The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-17

site that it be a rule, guide, uniform, fixed and
equal for all, till changed by the same high polit-
cal power which made it, This is what entities il
to its great and sovereign weight. And il is such
laws, go made and 80 upheld, which it is our i'm
pera.ive duty 10 sustain rather than thwart dis
regard"
Again:
"One of the peculiar dangers, not before consid-
cred, to which jurors as well as judges are exposed
is the unpopuiariy obnOriousness from any cause
of any particular law which has been violated,
leading at times on that account to be timid or
un fat hfuf in enforcing it.
"This occurs from the law being out OF favor,
not merely because of some severe penalty at
tacbed TO the breach Of it, but the subject matter
being delicate or offensive one-such as the reye-
nue. or taxation, an embargo, or post oihce reg
ulation. little reflection must, however, con-
vince all that the duty imposed both you AID US
is not TO execute the laws OF the land to one sub
ject rather than another, any more than as to one
person one class of persons rather than another,
to those of one creed rather than another, or
one color instead of another.
"Whie we, in sense, in our rcspective spheres,
are holding the scales as well as sword OF justce,
in humble imitation of the Divine Judge on high,
10 il possible that we can be justified In pursuing
any different than is believed TO govern His
wise dispensations. to let law, law, reign su-
preme, reign equally over all. and az to all things
no less than persons; and till it is changed by
the proper authorities. not to interpose our in
dvdual caprices fancics, or speculations, to de-
feat its due course and triumph.
''There is, also, much less justification here than
in some counties to df5regafd laws when dsliked,
because can, under the universal snygrage en-
joyed here, otherwise help legally to change or
annul them by our votes. We thus helped to
make them and they are NOT forced on US by des
potsm or minorities, as in some governments.
"Change them when you please, then, citizens
and Legislators, by Of free suffrage, of per-
suasion and majorities, but as jurors you have
sworn to obey them till so changed, and ought to
stand by them then faithfully, till the last moment
Of their existence
Mr.. Sumner has referred to the Stamp act,
and the s'unconguerabls rage Of the people"
He has done his utmost to convince the people
that there is a resemblance between the Stamp
act and the Fugitive Slave law; and that it
is their duty to exhibit the same ''unconquer
able rage" at the present time, as was eXhib
tied by the Sons Of Liberty in l765. He says
to the citizens, in Faneuil Hall, '.the uncon-
queraJlc rage Of pcople, in those other days,
compelled the stamp distributors and inspectors
TO renounce their offices, and held up to detessa-
tion all ,eho dared TO speak u. javor Of the
stamps" Mr.. Summers statement is perfectly
true; the ,tnconq,lc,able rage Of the people did
all this, and being nconquerable--uires asq,ri-
rens eund0--as is commonly the case-it did
more-t'.and shall ,ce be more tolerant" says
Mr.. Charles Sumner, 'to those sho roiunfeer
IL, taror of this bill. No! Mo-"
The miconguerabe rage of The people hung
the distributor OF stamps in efligy, destroyed
Mr.. divers office, broke the windows, beat
down the doors Of his dwelling house, destroy
ed part of his furniture, and rioted till mid
night. The terror and distress of his family
compelled MIR. Oliver to resign. When Mr..
divers house was assailed the lieutenant gov
ernor was there. He requested the sheriff and
the colonel of the regiment 10 suppress the
mob. This was enough for the people; whose
uncon9ucrable rage impelled them to break
the governors windows on the following night.
Then, as now, a portion u the clergy-men,
too, manifestly Of like passions with the peo-
ple--were on hand, with their fixed ammuDi-
ton, nflammatory texts, and fiery discourses,
to stimulate the uncOnquerdbte rage of the pc0-
ple On Sunday, August 25, l765, sermon
was preached from Gal. ", IL, "IDould then
,rcrc epen cut eff that trouble you." On the
following evening the mob built bonfire in
King street--fed the flame of their anconquer-
able rage with fre-water, assaulted the houses
of the Registrar of tie Admiralty and Comp
troller of the Customs; and, having revelled
upon the liquor in their cellars, and raised their
own atnconquerablc rage to concert pitch, pro-
ceeded to the house of Governor Hutchinson.
"The doors were Immediately split to pieces
with broad-axes, and a way made there and at
the windows for the entrance Of the mob, which
poured in and filled in an instant every room in
the house." The family, Governor Hutchin-
son and his daughters, were compelled 10 fly
for their lives. The unconquerable rage Of The
people led them to guzzle the wine, and steal
the gold, and destroy the property within, so
that the dwelling was completely sacked. The
mob had entire control during the night. One,
who was leader in this affair, afterwards de-
clared in prison that he was melted by the ser
mon, and really ''thougM he ,cas doing God
scrcice." DR.. Mayhem, who preached it, ad-
dressed letter to Governor Hutchinson a few
days aftsr, and "declred that, ifhe loss of has
,choic cstate could recall the sermon, he mould
,ciIingly part ,oah It,"
Such then were some of the effects of that
,nconquerable rage Of The people, which Mr..
Charles Sumner holds up as an example be-
fore the citizens of Boston! ''.4nd shall Toe be
more tolerant of thosc," says this amiable citi-
zen, .'Uoliuteer IN .taUor Of this bH?" So
much for this truly interesting gentleman and
his '.fancied loyalty 10 lac !"
If Mr.. Charles Sumner imagines that he
sees such a resemblance between the Stamp
act and the Fugitive Slave law as will justify
opposition in one case as the other, his mental
and moral optics must be as tortuous as the
musket of Rory More, that was constructed to
| fire round corner. SIGMA.