Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-10-31


a Precedent for the Sumner Outrage -
In looking over the history of North Amer
ica, find, pages llU and All, record OF al
act bv the mlnions Of power, very similar tC
that perl,ctraied on Senator Sumner. recent
~. n the United States Senate. This TOOK
place in l769 or 10; the time Is not giver
exactly James OTIS of Boston, was the
mani
"He had been sffronted by the partizen'
of the crown, vilided IN the public papers
and treated aiier his resignation of the office
of Judge advocate ~ Gov Rarnards admin
istrationl IN a manner too gross tor man OF
his s9irit to pass over with mpunltY. Fear
less OF consequences, he bad always given
the world his opinions, both in his writings
and his conversation, snd had recently pub
llshed some severe structures of the customs
and others Of the ministerial party; aud bid
ding defiance TO resentment, he supported
his allegations by the signature of his maine
A few DAYS after tins publication appeared
Mr.. Gus, with only one gentleman in com
many. was suddenly assaulted m public
room. by a band Of rutbans, armed with
swords and bludgeons They were headed
by one of the commissioners Of customs
The lights were immediately estinguished
aud Mr.. Ons, covered with wounds, was leil
for dead, while the assassas made their way
through the crowd which began TO assemblei
aud before their crime was discovered, for
tunately for themselves, they escaped soon
enough TO take refuge on board one of the
kings ships, which lay in the harbor.
Though the wounds did not prove mortal
the consequences were tenfuld worse than
death. The future usefulness of this DIS
tnguishcd friend Of lis country was sdes'
troyed, reason was shaken from its throne
genius obscured, and the great man in ruins
lived several years for his friends to weeI
over. and his countr, to lament the depriya'
tion of talents admirably adapted to promote
the highest interests of society.
This catastrophe shocked the feelings o.
the yirtunus not less than II raised the lndig
nation Of the brave, yet remarkable spin
of forbearance continued for a time, owing
TO the respect still paid to the opinion OF TIM
unfortunate gentleman, whose voice, thougl
always opposed TO the strides OF dlspousm
was ever loud against all tumultous and lille
gal proceedings. He was, after paFtla
recovery, sensible himself OF his lncepacltl
for the exercise Of talents that had shon'
with peculiar lustre. and often invoked th
messenger Of death 10 release hun from
life become burdensOme IN every view, bu
upon the calm interval of moment permit
ted him the recollection of his own integrit,
In one of these intervals Of beclouded reaso
he forgAve the murderous hand, after tn
principal ruffian had asked pardon IN coul
of Justice. On civil process commence
against him he was adludged to pay E5,OO
sterling damages, but Mr.. OTIS, desplslng
pccumiry compensation rellnquished II 0
the culprrs asking pardon, and setting IL
signature 10 very humble acknowledgment
and at the interoesson of the gentema
whom he had so grossly abused, the peop
forebore injecting that summary vengesn'
which was generally thought due to so bla'
crime.
Mr.. Otis lived to see the independence
America, though in state of mind lncapab
Of enjoying the great event which he ow
exertons had fastened. After several yea
of mental arrangement, as if IN consequent
Of his own prayers, his great soul was u
stantly set free by a flash OF lightning, fro
the evils in which the love Of his count
had involved hiu.
HE death took place in May, 1888, Il
same year that peace was concluded betwe'
America and Great Britain"
Such was the spirit of oppression at III
day Has il changed for the better at III
iimoi think nol--no, nor never viii.