The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-12
l.. O. r s..
Startling NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of
the Law and Order Regulators"-A
Vigilance Committee Formed-The
Knights Of the Golden Circle
Eclipsed-Dangling Prospects for
Evil Doers-What the Hang
ing Committee" Will Do.

smoke Is generally accepted maxim; that venge-
full purpose is sure to undere reiterated expression
OF popular dispeasure ~ equally true. Politicians
may vainly vapor about abstract rights ana wrongs
without innaming the public mind; but when the
air becomes thickened with the deep mutterings OF
an oppressed and insulted people, free but yet
enslaved selfgovernng, bat ruled with despotic
sway; intelligent and law-ablding but controlled by
ignorance and swamped by crime, the smouldering
fires OF popular wrath are liable to break forth at any
moment with devastating fury. Less volatile than
the French, less plegmatic than the English, our
people are, ABOVE all others, patient. Something
OF the sloicai Indifference to consequences which
marks the conduct of the people OF Turkish
town when the plague fastens its deadly fangs upon
it has been hitherto manifested in the nactlOn OF
our citizens towards the correction OF the evils
which are quickly banishng all healthy political ffe
from among us. The Turk views the spread Of the
plague with horror and loathing, but instead OF
cleansing his filthy streets and SO checking the
spread of the contagious disease, cries allah has
willed it and silently awaits his inevitable doom.
The respectable New Yorker, VINO views with indig
nation and disgust the foul corruption OF tho public
offices, the suoornation OF justice the immunity
Of crime the discontinue OF honesty the triumph
OF rufilanlsm over law and order among US,
but who s too apatnetic or too selfish to
protection, deserves equally with the Turk
to suffer the penalty OF his indifference. Those
who have paid the most attention to the alarming
condition OF the metropolis ana most capable Of
pointing out the cause ana suggesting proper re-
medy blame less the rowdy element OF society,
which Is the governing power IN our city, than the
respectable citizens whose callousness and I'M
American apathy have rendered the decentralization
OF our municipal government easy Of accomplish
ment That this is just few viii deny for as the we'll
disposed, fortunately, outnumber the vlciously IN
cIined among us, 1t Is in the power OF the former
TO destroy the evi influence OF the latter and to
compel good government and assert the majesty OF
the law by the simple agency OF the ballot.
While however, the apathetic conduo OF our
citizens, In view OF the crimes against law and
order daily being committed with lmpunity, ID
greatly to be deplored, there is much danger OF
TOO sudden and violent reaction. When moral means
seem to be insufficient; when argument ridicule
and vehement denunciatlon fan OF effect people
are apt to dwell upon the possibilities OF physical
force and learn to contemplate with satisfaction any
project, however sanguinary and unlawful, which
promises an opportunity for revenge.
VIGILANCE COMMITTEE SUGGESTED.
For some time past vague rumors prevailed that
number Of citizens had resolved TO meet together
to discuss the feasibility OF bringing certain
criminals, unwhipped Of justice and shielded
by corrupt judges TO speedy punishment. II was
the first whisper Of the long talked OF vigilance
committee. The frequent anu outrageous instances
OF the insecurity OF life and property, the unDush-
Ing conduct of high officials IN ro6bng the public
treasury OF vast sums of money the amazing frauds
at the recent elections, kept the subject alive. Cti-
zens discussed the matter earnestly, and the his
tory OF san Francisco was raked up and encourage
ment drawn from the fact that 800 determined ctl
zens effectively combined and finally rid that once
lawless city OF all the thieves and vagabOnds by whom
IL governed. The fst animation the public had
of such dangerous measure being In contempla-
ton was Through q card In the HERALD from Mr.:
Charles Van Dusen, otfeung the sum OF
$4,000 TO establish vigilance committee In
this city. The card attracted considerable atten-
ton. Many persons found in 1t FOOD for serious
reflection, but the people generally considered IT u
huge Joke. There Is now. however abundant proof
that the offer VI money was made III good faith and
1t seems highly probable that Mr.. Van Dusen VIII
speedily be called upon Tor his check for the
ORGANIZATION OF THE L. o. H.
Secrecy being essentially necessary to Il successful
organzauon Of the proposed Illegal society, 1t was
determined by those gentlemen who first moved In
the matter to begin by forming an organization on
the model OF the Knights Of the Golden Circle with
grips and PASSWORDS, and name OF sufficient
ambiguity hide Its character from the unintiated.
All sorts OF suggestions were made ana many in
formal meetings were held IN different places III the
CITY for tue purpose OF arranging all the minor de-
tails preparatory to general meeting OF all who had
subscribed TO the preliminary OATH imposed upon
them.
About halfpast nine O'Clock last night a number
OF gentlemen stroled into the rotunda OF the Astor
House. ana, having mingled with the crowd went out
again, one by one, These were speedily followed by
several gentlemen who had been lounglng about for
some time before, SO that in few minutes the
crowd III the rotunda was considerably diminished.
As soon AS they reached the street some got into
stages others giided round the block into the Sixth
avenue cars, and several stepped out Drisky with
the apparent intention OF walking up town. me OBJ
jective point Of OIL however was Blocker street.
In the upper room OF the partially unoccupied
house No. = In tnat thoroughfare, ut ten O'Clock
the entire party met IN COUNCIL.
CHAMPAGNE AND SECRECY.
Extraordinary precautions were taken to secure
secrecy, but as all illegal enterprises OF the sort
somebody Is sure TO talk too much when treed from
the restraint of the secret chamber and unduly
cited with wine, IL was IN this instance. gen.
tieman who was charged with wine anu patriotism
uDwittlngly 'iet the Cat out of the bagS while in
conversation with friend at the st. Nicholas Hotel
after the meeting, and the consequence is that the
HERALD is enabled to lay before Its reason
ably concise account OF the proceedings OF the Law
and order Regulators.
THE MEETING.
AS soon as doorkeeper had been appointed the
chairman, a tall military looking personage, dressed
IN black and having his face partially covered with
q mask, raped on the table with his knucKes and
called the meeting TO order There were ABOUT nrty
people in the ro0m all masked and all dressed alike
young man. whose red hair stood up over his
mask and glitered in the light OF the single gas Jet
with which the room was furnished sat 1t the table
and took notes with pencil IN small red book
with gold clasps. There were no writing materials
on the table nor anywhere In the room. The first
business IN order was the calling OF the roll by the
secretary, who checked OF as each gentleman pres
ent made answer. No names were mentioned eacn
hntas