Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-24
TIE RICHMOND WHIG.
Correspondence of the Whig.
FROM NEW YORK.
NKw YORK, June 9th, 1851

/
NEw YORK, June 9th, 1861.
| To the Editor Of the Wig:
The tyranny and terrorism pracsed in this city at th
present time and the deep seated maevoence shown
wards southerners resdrg here have been so generally
denied by the Northern men, that l depart from 10y
usual habit of silenty watching the of events
and send you the account Of scene which witnessed
here some two days ago.
Unders andng that Southern physician of eminer
here was to be assaled for his political feelings al
diveu into an explanation and apology before the Medi
cal Academy of this city, determined to be present
aud accordingly, at o'clock, P. NJ, at the hall o
meeting This body, let me remark, ia scientific soc
ety. composed Of the most eminent men Of the North,
ard meets monthly. When got there the room was
crowded TO the rsfters and all seemed eager for some
ccreng sport. The meeting called to order
motion 70 90 into committee Of the whole adopted,
ard truly savage looking NJ. D. by the name of Den-
bold cell to the chair His fst act was 10 order ell
who were OF Fellows of the Academy out Of tho room
ard The doors locked. Many, perhaps fifty sixty in
eroFers drawn to the spot by report Of the affair." went
out, but yur correspondent kept quiet, determined to
see ard expose any foul play.
The chair now appoioted secretary 10 supersede the
regularly appointed officer who, learned was the cul-
prt against whom all this mysterious proceeding was d..
recled. The domination being accepted by the society
young, gentlemany man, who was seated
chair the president, and yielding hs place to
the new eppootee, took scat amcng the members. A
gentleman 1ext me informed me that this was Dr. Gil.
lard Thomas, the person who had proved obnoxious
lie is quite young man, Of qle., Southern demesnor
was dressed III deep mourning, and although evidently
much gcyed at the painful prominence given bim
ed wonderfully coo and collected. OF the entire body
he seemed the most youthful and though all eyes were
turned upon him, he appeared the csmest in the
house. l could not help warming towards him, for be
seemed entirely Ieudess and alone amidst multitude
whose looks told determination to crush him. There
vas something in his manner hoTeger that told they
would have their hands fol if they intended to humble
him.
An angry and violent discussion now took place to
the rroprety of allowing cne against whom grave
charges existed to hold an olc, Of honor in the Acad
cpy, and gradually these charges we're developed.
They all came under the slme head-he fympathized
With tr-iors and rebels. As nan and physician
b., bitterest foes praised him. but he sympathzed
with the South would not be driven frightened into
a denial o such sympathy and therefore should be elm
in,ted from the society Over this they wraDgled for
two hours few taking Dr.. Thomas's part, and one,
Dr. Doueeaa deaouaci1g his persecution in eloquent
and singing terms Apparently afraid Of exQeing one
against whom no charges could be su5stantiaed, the
Oldest AID mos; eminent men present then addressed
personal appeals to Dr.. Thomas, urging him TO recant
aud apologize Or they expressed it. explain his po-
stion" Through all this tempest the man about whom
rad arisen sat an gaconcerned spectator apparently
thinking Of something disconnected with the scene.
AG,r two or three bad appealed him, he ros', and
though: was about to yield to the pressure; and, al
though l should have regretted it, should not have
bll,a,d him-tLe contest was so unequal As he rose
there was a round of applause and when it subsied he
stated 10 a clear and manly voice, that he denied the
jurisdiction Of the body which attempting to try
am tha, he would lot submit their interference will
bis political any more than with bis religious ccHvic-
ous, and would neither plead before .hcl nor "e1pl-u
bis position" lie asked icr vote, aud declared Bis
wiux1ess to abide by the wishes Of the majority and
yoe being taken, to the shame Of the Academy be i.
recorded, i. ws9 largely ss'irs; him.
rev series OF ardent personal spp'a again OCCUR
red, tbe president among others, urging Dr. Thomas to
explain; ard Dr. James Watson, after lauding him 20
he skies, almost begged him 20 help the Aca@ my ou:
Of dilemma by bO*ins in Omission before it. Silence
Being r@.-ored, Dr.. 7. again rose-apd .ow thought
inc game was up; Sut le locked round, caught his
eye. sad as once changed my mind. be again dettd
the night of the Academy try hiul, refused to yrld
TO mob, and resgning bis oace, withdrew, leaving
behind MIN discounted aid sheepish-looking tribunal
Of bout 100 men.
tried to see and become acquainted with him after
wards, but he had gone. From member present, how
ever learned these facts that Dr. Thomas IS native
of Coirmti; S c aud has ben fss.dedt IN New York
eight years that although not yet thdy years of age,
he has a,eucd 70 ordinary emneuce here and abroad
that be has made some gres. additions 10 ob3terc sci
euce ard art By which many lives have been saved, and
chat be Las always been most Popular and hghy-es-
teemed man. But although he spoke thus OF the ac-
oused be evidently thought the action Of the Academy
perfectly jlstifable if Dr. Thomas really sympathized
with the South.
l have given you full account OF this disgraceiul
procedure for the papers here have kept perfectly silent
abou it and it should not be aowed 90 unrecordtd
The basis Of the whole aflir evidently desire to
remove dangerous rival from the field.
A Ncr.hern mob might thus prostitute the name OF
paio ism 10 base ends, but scientific body-never.
Hoping soon to be on the soil Of the Old Dominion, !
remain Yours, respectfully,
6 of Va.