strict adherence to "party usages," which is now pretty well understood to mean, that whatever projects a few cunning leaders shall propose, must be sustained by their adherents (for the great body of their supporters have little more control over their own destinies than cattle, which are bought and sold), at all hazards. Nay, many professing great knowledge of "party usages," have declared, that if the devil himself were nominated for office, "the party" would be bound to yield him their cordial support. The good of "the party" requires this, we are told, and to promote the good of the party, we ought to sacrifice houses, lands, friends, country, conscience, religion, and honesty.

After all that had been said and done by the citizens of Utica, application was made to the Common Council by the abolitionists for the privilege of holding their Convention in the court-room. It is un

known to the author by whom the petition was presented; but it is known that Robert M'Bride, who voted against it, did afterward say, that he had promised to present the petition. Some of the members of the council entertained doubts as to their legal right to grant the prayer of the petition, but the council were repeatedly assured by the mayor, (Gen. Kirkland, who is a lawyer,) that they had such legal right; but he was nevertheless opposed to granting it. It was accordingly resolved, by a vote of seven to four, that the said Convention should be permitted to hold their meeting in the

court-room..

Of the reasons for or against this vote, this is

neither the time nor the place to speak. None but wilful calumniators will dare to say that the characters of the individuals who voted for the resolution, are not beyond reproach. They are well known in the community where they reside, and are known only to be loved and esteemed. To the most prominent of the four individuals who voted against it, the same remarks will apply. Of the characters of the other three, nothing can be here said with certainty, for the want of information, with the exception of one, whose character, being generally known, will speak for itself.

After this vote of the Common Council, a young man runs about with an inflammatory handbill got up of course by the leading "agitators" against the proceedings of the Common Council. It was signed by many respectable citizens, some without knowing its contents (as they afterward said) who would have declined signing it if they had known the indecent language which it contained. The handbill was published, and posted about the streets in flaming colours, calling a meeting at the court room on the evening of the 17th October.*

Every effort was now used to produce the highest possible excitement, and it is not at all to be wondered at that when the meeting was assembled, the court room was crowded to overflowing, and that "Satan came also and presented himself among them." The lowest dregs of society were also there to show their indignity at the vote of the

* See Appeudix No. III.

Council. The following resolution brought forward among the rest by Mr. Beardsley, who was now called upon to carry out his "revolutionary" sentiments might foretoken the scenes which were to follow.

"Resolved, that this meeting unmoved by pas"sion or prejudice, but influenced only by a just "regard for itself and for what is due to the quiet "and repose of the whole community, WILL NOT SUB

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MIT TO THE INDIGNITY OF AN ABOLITION ASSEMBLAGE BEING HELD IN A PUBLIC BUILDING IN THIS

"CITY, reared as this was by the contributions of its "citizens, and designed to be used for salutary pub"lic objects, and not as a receptacle for deluded fa"natics and reckless incendiaries."

It was well understood that this resolution applied to all public buildings in the city whether churches, school rooms, or others. By the next resolution it will have been seen that it became the duty of every citizen to use all lawful and proper measures to prevent the assembling of the Convention at any place. The other resolutions have spoken for themselves.

At this meeting it has been seen that the Mayor was not ashamed to make his appearance, and approbate the proceedings, when the avowed object was to scandalize the body over which he presided, and set at defiance the authority which he officially assured them that they possessed. An amendment to one of the resolutions was offered by Mr. Noyes, so as to disapprobate forcible resistance to the meeting of the abolitionists, after which, A. G. Dauby whose influence was principally confined to the

lowest and most degraded class, arose, and after indulging the most inflammatory language concluded as follows:-"For one, Mr. President, I will be here, I will prevent their" (the abolitionists)" coming here, peaceably if I can, FORCIBLY IF I MUST," at which the rabble set up a hooting and stamping which entirely smothered every voice that was raised against the disorders which it was seen must inevitably ensue from the proceedings.

Mr. Beardsley in his violent invectives against the Common Council, and against the abolitionists, exceeded all bounds. "If they" (the abolitionists) "should persist in holding their convention in this city, they were responsible for all the consequences that should follow; If they should be permitted to hold their meeting here, like the Hartford Convention, it would fix a lasting stigma upon the fair name of the city; Hewould rather that the place should be consumed with fire, even with fire from Heaven; he regretted extremely that he could not be present at the meeting on the 21st, to which this meeting was to be adjourned he expected to be at Albany, and perhaps should not return in time to attend." It was resolved that the meeting when it adjourned, should adjourn to meet at the court room* at 9 o'clock A. M. on the day when the convention should assemble, and this was pronounced with such emphasis, and

* It will be remembered that this is the room granted by the Common Council for the meeting of the State Anti-Slavery Convention, and that the avowed object of the leaders in this meeting was, forcibly to resist the public authorities, in which it will shortly be seen they were successful.

with such an insinuating air by Mr. Beardsley, by whom the resolutions were read, that his designs could not be mistaken by the rabble, who were to carry them into effect.

Every reasonable mind who was acquainted with the means that are made use of to raise a mob, saw full well that the city was to be disgraced with tumult and disorder. That such was the result to which the conduct of Beardsley and Dauby tended, no man in his senses could for a moment doubt. Here, when the office holders, and others who had selfish and designing views dared not to lift up their voices against these disgraceful proceedings, the patriotic voice of the mechanic, one after another, was raised in defence of the constitution of his country, but the cry of the mob "put him down! hussle him out!" was instantly raised, and his appeal to their pride as freemen! was made in vain, for his voice was smothered amidst the loud yells, and confusion which ensued.

*

After this meeting many of the reflecting citizens became sensible to the degradation which had been brought upon them, and which still awaited them for the purpose of satisfying the political schemes of a few individuals too small in number to constitute a "corporal's guard."

It ought to be observed, that when the disposition of the adversaries of the freedom of speech and of the press was discovered, the doors of several of the churches were thrown open to the abolitionists

*Several of the mechanics attempted to oppose the proceedings, but were clamoured down by the sneers of the leading "agitators."