiocracy of Russia - military dcspo'i.m--
any form Of open, regular, systematic OPP
precision.
The circumstances attending the recent
mob in Boston have already been sufficiently
siatcd-in our last paper. None but the
most unpliuciplc'l and rechlcs,-the men
WHO have, Ike
"iognos, who feel the halter draw,
\ poor opinion Of the Law
of any law, of ALL law, will undertake to
justify this act for a momcnt
The fugitive, in this case. was legally arr
rested, by = United States Officer, and duly
brought, for examination Of the claim on
which he was taken, into United States
Court Ills trial was fiiily proceeded with.
The evidence to establish that lie was the i
IDENTICAL slave claimed, was probably quite
sufficient Such, at least, is the appearance,
from the testimony produced by the counsel
for the claimant, to which no rcbutting lcsi.
mony was presented The counsel for Sha-
drach desired further time, 10 prepare his
dcicncc. The Commissioner granted an ad-
journmcnt for that purpose. Before the pris-
oncr was removed from the Court Room, he
was rescued from the hands Of the proper
ollicer,to whose custody he had lccn entrusi-
ed, by a colorcd mol, hcadcd-as appears
by ample evidoncc-by two or three white
men, sof fanatical Abolioui>t school
Was this right, or was il wrong? Ii tie
highest authority in the land can jGsliGdbly
be trodlcn under foot 10y passionate rab-
bic. in this case, the same AMY be done, with
equal safc'y,wilh equal right, and with equal
impunity, urdcr any circumstances whaiev-
er, and in violence 10 eng law, that is in the
least re7ugnant to the feeling. of these who
are required to obey it.
The Fugitive Save law, willie Il isa law.
must be promptly sustained, or c'.o III law
be given up, and mob law be undseuisedl,,
proclaimed. However unpAlatablc This dor
trine, we must make up our minds to it, for
no man car sainsny it-nonc can avoid this
practical conclusion. No mans conscience
requires him to interfere with the officers oil
Justice with the legal executors Of The law.
His passions may prompt him to this course.
but those passions are bal, dangerous, aud
destructive.
We arc not wanting in sympathy fer the
slave whose escape was thus violently brought
about. We regre. that Slavery ever exist;
ell on this continent and we cannot but com
uisera'e is victims. We should be yer,
reluctant to inlcrposc any obstacle 10 ihcir
escape from bondage. But ali this has moth
ing to do with an open, deliberate, and wan
ton violation Of the highest human law
citizen Of the United States can recognize
and especially when the whole tendency an.
result Of such violcucc must lie 10 make Ii,
condition Of tie colored race in this country
vastly worse, al the same time that it strike
blow to all that gives security, and ever
possibility Of existence, 10 human society
in this view, VIC are glad to see the promp
and timely proclamation Of the President
and hc energy and determination shown by
the Government officers at Boston, in hing
ing the offenders to punishment. We trus
that all concerned in this business will b,
made to fear, since they neither know how
to reverence or respect the majesty Of LAW