The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-05-15

in their wild shouts, 10 take my life.
After their departure the timid hotel
keeper advised me to leave, expressing
fears of the safety of his house, should l
remain. The condition of my horse, as
well as the danger to which my attempt
at leaving for home would subject me TO,
forbade that | should come home that
night. l chose to run the risk of being
caught in than killed outside the village.
Having been slightly acquainted With Mr..
H. ID. PosT, a we'll known and respected
citizen of the village, and editor of the
Register, / asked to be shown to his res
idence, believing that he would see that
guiltless of any crime save a feeling sym
pathy and deep regret for the condition of
my adopted country he would protect
me from the violence of the rabble that
threatened my life. TO his amiable wife,
|, as an aged man and father, tender my
most sincere but insufficient thanks, for
to her kind care and advice | (perhaps)
owe my existence. was advised to
procure warrant for the arrest of the
leaders. | proceeded TO Justices Office
to do so, but while there the mob traced
me and forced him to open his barred and
bolted door, giving him one minute to
comply with their demand. While the
Justice was unbarring the door escaped
through a back room of the store, and
stayed in the house of friend ill morn
ing. l summoned one of the party be-
fore Magistrate in this town, had the
case tried by Jury who could not agree
upon verdict | will not here alude
to the motives that governed some mem
bers of that jury. The fanaticism that
plunged both sections of our country in
to deadly conflict glowed in the breasts
Of some.
AS citizen who has recorded ON
HIGH an oath to support and protect the
constitution / have never, during thirty
one years residence in the Republic, prov
en- false to either. | labored, in my
humble sphere, to save the Union at a
time when IL could be Saved, and am now
though nearing my grave, ready to take
up arms in defence of that constitution
In common with all Union-loving mer
and patriots, l am for the prosecution O
the war, tie defence of our national hon
or, the protection of that flag that shield
ed me when oppression drove me from
the home of my fathers. But if those
to whose hands the enforcement of The
laws, the defence of the constitution, i,
entrusted make it war of sections, or o
party, then am and will be opposed
openly, avowedly and deterininedly op
posed TO it. If it be a crime in me to bt
a democrat and a Unionist, | am, witt
millions of others in the North and West
ready and willing to expiate for my crime
as becomes an American citizen. If il
be the intention of the dominant party
in this State TO make war upon peaceful
citizens, because holding to opinions diff
ferent to theirs, let the declaration %
forth, that we may not be taken unpre
pared. If men can not bury party diff
ferences for the sake and preservation o
our common country, the salvation o
which l hold to be high above all politi
cal or mercenary considerations, the soon
or we dissolve and disband our armies tb,
better. If the Chicago platform is to b.
made the religion of the country, l shall
be non-conformist, hereto.
1 know that my words may be dis
tastefully reasonable TO some thin-skin
ned fanatics, but as / alone am account
able for the sentiments herein contained
trust you will interpose no objections L
their publication.
For the Union and Constitution,
lam, Messsr. Editors, yours respectfully
WILLIAM McLAUGHLIN.
Grand Haven, May IL, '61.