Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-05-31
THE posroN pror

- FROM the Boston Jonrnal, (whig) May 81.
Inc uisg scenes Of violence which transpred IN
mus city last evepng-the exciting meeting In ransuil
hA-the hvless counsels which there prevailed-the
siolent attack upon the Courhouse-and last and
DE aepioreo the murder of officer who faithfully
asenargng his duty we'll calculated TO lead the peace
aoe and well dsposed-those who respect the laws aud
who recognise tho authority Of properly constituted
reflect upon the nature aud tendency Of
the insane efforts which arc making alleged
ties.
lswes violence Is to 60 unrcbukcd and men high In
esi position are to become the leaders Of mobif law
OF tue United States is to be rampcd under foot and the
OF the government shot down 10 tho discharge Of
their duty aud this without rebuke then indeed will blot
rest upon the lair fame Of our city, and Boston win be
degraded IN the estimation Of the whole Union.
We take more hopeful view Of tho present excite
ment We know that the great majority Of citizens
are well disposed They will uphold tho constitution and
support the laws They will sustain the authorities in
the hrm and decided stand which they taken put
dosn mob nleuce, aud will aid in the preservation OF
order The law viii triumph the passions Of In
iuristed mob or this have evidence 10 the
prompness and success with which the city authorities
hav" met tho crisis anu Ia tho readiness with which the
cinlen soldery-who are with the people aud Of them
have responded to tho call of duty.
The s,ltconstituted friends OF the alleged fugitive have
ccr,anly taken very inudcious course aud which
mas tended TO smbarrass properly directed efforts
rescue the unfortunate man from return to slavery
they did not wait the virtue Of legal proceedings
In their eagerness to rampc upon the fugitive slave law
hey orgot that inf mmatoy appeals and mob violence,
cad OF increasing the sympathy which every fel,
Tor the unfortunate prisoner, would only feeling
OF indignation and deep settled determination among
the sw-shidng portion of the community sustain
authorities in enforcing the laws The Of Burns
has thereby suffered and the who might now have
been Tree by the voluntary transfer the claim by hich
he held is still confined in the Court House under the
guard OF United atcs troops aud in actual bodily fear
lest some ndiscret friends should endinger his life rather
than see him returned to slavery.
We glad thu the excite an violent leaders of tho
mob have been allowed time for their passions to COOL
and for reflection upon their unwse course. The real
friends OF the alleged fugitive can now devise some means
70 secure us freedom without transges.ng the laws
There evidently disposition ON tho part of the Com
missioner to extend to Burns oil the favor which is conss
tent with his duties and with proper administration of
the law. We have fear with the able counsel who
have been employed in his behalf that the will be
summary disposed o. aud IL the fears OF the friend
Of Burns should be tealized-f he should be remanded
by the Commissioner to the custody of his claimant
his rescue from slavery may yet be effected without re-
sorting to violent means, which under any
are urjusti6sble.
In the holy hours Of the Sabbath by the quiet Of the
domestic 6rese LEI those who have been in
melting deeds Of violence and bloodshed reflect upon
the deporabe consequences Of their rashnes and upon
the duty which they their country as republican cti
zens-o the State Whole fair fame should be shove all
prceand to the city, upon the maintenance the peace
and order OF which heir personal security so init
matcly depends. Let them consider well how they can
best the of the poor fugitive whose rescue by
violent means they cannot hope to effect rather than in
what they most strongly show their contempt
and hatred Tor obnoxious law. Above ALL let them
consider whether the deep, earnest and abiding feeling
which exists at the Worth in favor OF human freedom NAV
not be made more available in its opposition TO the slave
should mark the course of those who claim be its pc
cular CHAMPIONS.