The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-15
The News from Observation-Disclosures Es'
banding OF the Vigilance Coosrsittee.

banding of the Vigilance CoOsraittee.
The intelligence which is brought US from
California by the mails of the George Law is of
an important character. 1t appears that on the
10Th Of August last, after grand military
parade the Committee of Vigilance, at San
Francisco, voluntarily ceased TO exist It's
respective companies were disbanded, its Mill
tary organization was dissolved, and nothing
remained of it but an Executive Committee of a
merely nominal character. One of its latest acts
was the release of Judge Terry, whose victim
having recovered from what was deemed a mortal
wound, stood no longer in the way Of the ICdges
discharge. The termination OF these difficulties
was aos marked by any further disorders-evefy-
thing went on as if nothing extraordinary had
happened. The existence of the Committee
was bat political parenthesis which is now left
cut, without injuring the sense Of anything The
sIsop- John Adams arrived in port few
days previously TO this event, and her CEN
rsaDGef used his influence for the release of
Judge Terry; bat the Committee acted uFon
their own motion and in their own way.
Thus has ended q very remarkable phase. net
only IN the history Of California, but in the his
tory Of the United States. Those who predicted
a reign .sf terror Or suspected the underlying
of spirit Of dgunion and secession, have been,
we are happy to sly, greatly mistaken. II is to
be Observed that this spontaneous movement OF
the people of San Francisco lie peculiar OBJ
ject. II was not 10 create, but 10 put down dis
order; not sS overthrow, but to secure the supre,
macy Of the laws: not to do apy,violence to the
State, but 10 preserve tranquility. Their ar
langements, though effective, weTe merely pre-
cautionary; and moderate couuse's-wonderful
as il may appear-markcd their proceedings
during their tlsee months admir-. stration. IF
ab olute necessity, If the most appalling dan
per, If perfect insecurity Of life and property be
any excuse for the assumption of extraordinary
powers The friends CT the Conmittee claim that
they arc fully excused. Tie readiness with
which they have lad them down certainly vim
dicatcs the honesty snd integrisy OF their mo.
tiyes AZ all events 81 important problem Las
been satisfactorily solved, which affected the
American character and threatened the stability
OF Oar institutions
1t vas supposed by many that the dissolution
OF the Committee would MOI have taken place
until after The election, at which it was expected
their inhtp nee would BE- paramount and ;mmun-
ty secured; but they did not wait for that; they
have submis.ed themselves TO the calm judgment
Of the people, and California is again tranquil
The people having successfully tried their
strength, viii, W trust, be able to sustain them
selves from any i&turc outragcs Ivy an appeal to
the ballot box. and the exercise Of their ordinary
and legitimateremelies. Itappears that our insti-
tutions are, after all, triumphant over all the Incl
dental difficulties which belong to politicalcommu-
mites; that the masses rely on them as their
best and safesi citadel aud that their loyalty to
the constitution and laws usder which they have
been bred and rrospered il proof against every
trial: their hrs, and lat thought in every danger.
Whatever Instructions President Pierce and
Secretary Davis may have cent oat TO the federal
authorities in California II Is fair TO suppose that
they will prove nulity when they reach their
destination II is not probable that the admins.
ration, in the present position Of affairs, will aid
the local authorities ii making any arrests or in
creating any greater hostility to the democratic
party than now prevails in that state.