The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-29
Newspaper Articles.
WHAT THE PEOPLE EXPECT OF THE VIGILANCE CON.

[From the San Francisco Bulletin, May 29]

lFrom the San Francisco Bulletin, May %.
The organization of the Vigilance Committee in this city
was the last resort Of outraged and nsulted people
They had endured wrong, rather than right Illegally
Time again they had made attempts through the ballot
boxes secure officials who would be true to the trust
repoed in them, and time and again were those efforts
hwared-not by legitimate means, not by the voice Of
majority but by fraud, violence and audacity. Still
the people endured. Then the murder of Richard
son. The popular swelled, and its waves dashed
high, but again was Gained and no storm ensued But
were only looked upon by the rufan Office seekers and
holders guarantees oftheir own immunity from punish
ment encouragement TO further outrages the tempest
came and sweep revenged not alone the death of
marter but long series of previous ourages and
hope OF better days 10 come.
Rut the work is not yet complete and we trust no
senselcss TRADE viii influence the Committee to relax
its action, much less break up It's organization The
scoundres who have hitherto been behind the scenes
trembling. They trust forsooh that the Committee
will 90 further they really do hope It will stop here
They profess be appalled, by the consequences which
viii ensue the Committee go on AND Wen they may
bel Their reign Is Those who have hitherto sup
fabrcations Of sdomciary visits or outragesD will
have any effect on their confidence in the Committee No
dim shadows evoked ON the future, as nurses summon
ghosts to frighten children, can avail TO weaken the
faith or impair the action Of the men who 10 redeem
/ our city from ts past degradation
There IL another work before the Committee, moYesim
porant than any which has hitherto engaged their acn-
ton. 1t is the publication of the ballot box II we would
the ballot suffers If there Is any in the custody
Of the Committee whom ballot boxsung be clear
| ly proved his punishment should be exemplary. We
ignorant OF tue weight Oh tnc WORDS We uttcr.
Tampering with elections Ia IN fact the most heinous Of
crimes II is than treason for TO the traitor the
laws assign capital punishment, and popular opinion
eacabie Disgrace Benedict Arnold did more against
the liberties Of the American people than James Casey
and the men who prompted him 10 and aided in his ballot
box outrages have done An example must be made. II
must no longer be considered venaI offence nstgatc
false voting must longer be thought simply "smart
for politicians pay for these frauds and rufans TO
cute them Had not ballot box been corrupted James
Kings career of usefulness would include today and
our city would have been far above the position she
occupies.
We do not doubt that the Committee have their plans
well laid and that they prepared TO carry them out
at all hazards II s not with the view OF making any sug
people look 10 them for eforma radical reorganization
In spirit If not in fact--of city government In the
measures taken by the Committee for the capture Of Nc
Gowan and wghtman nine tcnths Of the community
ncide and those clearly found guilty Of having
been accompces in the late assassination nothing should
nreyer their fate being the same a. that Of those on whom
Justice has already done ns worknot in revenge for
Il at Decd but TO put stop to fatare conpraccs against