Daily American telegraph., 1852-06-30
4 MERICAN TELEGRAPH.
Flrst nIartyr on Freedom.

Early in February, ITO, the females of Boston
made public movement on the subject OF nom
importation, and the mstresses of three hundred
families subscribed their names to league, bind
ing themselves not TO drink any tea until the rev.
enue act was repealed. Three days after the
example of the matrons, multitudes signed a
document to the same purport. All classes were
thoroughly imbued with patriotism and even
children were sturdy asserters Of national rights.
Disregarding these expressions of public senti-
ment, few merchants in Boston continued to
sell the prescribed article. Among them were
Theophilus Lille and four others, who were par
ticularly bold in their unpopular conduct. To
designate his store as one to be stunned, mob
consisting chiefly of half-grown boys raised a
rude wooden head upon pole near to Lilies
door, having upon it the names of other import
ers. A hand was attached to it, with the fore
finger pointing to Lilies establishment. The
merchant was greatly rritated One of his
friends, named Richardson, a stout man, tried to
persuade countryman to PROSTATE the figure
by running his wagon against it, The man was
patriot and refused, and Richardson attempted
to pull it down himself. The mob pelted him
with dirt and stones, and drove him into Lilies
house. Greatly exasperated Richardson brought
out a musket, and discharged ii without aim into
the crowd. a4 a.si,..
A lad named Christopher Gore afterwards
Governor of the Commonwealth was slightly
wounded; and another, Christopher Snyder,
of poor widow, was killed. The mob seized
Richardson and an associate named Wilmot, and
carried them to Faneu Hall, where they were
examined and committed for trial. Richardson
was found guilty of murder, but Lieutenant Gov
ernor Hutchinson refused to sign his death-war-
rant. After two years imprisonment, he was
pardoned out by the King The murder Of the
boy produced great sensation throughout the
country; and in Boston it was made the occasion
nf mos w
cred with inscriptions, such as g Innocence is not
safe" and others of like tenor; and was taken
to Liberty Tree, where large concourse
sembled, who from thence followed his remains
to the grave. In that procession about FIVE hun
dred school-boys took the lead. Six of Snyder's
play-fellows supported the coffin; after them
came the relatives and friends of the deceased
and nearly fifteen hundred of the inhabitants
The bells of the city toled, and those of the
neighboring towns. The newspapers were filled
with accounts of the murder and funeral, and
little Christopher Snyder was apotheosized as the
first martyr in the cause Of liberty.
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THE AVAILABILITY OF OBsCuRITY.-The Dem
ocrats count upon the obscurity of their candi-
dates as one of the great elements Of success.
The Wings select theirs on account of dis
tinguished services rendered in the cabinet the
legislature, or the field. The former prefer
standard bearer who is not renowned for any
tlTirg, supposing that barely respectable med-
ocrity affords fewer points for assailment. The
latter invariably choose q man who has been
mighty in council or great in the field, who has
achieved fame as statesman or glory as warrior,
and who has earned In one or the other capacity
righteous title to the gratitude of his country
men. ........
The people of the United States are too proud
to say nothing of their good sense to prefer me-
diocrity to magnificent intellect-small party SER
stretching through period of forty years
leaving out of remembrance the terrible lesson
which attended their action in 1874.
Because Polk was elected in 1914 mainly on
account of his obscurity, the game of 1852 is to
elect Pierce because Of his greater obscurity
The former was, however, known as the most
eloquent stump orator Of his day, as good pre-
siding officer of the popular branch of the Ma
tional Legislature, and the favorite pet of the
then al-powerful hero Of New Orleans. There
fore he was somewhat distinguished But Pierce
is eminent in no way-neither orator, legisa-
tor, nor warrior In none of those capacities did
he rise above common place sluggish mediocrity,
and in nothing has he shown himself capable of
being the Chief Magistrate of this great people.
We have no doubt he is a very excellent and
worthy gentleman in private life, but that does
not fit him for the Presidency: there are millions
of such in the United States.-N. o. Bulletin.
TACTICS or THE ADvERsARY.-f we may Judge
from present appearances, the plan of the cam
paign to be pursued by our opponents contem-
plates rather system of denunciation against
Gen. Scott than any special demonstration in be-
half of their own candidate. The merits of the
latter might not afford materials enough for much
eulogy; and perhaps it is thought that by keep.
ing him in the background, the same obscurty
which recommended him to the favorable notice
of the Convention Of his party may have equal
success in the canvass before the people.
Moreover, to exalt mans merit too high-to
load him with extravagant praise when his real
position is one of mediocrty- might have the eff
feet of bringing his dement's into view with dam
aging consequences. A dwarf cannot be made
giant by putting him upon stills, although, by
such tottering elevation, the awkwardness of
his movements may be brought more conspicu-
ously in view, and the outlines of his dwarfhood
be more clearly defined
A system Of detraction and of yilihcaton,
therefore, directed against Gen. Scott may seem
to promise more in the way of political profit
than his adversaries could hope from any other
mode Of conducting the canvass; or, in the des-
perate dilemma in which they are placed, it may
appear to be the only resort left to them.
Baltimore 1Rerican.