The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-22

person referred to- sought Casey and demanded the
OF the author OF this letter which Casey declined giving
ON the ground THAI he aged and the head OF
family Casey declared that sooner than disclose his
he ready and did assume the responsibility himself
Threats used by Thomas King that lie would compel
the giving up OF the name and this followed as
port has it. BY haunting Casey through the city with the
intention OF doing him violence. This the day
James King was shot Tho Iul,4in the same evening
had article pretending to notice another party but
really an attack on Casey, mercessly showing up his
former life and suggesting il anybody would hang him
1t would DO good act and nobody would complain.
Casey went to Kings Office and protested against this
usage but was ordered out and told to show him
SELF there again What passed ut that interview Is die
rcny related by other parties who assert Casey told
King TO keep himself armed he intended attack
sired him 10 draw and defend himself and Immediately
fired, from the effects of which ne died yesterday.
For tho deliberate shooting down OF citizen in tho
streets there is Justification Unfortunately however
Is frequent occurrence in California and tho
qucnccs following this act are momentous, it may not be
out OF place for proper understanding OF present
state 10 say few words the In this tragedy
James I. Casey Is man whose antccedcnts OF
spent two years al Sing Sing Since his arrival horc h
has conducted himself about well persons who tax
part in political struggles generally do He is posscsse
Of moderate nbitiee- being far from that no /,
erate Many Of the articles appearing each Sunday Ia
tho Times were from his PEN and in addition that paper
larry sensitive tho subject Of his Imprisonment
when taxed with il on the stand Witness he stato
fearless and determined, he was dangerous enemy :
lir. King had repeatedly said he would not accept
srovcd by what appeared in the B,as~in He pleaded
the fact Of having wife and children Interested in his
life whom he was not at liberty to deprive Of their sup
port He would not hght act the hggressor In any
case but he was no less determined TO all the
he could in resisting IL attacked Always ready to receive
any ono who desired satisfaction In banterng Tone he
at one time with the greatest sang froid, wanted to
know what was delaying his enemies as he was
dementcd Frcnchman stopped a gentleman on the
street to inquire If he was James King Of William tho
same time holding pistol in his hand. When Mr. King
was Informed Of this circumstance nc took occasion to
state If this person ever accoscd him in the
he would put him beyond the help Of man. II is unne,
cessary TO say that Mr. King always went armed and
any one seeking reparation for the injurious publications
in his paper would DO equally prepared for extreme
sures, IN word, the encounter when II took place
must DO fatal TO either party Tho survivor would be the
ono who had the first shot. This consideration had
public indignation were willing to shoot King cooly down,
or let him have an opportunity by confronting his as
Mr. King remarked, when his pistol removed from
his person. Casey gave no chance" 1t would appear
he was so terror stricken when called to draw his
weapon that he had no power to rctalate.
On the evening OF the encounter the excitement in
tense 1t would be impossible to describe the frenzy Of
tho large crowds that filed the streets. In every dircc
ton the authorities and mob despatching couriors
to assemble their adhercnts. Everything denoted
pending attack on the county m where the prisoner was
confined All the force the city authorities could raise
and among them were some Of most respectable
citizens--was concentrated at tho building, waiting
receive the assaans. To the determined action the
Mayor and Sheriff, in taking every precauon maintain
order is due the credit of averg dreadful catastrophe
which, in loss Of life no equal could be found in the
mails Of popular tumults.
