The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-29
In the centre of Brenha place, bearing the following in



tina, the scenes enacted in the Plaza yesterday we're not
the result Of any orders issued by the Commttec II
was admitted by every man VINO attended tne meeuns
that rowdyem yesterday attained its climax, and the
only conclusion that be drawn from this fact is,
that the Executive Committee have not the power TO
control their armed ninons. There nothing wrong
assembage of the people in the Plaza TO discuss the
exciting questions of the day. The people had right TO
ASSEMBLED II was for the acknow Judgment of this right
that our foreiahers bied. But the Committee will dis
the acts of the Plaza mob-hey will state to the
public that such proceedings could receive their coun-
tenance-that fearing that such might possibly
occur they caused pacards posted all the city
warning the members Of the Vigilance Committee TO keep
ment had attained its height they caused pacards TO be
placed in conspicuous places, calling upon the members
Of the Committee TO come out from the f ana enJoin
ing order; but what viii ell this special pleading amount
to? Outrages committed, and will be AZ best but
very poor Satisfaction for the people, whose deares
rights trampled under foot and their persons out
ragged that the Committee did not expressly
der it. was enough for them that il was done-well
Comnittee One thing is certain that il the Vigilance
Committee had not been in existence such dsgracefui
sponsibe for acts Of their minons and the poor plea
that they did not authorize viii have but very little
effect the minds Of rejecting men, except 70 strength
the conviction that even IN the case Of the vigilance
A power behind the throne,
and that power is the twenty-five hundred bayonets
which the Committee have distributed among their sup
porters But TO our report Of the sayings and dongs Of
yesterday
At the appointed time large number of persons had
assembled oni upper side of the Plaza The preeon
eerted movement TO break up te meeting was at once
observable The Committee stated above, had caused
pacards to be posted about town warning the members
of the Committee not TO enter the Plaza during the time
the meeting was being ed. This order, 10 certain
extent was obeycd, but on Brenham place, out
side the ratings and the tops of the houses on the
Plaza fronting eastward large crowd was observable
and state that they succeeded very efectualy
In the object for which they congregated. At the
close of the meeting there might have been i've thousand
people assembled the Plaza. The houseops and bal
COMES all around also filed 1t will not, OF course,
tanning law and order. or whatever material composed,
the meeting large. We do not pretend, however,
be such procents in physiology as TO be able to de-
termne, with any degree OF accuracy the component
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING.
Shortly after O'Clock Mr. CAMPBELL got
up the lower part of the ratings the upper part
OF the Plaza and called the meeting to order. He said
Gentlemen You are aware that this meeting was
called for the purpose of sustaining the law and for the
purpose Of expressing opinions that subject 1t
will trust be conducted temporarily, all meetings of
American citizens should be.
voIcr-Get up on box in order that we can hear
You.
Judge CAMPBELL move that Major Roman be request
ed to take the chair.
The motion having been put there arose storm of
ayes from the persons in the Plaza and "Noes from
those assembled on Brenham place. There must have
been something rresstbly funny in this expression OF
dissent from the fact that very general laugh succeeded
along BRENNAN place and on the house tops. A great
many persons confessed that they not asute enough
10 discover the point
Judge CAMPBELL remarked that the opposition came
the meeting, and declared the motion carried.
At this stage of the proceedings, was deemed advisa
bic TO down somewhat towards the centre OF the
Plaza in order that all present might have opportu
nifty 10 hear what fell from the speakers The meeting
was accordingly organized under the liberty poe which
stands somewhere the centre of the Plaza. From
this pole the national ensign usually hoated 1t had
been, however removed some time before AT this point
Judge Campbell, mounted on box, and having by in
qury ascertaned that Major Roman not present. pro-
posed the name OF Hon. James Wade for Chairman.
A scene precisely similar to that which occurred on
rroposion Major Roman Chairman follow
Mr. WADE mounted upon the box and said =
Fellow citizens, have to return you my thanks (Con
fusion cheers, kissing and groans.) Il was supposed
that this 10 be an orderly meeting called for the
purpose Of maintaining the laws, and hope that those
who Will maintain the law. 1t has been said, fellow
citizens and published broadcast throughout the land by
the hrelg presses that San Francisco was in favor OF
those who have organized TO subyert the constitution and
the liberties Of the people; that every in San Fran
cisco favored the movement and that no man dared to
raise his voice against it. This meeting to-day has been
called to give the lie TO that Charge and to prove that
there people in California and people in San Fran
cisco, who are still loyal 70 the coasusuon-su loyal TO
the laws.
Avoicr-Yes, the ballot box suffers.
Mr. WADE, continuing said People who are in favor
Of liberty speech, and Of preserving the liberty which
these men attempting TO take from US now VIII
call the meeting TO order and will entertain any mo
ton that may be made for the purpose OF carrying out its
offsets.
gentleman who had climbed to a very conspicuous
position the piers Of the gate in the rear Of the
meeting here shouted at the top Of his nngs Friends
OF the Vig Committee you are requested 10 come
out Of the Plaza, and we can then see to whom they
belong"
Alderman Green was then elected Vice President and
Edward b. McGrotty Secretary.
MOB RULE ILLUSTRATOR.
Judge CAMPBELL then mounted the stand and was re
ceivcd with storm Of cheers and Kisses when quiet
was restored he sad:-Fcllow citzens-the sight see
before me is and interesting. Heretofore, among
American citizens when a man arose to vndicaie The
laws and the constitution he has always met with corlai
support.
Judge CAxIgEl1-Lei Us peacefully as American cih-
yeug
v,scrEWhat about Yankee suivan2 (Great. laugh.
ter and exutation in Brenhain place)
Judge CAMPBELL find myself in quite curious posi-.
ton. had supposed that was ireeman--l lind that
slave. (Sosterous laughter on Brenham rlacel
have not even the poor privilege to know who are my
masters; privilege which the meanest slave on
Southern plantation enjoys We have among Us an or
gaizaton which it s said has been formed for the pur
pose OF doing what thc courts and the officers Of the law
have not done.
Judge CAMrnI-lt has been said that justice could
not be administered here.
VoIcE-That's o fact
Judge CAmPBrlI-If justice has been administered
here the officers Of the law have been honest in the
a S e been dom. g would ask
is the excuse for this called revolution What gen
temen the principles that you are called upon to
maintain Is said that the Judges OF the courts IN san
Francisco dishonest
A TTl.SToTIAN VoiCE-Yes.
JUDGE CANPB1I-Is Judge Norton an honest mani
Every one Of the men who have banded together TO
overthrow the laws viii admit that he Is au honest and
able lawyer Let us look, then, at Judge Hager He
has eNhibited--
A yoioE-What about freedom
Judge CAMrBl1-Thc only complaint Is, that he has
been severe Has not Judge freedom administered
the law fairly? Look the record OF convictions and
punishments in this court deny that there has been
| any failure in the administration Of the law.
At this of the proceedings good deal Of excite
men prevailed. Some enthusiastic individual mounted
on the railing and exhibited long pole tin box
which by sort Of poetic license was said TO represent
patent ballot box At the sight Of IL the crowd on Bren
ham place cheered and eered and laughed and laughed
and Jumped about. Another individual exhibited pla
card on pole on which was inscribed the words
S--.->.~~<
FRIENDS OF VIGILANCE COMMITTEE,
COME OFT SQUARE.
This rse however had precisely the effect which Is
was intended to have. They did not come out and by
this fmsy pretext Vigilance Committee will doubt
less endeavor clear their skirts Of the disgrace which
| will attach 10 the doings Of yesterday.