The southern press., 1851-04-07
Fyes, tks Dsstow Csu.ws~.sssish, April 4.


Fess tks Bsstos Css~ss~sseslsh, .qpril 4.
Our city was disturbed and dsgraced last
night by kidnappers and bacchanulians.
First colored pers0n, named Thos. Symmes,
was arrested a. fugitive slave, in Cooper street
He made stout resistance, and somewhat in
jured police officer Butman. who was forward in
afresting him. He was at last overcome by u
large posse of watchmen who were in readiness
near by, aud incarcerated in the court house
about nine o'clock 1t WAS rumored that no was
to be examined forthwith. A few friendly per-
sons meeting Deputy Marshal Riley in Court
square, one Of them, San uel Il. Sewal, esq, in
formed him that he was c.. sci for the prisoner,
and demanded to know when and vi ere the ex-
animation was to take place. He did not an
swer, and the demand was repeated with some
vehemence, when Riley called to posse of
watchmen near by and ordered Mr.. SewaIl to be
arrested aud taken to the watch-house. Ho was
soon after released by the captain of the watch.
This proceeding appears to us pretty high
handed, but perhaps it is the sort Of government
We are henceforth to live under 1t may be n
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,
| 'oNuci vveu7ecf, cSq, aSstuiteu MN III u HiVSt
insulting manner, tore his clothes and beat him
badly. lie was evidently under the influence Of
Constitution wine" and another, il not high
er law than that of sobriety. Easlerbrook 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.
"Msn of Boston! One of your fellow-ci,izens
was last night seized by slave-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 haf-past clock, p. to consult for
| the public good. -
The crowd continues large about the Court
house. and the blacks begin to appear in con-
siderable numbers.
In the legislature to-day, the following petition
was presented
| "That the use of the State House yard be
granted to the citizens of Massachusetts, to hold
public meeting the afternoon, to take into
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 it be laid on the
table.
Mr.. Keith, of Roxbury; moved that it be la id
under the table.
The motion to lay it on the table was carried by
l47 yeas to l13 nays.
The meeting Of those opposed to the enforce
ment of the Fugitive slave law was accordingly
held on the common.
The meeting 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 to block up the streets and pre-
vent the fugitive from being carried off except
over their heads He rejoiced 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 Faneu Hall being close to them
and hoped that they would make the elms 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 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 It's
command, to endeavor to stop tomorrow the exc
cution of this statute. The government and leg
slature has refused the means to try this issue,
and we have the right to disobey it, and meet the
consequences. When priests and statesmen are
traitors, the people must take up the relns.
The meeting here adjourned to fremont Tenn
Pile, where the Rev. Theo. Parker called up.
He said, that when he passed the court house this
morning and saw the chains which encompassed
L, al th ko, and, ,p
Boston, under martial law, and certainly not un-
der the laws of New England. lie asked the
meeting to pass the resolve each for himself, that
they would hold for evermore as Infamous, any
one who aids in the arrest or rendition of fugi
tive slave. | am, he said, ready to do il, and can
see but little difference between the African kid
napper and the Boston kdnnpper. There at
present three kidnappers in Boston; find them out
and point at them as 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 bloodhounds.
A Scotchrpan, named Mcclure, denounced a
coward any man who would allow his arm to hang
loosely by his side while fugitive was being
ried Off He counseed no violence, he said, but
soon afterwards cried out, f" Liberty death
resistance to tyrants is obedience to God"
The Rev. Mr.. Colver said that the law so
IL
under his feet. lie went for absolute disobedence
He also would counsel no violence. but he asked
the assembly to meet Tomorrow Mt the Court
house in their strength. The people from the sur
rounding 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 ofhisb brother
ministers who had compelled obedience to the Fu-
gitye slave law traitors to their country and
their God and called upon the meeting to again
pass the resolution passed Mt Faneuil Hall, that
" Constitution no constituton-law or no law
mo fugitive slaye shall be carried out of Massa-
ohusettsI"
After some further nnammatory speeches, the
meeting adjourned with the understanding thst
they were to meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow around
the court house.
Some Of the speakers denounced Daniel Web
ster as disgrace TO his country a villain! and
traitor to the North which was received with
mingled Kisses and cheers.
The number present at the Temple about
1900, many Of whom went there from curiosity.
The court house IL still surrounded with chains,
and guarded by a large body of police officers.
The fugitive is in room in the third story, which