The Nevada journal., 1856-08-15
LIBERATION OF TERRY-After 81

LIBERATION OF TERRY.-After six
weeks of close confinement, the Vigi-
lance Committee, on thorough exami-
nation of all the evidence for and
against their prisoner, decided to set
him at liberty, which was accordingly
done on the 7th inst.
Public sentiment had applauded the
acts of the Vigilance Committee up to
the time of Terrys liberation, and with
the exception of wild and blood thirs-
ty few, who had set their hearts on the
execution of Terry, and steeled them
against the palliating circumstances of
his case, there is general feeling Of
acquiescence in the magnanimous dispo-
sition of the distinguished prisoner by
the Committee. The general features
of the evidence against Terry were pub
lished long ago, and we early took the
ground that if such was all, and the on
ly evidence against him, he was not
worthy he-dnom> ~ excited populace
had designed for ism. And before we
gave a blind sanction to all the acts OF
the Vigilance Committee, or gave them
a carte blanche for ourselves, we desir-
ed to be fully satifed that the members
ofthe Committee were men ofiron nerve,
and able to withstand the heavy outside
pressure that demanded blood at the ex-
pense of justice. =
- The problem has been solved. The
Committee are worthy of a monument
to their memory. The tumultuous
waves of popular Indignation have beat
en- against them, and firm and immova-
bic have they withstood the shock.4
Keeping their prisoner in a place of safe
ty, and waiting until the storm of popu-
lar fury had abated, they have let him
out from the ark never more we trust to
return.
I The people have already pronounced
their .pprobation of the previous acts
of the Vigilance Committee, and here
after, if not wholly now, will they ad-
mire and appreciate the justice and
moderation which set Terry at liberty
- The Executive Committee have dis
played more moral heroism in this last
act, in Drawing the will of thousands of
their friends, than by the performance
of any previous deeds, however respon-
sible, or good, and beneficial to society
they might be. ,
- 1t could be desired that the friends of
Terry were blessed with a modicum of
that magnanimity and moderation
which has so signally characterized the
Vigilance Committee, in restoring to
freedom the distinguished prisoner OF
the latter, and the valued associate OF
the former. 1t is in exceeding bad
taste to get up a triumphal procession,
like the one at Sacramento, make
speeches, and glOrify the triumph of law
and order. Had the friends of Judge
Terry been sufficiently numerous, or
gifted with oratorv sufficient to revolu-
tionize public opinion, or had they the
courage to take Fort Vigilance by storm
and set their friends at liberty, it might
be appropriate to celebrate their victory
with an ovation. But when they owe
the liberation of friend to the justice,
moderation and magnanimity of foe,
1t IS well to rejoice for the good fortune
of the friend, not to exult over it as a
triumph over enemies. ;
Judge Terry was paraded through
the streets of Sacramento, to the tune
OF "Hail to the Chief" and "See the
conquerlng Hero comes!" Such an ex-
hlbltlon is trifing, puerile, contemplate.
but 1erry's friends have never display
ed, during the whole time of his confine-
ment' the smallest appreciable quantity
OF good sense, and it could hardly be
expected on this occasion.
1HE AMERICAN PARTY AWAKE
rom many portions of the State we
near the most gratifying news that the