Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-10-09
Letter from Syracuse,

Dean MARIUs: 1t was my fortune yester-
day to be present at very large, and very
singular meeting which convened in the city
of Syracuse. The Union.loving, constitu-
ton. supporting patriots of our day, regarded
il as Of n somewhat seditious and reasonable
character, and perhaps their estimate of it
was not far amiss, for it cannot he denied
that on the LIST day of October, 1851, the peo-
pie of Syracuse did array themselves against
the government of the U. s., and tranpled
under foot Congressional enactment which
had cost the distinguished body from which
il emenaed much thought, and much labor,
to say nothing Of the sacrifice of conscience
aud honor therein involved, did certainly
seem like adding insult to injury.
The anniversary meeting which assembled
to commemorate the rescue of the slave
Jerry, wa indeed singular convocation.-
Men who were under indictment for the act
there entered their plea of GUILTY." and
said, with Patrick Henry, if this be treason,
il this be rebellion, il this be violation of
law, make The most oft; and the five thous-
and who were assembled to give aid and
support to those who were guilty of loving
Man more than Constitutions, Truth and
Right more than Congressional enactments,
re-echoed the sentiment. The spirit that
rescued Jerry, and which so convincingly
disciplined the U. IS. officials, was very much
like the spirit in which the Quakers recon-
mend their Discipline be enforced" with
out Partially or unnecessary delay" for all
classes engaged in the act, and it was done
in the twinkling of an eye. In the course of
the meeting, gentleman upon the platform
who seemed much interested in the proceed
ings, was introduced TO me ns an editor OF
one of the Syracuse dalies, who was under
indictment for the rescue. ! took il for gran
ted he was the editor of n Free Soil paper
and said SO 10 him. "No," was his reply,
"you are mistaken, ! support Pierce and
King" Verify, thought |, if the supporters
Of Pierce and King tuke part in the rescue of
Jerry, and glory in the net, slave-catching
must indeed be at discount in Syracuse
aud the city will become such stencil in
the nostrils of IIunkerdom, that salt counot
save it.
The present fathers of the city, are not,
however, responsible for its rebellious and
traitorous character, for they did all they
could TO redeem it from the stigma which
the Jerry rescue has cast upon it. When
they learned that il was designed to celebrate
the anniversary Of the triumph of the hu-
manity of the people over The despoisn of
officials, they passed resolutions of solemn
warning against such an assemblnge, and
were as successful in Initiating the Union
Committee of Castle Garden, as was the frog
in the fable of Initiating himself to the size
oithe OK. There was no mob in Syracuse
on the LIST of October; there was no rowdy-
ism, no disturbance at our meeting, which
was doubtless cause of much surprise to the
City Council, who greatly over-raled their
influence. Application was made to the
Council for the City Hall in which to hold
the meeting; it was refused, rs was also the |
use Of any ground belonging to the city,
Mr. Wilkinson, however, proffered the Use
of the new engine house belonging to the
railroad, circular building being $50 #. in
diameter, and capable of holding ten thous-
and persons. Plense not make this fact too
public, lest Southern Slaveocrucy, and its
twin sister Northern Hunkerdom, should re-
fuse to patronise the railroad, and establish
line of stage coaches to break down the
company. There was proubably about three
thousand persons at the morning meeting,
while about FIVE thousand attended the after
noon session. Gerrit Smith presided VIM.