The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-05
Incident of The Riots Of 1868.

Only passing allusion is made in the
sketch of the late Professor Martin, on
our second page (Which is as modestly as
it is tenderly drawn by loving hand), to
the fact of his anti.slavery sympathies
and efforts. Enough, however, to remind
us of scene which showed conclusively
that his views in this, as in other matters,
were not mere sentiment, but of the sturdy
sort which impel to prompt action. Many
of our city readers will remember the sad
dest days that New York ever saw, when
the draft riots turned it into pandemo-
mum for several days. The riots began
on Monday, July 81, 1868. The excite
ment first manifested itself against the
negroes at work in the lower part of the
city, about noon. At that hour one was
fleeing in terror, hotly pursued by white
mscreant from the direction of the
Swamp, down Park Row, then back to
Beekman street by Theater alley, on the
long the home of The Evangelist, and
where, at that time, The Independent also
had its office. 1t was Professor Martins
habit, when down town, to look in occa-
sionally on the editors of both papers.
He, Frederick B. Perkins (then an assist
ant on The independently, the writer, and
one or two others, were pausing at the
entrance of the building when the negro
emerged from the alley, his pursuer al
most within reach of him. They had
just reached the opposite side of Beck
man street, the negro turning sharply down
toward Nassau, when MIR. Perkins, taking
in the situation at a glance, sprang into
the street, and throwing himself between
the hunted negro and his pursuer, and
doubling up his fists in the latter's face,
to strike if need be, said, You shan't
touch him For a moment the latter
seemed dszad by the sudden and bold in
reference. But recovering instantly,
some lively blows were exchanged on both
sides before the cowardly brute skunk
away. This, of course, occurred in less
time than we write it, and the street was
soon roaring with excitement, men and
boys issuing from every building, in many
cases with sleeves still rolled up or lunch
in hand. The short battle over, Mr.. Per-
kins warily took his place few feet off
in an unused doorway of the building OPP
posite, which was burned year ago. AS
it was quite evident that not all nor the
half of the crowd, that now surged up
and down, were in sympathy with his de
fence of the negro, Professor Martin,
prompt to speak and act, said, " Lst US go
over and stand by Fred. If they think
he has no friends, they will attack him "
No sooner said than done. In an instant
he was on his way across the street, and
at the post of danger. Professor Martin
is now in his grave. But to this hour we
have before US the picture framed in that
doorway "a little raised from the side
walk of 1.-the and sturdy hero, pale and
with cut over his eye, from which blood
was trickling, and by his side man
shorter and more compact of figure, his dark
curling locks and brilliant eyes flashing
above his white necktie. 1t was striking
picture-that of these two men facing an
ar cry crowd. The incident revealed the
intrepid spirit that was hidden under the
mien of the gentle scholar. The above
incident of the riots in 1868 Is from the
pen of Mr.. John Ii. Day, who was a wit
asks why did not he "pitch in" we an
swer that he is too modest to speak Of
anything which concerns himself, but we
may add Gas we do without his knowl
edge-he will not see it till he sees it IL
the paper) that during the riots-it may
have been the very same day-he saveo
the life of hunted negro, by throwing
himself alone in the way of pursuing
crowd, by which he was hustled ano
knocked down, and only by an accident
which seemed like miracle, escaped with
his life. He and Professor Martin were
made of the same stuff. The Evangelist