The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-04

DIM Dem ynsIratn0n In Boston.
To THE EDITOR OF THK TaANsCRIPT:-
A sense of the duty and the love which owe TO
my native city Of Boston, decides me to overcome
the repugnance which | feel, both from natural
charas ter and reflection to obtrude myself, by
any, extra official act, upon the public notice.
had hoped that the very unimDortant events
which occurred about midnight between Tuesday and
Wednesday last would be passed over in silence by
the press. But this hope has not been realized. On
the contrary reports have appeared in several papers,
yesterday and to day, which contain many exaggera
tons, and which appear to me calculated to njure
without just :ause the fair and welr deserved repu
tation Of our city.
am too jealous Of the 20 I'd name OF Boston, a.
home and abroad, 70 suffer that it should receive an
ujuststgm if it be possible for me, by any protest
contradiction, to prevent it. For this reason beg
the use of your columns to state what know, and
shall be grateful to you for the concession.
have nothing to say concerning the effigy said to
have been burned on the Common. My conviction,
upon good testimony is that such combustion took
place. But this is matter which IL not within the
range Of my personal kno Wedge.
What know is this during the two weeks imme
dately preceding the first day OF February secret
passwords circulated, clandes line meetings were
held, private notices were distributed, and great eff
forts were made in general though private way, to
bring together from every part Of the city, and from
all environs, all those pers who might be will
ng to take pant in the proposed demonstration, as
hey call it.
From these premises, Of which feel sure, 1t is
my house on Tuesday night last contained all those
persons who, out Of population of between two and
three hundred To ousand souls. were willing to 0ier
insult to me end to my household Now. the whole
crowd certainly did not exceed two hundred men and
boys Several Of my good friends and neighbors in
Franklin place estimate them at smaller number,
and say there were one hundred and fifty. From this
number should be deducted an uncertain but not in
considerable portion compose Of persons who, hap
penDg TO be in the streets At that hour followed the
procession simply out Of curiosity 10 see and know
wha. might be done.
This deduction made there might remain a hun
dred, or at the most hundred aud fifty, men and
boys, who, BY great efforts, continued during tso
weeks ard over, had been gathered out OF all the
wards Of Boston and all the adjacent cities, with
will to show disespect to or to the illustrious
stranger who was enormously supposed to be my
guest at the time.
need not argue upon the fact thus analyzed. The
inferences SO far as they the feelings and
dispositions Of my fellowctzens of Boston, are OBJ.
to me ard honorable To them.
1t may be objected that, in the midst Of citizens
SO disposed, the municipal authorities should have
prevented 20 small q number of men principally
strangers, from disturbing the stiffness Of midnight
and breaking in upon The quiet hours when good
aid peaceful members of society seek repose from
the tolls OF one day to commence with q renewal Of
strength those Of the day that ensues.
But am not stranger to the unfounded suspi.
cions which are often entertained, And the unjust
judgments which are s5metimes pronounced, against
those whose lot 1t Is govern. Upon this point
bave neither complaint TO make nor defence to ofer.
II 1have succeeded in showing that nothing took
place on the occasion, by wbich dishonor or blame
can be legitmstey attached to tho people OF Boston
JouN n. F'rsrArs,cK, bishop Of Boston.
Boston, Feb. 2, 1854.