Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1861-01-26

THE rowaies Of Rlchoster--Eor whether clad
u rags or broad cloth, they were rowdies- having
broken up an anti-slavery meeting, another was
appointed for the next day. The three following
we copy from the Rochester Ecening Express,
Of January l2th, the hrst being a manly vindica-
ton Of free speech tho second furnishing conclu-
sivo proof Of there being spconies in :he Common
Council and the third indicating the course laid
down by those who called the Convention.
FREE SPEECH IN ROCHESTER.
We have of course our own opinion of the Alb
olitiiion parry and policy, but this is not the time
to give it expression. When the proper time
comes, we can, and possibly will produce far bet
ter arguments against the Abolitionists than any
CT the mob which assembled last night
to put them down. But arguments, for or against
Abolition, are not now pertinent to tho question.
Whatever Abolition may be, WI think no one who
was in Ccrinlhian Hall last night will deny that
there are greater evils than Abolitionism, and
worse men than Abolitionists.
The question today is, uchether zoe shall hare
free speech in Rochester, Whatever the Abolition
lists may have been before, they are to-day the
representatives Of that principle in this city, and
as such it is the duty Of all good citizens to sus-
tain them in the exercise of this right. lie. it be
remembered, it is not our conduct but that of the
mob which has given them their responsible and
advantageous position. Our people have now to
choose between freedom Of speech for these people,
and the terrors of mob law. 1t is idle to suppose
that the hydra headed monster-a mob-if suffer
ed with ~impunity on this occasion, will content
Itself with this. 1t must, in the nature Of things
interfere in our social, political and even religious
meetings, and soon become the supreme law of
the city. We might as we'll attempt
ITO set the world on fire,
To burn just so high, and no higher"
as to cultivate a mob spirit exclusively to put
down Abolitionism. The rights of all our citizens
are dependent upon the maintenance of the rights
of each. We believe we speak the feelings and
sentiments of q majority of our citizens, and
what is of more i'm portance, we KNOW that we
speak our own, when we say that freedom Of
speech must be maintained. 1t may be impolitic, it
may be unwise to attempt to hold these meetings
in the present excited state Of public opinion, but
with that we have noto nothing whatever to do it
is none of our business. After they have listened
to the advice and remonstTances of our citizens
and authorities, if they are still determined to as
semble in a quiet and peaceable manner, they
have a right to do so, and to speak as they may
see fit. We are sure that all respectable citizens
will unite to maintain this right.
While we are justly indignant at the mob spirit
in the South, which makes it unsafe for Northern
people to remain there, we can scarcely call upon
them to amend their course, till we have secured
freedom Of speech in our own city.
THE COMMON COUNCIL.
The Mayor being absent from the city, and Aid.
Angevine occupying his position by request, the
latter thoughti it prudent, in view Of the excite.
ment apparent among the citizens, some of then
b very respectable persons, to convene the Common
Council yesterday, and take an expression of theil
t views as to the means proper to be adopted to pre-
81 serve the public peace. Sixteen Alderman re
: sponded to the call. The meeting vas held in TIT
Mayors room, and Aid. Augevine was appointed
= to preside. On motion of Aid. Buell., Aid. Ange
Y vine was appointed to act as Mayor in the absence
e Of His Honor Mayor Scranton.
g Aid. Angevine briefly stated the object Of call
ing he Board together, and asked advice as tt
e what should be done in case q breach of the peace
a occurred during the evening, in consequence o
the abolition meeting.
# Aid. Gushing moved a resolution, that Mr.: Rey
nolds be requested to close his Hall against ihos
b who had engaged it for abolition meetings.
Aid. G. claimed that he was entitled to expires
his opinion on this question for he had aided
r organize one Of the first Anti-Slavery Societies i
: this State, and knew much Of the workings an
, something of the motives governing these societiet
! Very good sentiments are often made the cove
for bad designs and he knew that the Anti ST.
a very sentiment was made use of to promote obiec
which no patriotic citizen could desire to see gu
%cessful. He could not assent to The denial of II
right of free speech, but he believed there shoul
be a line drawn somewhere between what is a.
missablc and what is to be prohibited, "for Il
greatest good of the greatest number" FIR,
a speech must not be permitted to become licentio,
and depraye society, or endangcr our institution
lie did not promise to vote for the resolution
ne offered, but would like to have it discussed.
Aid. Buell. did not believe it the duty of Il
r. Common Council to advise Mr.. Reynolds as
e- what course it was proper for him to pursue. l
was master of his own property, and as capab
We Of judging as this Board, as to whether be shou
let it for one purpose or another and as TO t
be preservation of the peace, the whole power to th
be end was vested in the Executive, who has the 7
lice at his command. He was willing to repo
u confidence and power in the hands of the acti
in Mayor.
tn AID. Holmes took the position that these Al
be litionists were engaged in exciting the pub
a mind, at o time when every citizen should exc
ut himself to allay excitement, They preach disu
nd ion, and are traitors equally with those who rel
to OF the South, aud assail the forces of the Unit
States. lie would quell treason wherever it sho'
re, its head and would hang Mr.. Toombs, or a
,st one who ~practiced treason. These Abolitionis
to even devote the Sabbath to their nefarious pl
il, poses, a DAY sacred to other uses. He thought t
ell Hall should be closed against their entrance.
Aid. Woodbury. had reflected upon this subj,
d. a good deal, and had heard much said of a tire
ar. ening kind. lie was disposed to give every o
ls their Just rights, but he would net permit asse