The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-05-28
Our Boston Correspondence.
BOsTON. Nav 25,
Tie Simmer Assault in Boston The Excitement
THE EHert-Ine E0neuiL HILL Meeting, &c.

DOsTOS. May Zot ISOo.
Tie Simmer Assault in BOSTON The Excitement
The Efect-Ihe FaneuH Hall Meeting, &c.
Excitements, like certain other events seem never
to come singly. Here, for the past week or two,
has Boston been wavering between the affair of the
British Minister and the Central American question:
uncertain on which to fix the balance OF its
distinguished attention, when along comes the news
of the Sumner assault pushing aside all other con-
sderat and absorbing the entire interest of this
big city. Mr.. Champion is forgotten: nobody cares
about Padre Viii. and any one who should utter q
word about Kansas would be regarded as painfully
behind the age. Sumner and Brooks are the topics
now. ] mentioned, in my letter Of the 23d, that the
Legislature would act upon the matter on Saturday;
but they wisely concluded to wait until more de-
tailed ard authentic news should arrive from
Washington. Meanwhile, the public feeling IA
Their mcderates On Saturday, an immense
mass meeting was held at Faneuil Hall,
which differed very Importantly from that of the
preceding evening at the fremont Temple, being
collection of politicians, instead of redhot abo-
itionists. You will find that it is called by most of
the Boston papers meeting of all parties. This is
not true it was gathering Of members Of one
family-whigs, Know Nothings and free soilers.
There was no democrat on the platform, NOR in any
prominent place in the hall; and although, from
the reports, you might judge that its tone was
fercely denuncatory, it was in truth anything but
that The abolitionists were bitterly disappointed.
They expected fire and birthstone speeches, and got
instead lukewarm phrases only The fact is that,
without justifying the assault, people are beginning
TO think that if Massa :husetts representatives
will indulge in Billingsgate they must ex-
being generally read, and its outrageous Ian
guage commented on. The excitement won't last
q week longer. The first flash from Cincinnati will
kill it, for Charles Sumner is not now, nor never can
be- in the hearts Of the people. He has not the ele
ments Of greatness or popularity in him, and he is
neither great nor popular.
Perhaps, as you cannot possibly gather any cor
rect idea Of this meeting from the Boston papers,
and as great capital will undoubtedly be made of it
by the abolition prints its true history may be &C
ceptable to you. II was conceived by Mr.. Hamilton
Willis, q gentleman who, whatever may be his sens
tin ents for the colorcd race collectively, has no
more regard for them personally than others about
town. This Mr.. Willis took the responsibility of
collecting list Of names calling for the meeting,
which was read on Friday night in fremont Tenn
pie BY his exertions many OF the speakers we're in
duced TO appear, and the affair was mainly owing 70
him.
A number Of the officers Of the meeting were
chosen without their consent and one-third OF the
persons named Vice Presidents were not present.
may cay Also that you will see the name OF nearly
every newspaper writer in Boston included in its
list Of officers Charles Hale, of the Advertiser,
was, OF all named the only one who appeared. A
meeting conducted such principles could not be
expected to be very effective; and many were az
tonahed, particularly the abolitionists, that such
gentle measures were adopted. Indeed, i can tell
you that some Of the resolutions prepared we're
omitted, a. being too warlike. need not give you
any detailed account Of tie meeting-the newspa
pers will furnish that infinitely enough. I may say,
though, that Governor Gardner was the only man
who made any capital ont Of the demonstration.
he, by the way, took occasion to hint that
he had been personally assailed just as
Mr.. Butler had been, and was hissed
for bis freedom OF speech The meeting
was anything but successful. All the enthusiasm
manifested was for the speakers, most OF whom are
public fayorites. On the whole, IL was certainly
feeble demonstration, compared with many that
have been held in the same hall for other purposes.
This morning great many people were badly sold
who went TO the Hollis street church to hear the
Rev Mr.. Conway, well known ant-slavery preach.
er OF Washington. They expected sectional ha
rangue but were disappointed. The reverend gen
teman preached on a religious subject.
The assault upon Sumner will be God-send to
the niger wors6ippers who have their anniversary
meetings this week. What thunder IT will be for
them
ought to have mentioned that the committee Of
arrangemehtss for the Saturday evening meeting
waited upon Rufus Choate and asked his presence.
He without any answer to the special inquiry, asked
+" Will gutta percha stick hurt muchy'