Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-28
gotal ann 9ersonaI.
. Freedom of speech.o--on Wednesday nigh

Hail. to take action with reference 10 the auxiliary
guard having, on Sunday afternoon last sup
pressed two meetings assembled for the discussion
Of the great principles Of temperance, morality,
law, and order" The Rev. Ulysses Ward in the
Long, secretaries.
MIR. Cunningham made brief statement of
the grievances which induced the call Of the
meeting, and read the correspondencstbet
the mayor and himself in relation TO the question
at ISSUE from which il appeared that his honor had
given no Instructions TO Captain Birch for the
forcement of the corporation law for the preser-
walton of order and the protection Of property"
leaving that officer to the discharge Of the duties
pertaining TO his station. Capt Birch, of the
auxiliary guard disclaims that he was actuated
by any desire whatever TO infringe the freedom
of speech, but that he conceived il to be his duty
TO dissolve the meetings in question, 10 prevent
the obstruction of the footways, and, probably, q
breach of the peace. The mayor, while approving
Of the temperance reform, plainly points TO the
necessity of oil concerned in il obey the laws of
the corporation.
On the other hand il was insisted that, Al the
places where the meetings last Sunday were TO
have been held, no obstruction TO the footways or
breach of the peace was likely to occur.
The Rev. Drs. Peck, Davis, and Reese, and
Messrs. Harrington, Hardness, Savage, and others,
addressed the audience during the evening on the
various points presented.
The proceedings We're moro than ordinarily
spirited and patriotic; constitutional rights" af
fording fine theme for defamation.
We deeply regret that any persons should be
found so rude and discourteohs as frequently to
hiss one of the speakers, whose views did not
meet their appreciation. He aptly told them, how
ever, that only two Of Gods creatures Kissed, and
they are the goose and the serpent. With this ex-
ception the general temper of the meeting was
respectful.
The following resolutions were, after debate,
adopted and speak for themselves:
RESOLVED, That the act of the corporation OF
Washington approved June g. 1852 entitled San
act for the preservation Of order and the protec-
ton Of property was in the opinion of this meet
ing, intended and designed to suppress oil rotous
and disorderly conduct in the streets and thorough
fares OF this city, and is IN itself proper and sal,
utary measure commencing itself to the good
sense of every lover of order, morality, and re-
hgion.
Resolped, That any other interpretation that shall
be given TO this law abrdging the privilege Of the
friends Of temperance "peaceably to assemble
themselves together for the advocacy fthe great
temperance reform, we shall regard as an outrage
upon our constitutional rights as American
citizens.
RESOLVED, That the liberty ofspeech"isa sacred
and cherished right. which we will never surren-
der and shall always hereafter, as heretofore,
claim and exercise that right in regard to all evils,
outrages, and wrongs which exist in the commu-
nifty, or which threaten its welbeing; and especi-
ally in regard to the great evil of intemperance.
And we renew the solemn pledge which wo have
already assumed to wage unceasing hostility
against the manufacture, sale, and of all intox
icating liquors as a beverage.
Resolved, That any attempt which shall be made
10 hinder or obstruct any such meeting, held and
conducted in accordance with the rights guaran.
tied by the Constitution Of the United States, will
be regarded by us as gross infringement upon
our rights and privileges, which we pledge our
selves to resist in lawful manner, to the extent
Of our power.
Resotped, That these resolutions be published in
the papers Of the city, and copy thereof DO COM
municaled to the mayor Of Washington.
(. f !t
Compilation Of the Laws.-The committee
appointed under the authority Of tho joint resou'
ton the councils, in December last--consistina
Of the Mayorof Washington, Mr.. Hill, of the Board
Of Aldermen, and Mr.. Easily, of the Board Of Com
mon Council--have discharged their duty, and the
result of their labors is so near completion thai
the whole of the general laws of the corporation
will be ready for the binder in the course Of few
days. This collection or compilation, they say IN
their report, will afford the executive officers, the
members Of the two boards, and tho citizens Al
large an edition of the laws of the city, carefully
and systematically arranged under appropriate
heads, whereby the law upon any particular sub
iect can be found without the necessity Of seeking
il in several volumes or in separate parts Of one
volume. The work has been arranged as &c
group, as far as was practicable, all the laws re
lating to one subject under one head
The labors Of preparing this compilation wa,
performed by James W. Sheahan, esq, whose
valuable services, the COMMITTEES remark, they
were fortunate enough to secure soon after the
appointment, and they bear testimony TO the faith
full execution of the work in all its parts. He
however, modestly says, that while he feels mos
sensibly The obligations he is under TO each mem
Der of the committee, sense Of justice, if not o
gratitude compels him to refer particularly 10 nj
honor the mayor, with whom he was necessaril!
most frequently in communication Without thu
aid of the mayors "experence and better judg
mentn he never could have accomplished wha
has been done, and, therefore, if credit is at
tributable to any person, besides that which be
longs TO the committee generally, it is due to him
French Leave Yesterday morning, Mr. Ta
bleman, cigar manufactures, in the Sentinel build
ing, discovered that his two apprentices, accom-
panied by a considerable amount OF change, ha,
unceremonously taken leave Of his premises
had sha r,olit
leave him note, bidding him kind farewell
The names Of the boys were August Heitmulle
and Albert Happner The latter had been but
few months in this country. Tho former wa
about FIVE feet three inches in height was de
formed about the shoulders and neck, and YER
near-sighted. Keep look out for them.
MIR. Bishops Entertainments.--We call Al
tention to the advertisement Of Mr.. 7. Bishop, VIII
purposes giving series Of entertainments at Cd
Eal,o,,ys, Hall commencing On Mon dav neY