Among the mercantile classes the editor Of the Bulletin
had many friends He had, in his own way, ondcavored
TO create reforms which had their confidence and ap-
probation. must be mentioned, the means used
continual assaults character and en personal
malice added yirnlencc to their tone II Fri ing
he mado many bitter enemies who only dclel ID
from seeking satisfaction by the ground taken by King,
stated above. These gentlemen convoket lo v.si-
lance Committee and from the fact it readily DONE
il may be inferred such action predetermined months
chants withdrew their subscriptions and advertisements
from the Herald because it was bold enough to oppose
ally appeal to the mob, or the revival Of Vigilance
Committee For the latter proceeding there would DO
excuse could be only done to crafty revengcfu feel
ings and would be productive Of great evils Cascys
was isolated, having connection whatever with any
organized attempts to rob murder The provocaton
came from the wounded man. and thousands expected
this result, from tho violent of King. Former
committees brought together for self protection but
there necessity to afford incentives to tho dissolue
to perpetrato wrong and pander TO their morbid
desire for excitement Many murders more atrocous
and oil blhcker character have been committed and
traordnary action taken In fact seldom day pass
cs we do not read Of similar affairs One Of tho strongest
arguments for Lynch law IS that criminals have escaped
punishment through tho conniyancc Of officers Justice
The true cause why ow Offenders punished Is tn,
who viii agree to lind verdict in case that enrrosso.
attention like this Of Caseys Merchants the VIII,
now advocate and form vigilance Committees use every
prctcncc to escape jury duty and leave it be done BY
others. il persons accused Of crime punished
the merchants who are never without scruples "a 1
forming opinions where their business requires attention
are to blame.
The idea scdulousy fostcred in the minds OF tho pco
pie that the law was Intellectual and its officers the abct
tors Of criminals In reference 10 their request voun
tecrs tho Vigilance Committee enabled
thousand men, who were speedily and armed Tho
Governor OF the State his arrival far forgot his high
trust enter into negotiation with the Executive Com
mttee and consented to the admtance Of guard from
the popuace into tho Jail watch the sheriff in the dis
charge his duties This was the wedge that caused our
whole political structure to give way. Coupled with this
concession was the humiang condition entered into by
nf tha tafta a
Of tho sub committee they Called they consider
ed themselves at liberty to obtain possession the prison.
by force II 1t were necessary On last Sunday tho Jail
taken possession Of and tho prisoners led the com
mittee When that day came all expecta.
ton OF what occurred. On tho Sabbath greater number
Of could BIO gathered whose employ cnt would pre-
vent thom during the week; and besides II for
gotten that on sunday like acts were accomplished in
years gone by Tho Sheriff. deserted by tho military and
citizens, loft alternative but unconditional sur
render. Two hundred and fifty rcsolue men could have
held the building against the whole array sweed it
by numbers who would have kept away resistance
TO be made but they could not DO found The mill
tia companies after tho first evening" with one honora
bio exception either disbanded fatty refused to assist
the Sheriff and that officer, with few Deputies was left
to meet tho storm Tho pose ctdtus who guarded the
Jail for night Indignantly refused 10 do any longer
when the guard from tho Vigilance Committee were ad-
mtted Tho many strange faces to be in the sity
not left to its own resources The large mercantile
houses were active in persuadng people TO join their
league Money has been contributed for tho Of 900
mskets all flint locks and reported TO belong TO George
Law. The influence Of merchants their customers and
employees forced hundreds under their command These
nforced by tho members Of hc American party
who among the most prominent leaders In the de-
monstration Notwithstanding all this display and conf
dence, vigorous and determined magistrate would have
preserved tho laws from being subyered Governor
Johnson issued no proclamation calling good citizens
to rally to the support Of order Ho stood mute and pas
sye whio the preparations TO take the Jail going
Since the commencement Of these troubles we are
living in state of the greatest excitement. Business Is
completely paralyzcd. Rumors of every. kind flying
about Naught spoken or thought OF save what the VI
eansc Committee propose doing Bodies OF armed men
NOR Is abroad that spies arc noting down the words that
drop from suspected persons to report at headquarters
to this but ut present TOO strong forco foot sup
port tho authority of the Executive Committee.
AS there Is effect without cause the prompt spring
ing into existence Of this formidable body armed men
must be attributed to other and different than tho
shooting Of King No sensible could doubt but that
ii was all settled beforehand A reproach against our
young state Is the presence Of largo number OF murder