New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-24
n yxnnRE, MAYOR,


We have prided ourselves on our Fernando as
tho Mirror Of Magistrates, in which all other
municipal magnates might dress themselves out
in iLcir Little brief authority. We did not be-
lete in the old classic apophthegm, I" III eviris
"Hgno Mercprips'-that such patron OF rcgues
and sbaipers could be made out OF any Wood
but such as our metropolis Affords We had
trusted that 10 brother could come near his
throne. judge of our modification and grief,
then, ut finding that the palm of civic virtue is
like to be disputed With hun BY the Urban Pretor
of the City of Notions, that stitch upon three
hills, Not that we fear that it will be actually
rayished from his grasp-ftw things are that he
bias once laid hold ol-but ii is Notifying to
know any rival dares even to measure himself
with him. 1t shakes ones faith in Cnes idols.
Ii makes one feel that though New York alone
may supply the Wood out of which such mer-
curial masterpiece as We enjoy can DO carved,
yet lesser municipalities, enSOus of our blessings,
NAV muster material for a blOckhead, cut am
bitiously, though awkwardy, in bis image.
The name of the phenomenon who has excited
these emotions in our usually tranquil bosom Is
Wisbtman, and he has been but lately chosen TO
predominate over the civic destinles Of Boston.
His eminent fitness for the post he holds has
been shown in his admirable views as to the way
in which tho peace of his city should be main
tanned. He was chosen, We understand, by the
united efforts Of the Democratic and Bell-EVerett
parties, the motto of which last-and we presume
the first too-is the Union the Constitution,
- and the Enforcement Of the Laws" His con-
duct eyiuces wise insight into the Constitution
such az neither Kent, nor Story, nor even Web
ster ever reached. as well o. sound views as to
the enforcement of the Laws. That much mis-
understood instrument contains among ITS Adj
ditioual Articles one declaring that Congress
shall make no law abrdglng the freedom oil
speech. or of the press or the right Of the Peo.
ple peaccabl, to assemble, and to petition Gov
ernment for a redress Of grievances. This has
been violently perverted by designing disturbers
of the public peace Into an intention on tss part
Of the makers and acceptors Of the Constitution
that anybody who pleased might speai, prnt, or
assembe themselves together to consider %
grievances. Nothing can be more PrePosteroua
than such O gloss. The meaning according 10
Whitman. clearly is that Congress shall have no
such power, the regulation eli these matters
being among the rights reserved by the Sovereign
People TO Themselves in their original supreme
capacity. Can any thing be clearer than tlis ca
position
Now il seems that there il pestient sct Of
fellows in Boston, and by no means confined TO
that city neither, calling Themselves AbolltionIsts,
who claim the right under the mistaken con-
struc,on Of the Constitution just rePrehendcd, to
sueak. print, aud assemble themselves together
for the discussion Of the Institution oil Slavery,
matter which clearly does not concern them IN
the least, having never had any Kind oil con-
nection with national affairs, or which, II Il did,
they have no business to NEEDLE with, without
the permission Of the Sovereign People hrst had
and obtained The Sovereign People, it seems, had
duly EXPRESSED their will and pleasure that these
varets should not again disturb the quiet OF
Boston with their vain babbllngs and railing &C
cuaatiopa. This edict Of thers had been properly
certified unto aud published, yet these impractl-
cable agtators had the assurance to 90 to our
Model Mayor aud ask him whether he would
protect them in meeting 70 be held IN direct
defiance Of it! After tbs character We have
given Of that admirable officer our readers vii
net be surprised to hear that h fatty refused to
do ANYTHING 70 grossly irregular. lie laid
down the great fundamental principle
which undcrlies this branch Of political
morality, that o meeting to discuss subject
which might excite serious and perhaps violent
opposjtion ought not TO be held. Now, what Gun
be clearer than, il no subjects are allowed to be
publicly discussed but such as everybody is
agreed about, that there can be no danger oil
disturbance of the peace, which II il the hrst
duty of q Mayor to maintain - But he wen!
further than this enuncaton of hs great prncl'
ple, and declared that if it wero violated, aud
disturbance ensued, he should arrest those who
called and conducted the meeting as nggressort
on the public peace! Now, this il taking the
bull by the horns in the only way by which 1t
can be effectualIy kept out Of such China-shop''
and ull the damage likely otherwise TO ensue 70
the brittle crockery of tho Union aud the Con
stituivn entirely soyed.
This Incompatible magistrate went further yet,
and gave practical exposition OF the true
meaning Of the enforcement Of the laws by
virtue of which he was partly or wholly elected.
He intrepidly ayowed bis indifference to the fact
whether the proposed meeting vas legal one OF
not. adding that certain things beyond the reach
"of the law must be controlled by Other means,
(Which it might be his duty to employ" This
LOYAL recognition of the ultimate appeal to the
people rising in their majesty is not wholly with
out precedent, even in this State. About fifteen