The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-29
STREET PREACHING.

The unwarranted Interference of the Mayor
of New York, in causing the arrest Of Mr.. Par
sons, streetpreacher against Catholicism,
threatened at one time to produce much mis-.
chief 1t was shown that he was holding forth
in shpyard, belonging to one of the citizens,
that no ordinance Of the city was violated, and
he was released, But the Impairment zeal Of
the Mayor aroused great excitement. The
arrest was considered an attack on the liberty
of speech. MIR. Parsons announced his pur-
pose to preach at tho same place the following
Sunday, and a large meeting of citizens was held
in the Park, at which resolutions were passed
condemnatory OF the conduct OF the Mayor, ana
announcing an intention to sustain Mr.. Par
sons Thcreupon the Mayor issued his proca-
nation, Getting forth the ordinance against
t-preaching-which nobody proposed to
vioate-and calling upon all good citizens 10
keep the peace which had been iniringed alone
by him.
Archbishop Hughes also came out with u
manifesto admouishing his Catholic subjects
to stay away from all such public exhibitions,
and to refrain from violence, but if attacked,
to repel force by force!
Mr.. Parsons was at the place at the appoint
ed hour and acclaimed ~ long and rs freely as
he pleased, without disturbance. The Mayor
had learned Weldon, and the good people in
thousands, caring little for Mr.. Parsons, but
much for the rights of free discussion, were
present, determined to maintain them. 80 may
it always be when an attempt ia made in any
quarter, for any purpose, to restrict liberty Of
speech and the press.
The New York Euening Post has some Just
remarks on this subject of street-preaching:
"The Mayor annexed to his proclamation
the law against street preaching We must
say that We entirely approve Of that law. The
streets of New York are already too crowded
with vehicles and foot passenger, the parks OF
New York are too small for the peaceful re-
freshment and recreation of the people, and we
should protest most strongly against giving up
foot OF either to the religious sects 10 worship
in or to wrangle in. The religious denomina-
tons should no more be allowed any part OF
the public grounds, than their ministers or their
schools should be permitted to take share OF
the money raised from the people by taxation
Besides, what il the spirited friends of Mr..
Parsons and the resolutc adherents of Arch
bishop Hughes, or any two other denomina-
tons equally antagonistic 70 each other, should
happen 10 call meeting to DO held at the
same time in the same part of some public
square or thoroughbred The result would be
great deal of unchristan violence, and, prob.
ably, great many broken heads. If the law
had been put in force according to its proper
intent, in case concerning which there wa
no doubt, few, We think, would have been dis
posed to complain it is the unfortunate blum
der in the attempt to execute IT which has Gre
ated all this show OF Indignation ON the one
side and of resolution ON the other, and brought
MIR. Parsons before the world in the double ca
pacty of retormer and martyr
"For our own part we belong to those who
regard this controversy without apprehension
OF any sort Ii the laws ut present in existence
are executed with discretion, as We have ut
doabt they will be, we shall no. witness any
NoPopcry nobs in our streets, even in their
germ, nor will our Catholic brethren be called