i.'cleck, A. M. and 2 4 o'clock, P. M. On 'the alternate days of the week, having Bug. Bested to the other gentleman to accomino= data their meeting to these hours. We then culjatirtwd to meet the next day at 24 o'clock, P. AI. While the House was thus organizing, Mr. Hopkins moved that the names of the Van Buren men contained in the return fur. tiished by Pray should be added to the list of memLers, and they_he considered mem . - hers. The question was put ; and forty-eight members elected and a large number of the ''prople" scattered through the House voted "aye"—and the Clerk said it wa.s carried, and installed Pray and his associates at once lie members! and immediately alter in call• ing the names to elect a Speaker, called them, and not the members officially return. ed for the county. The forty eight who did not vote for Mr. •Cunningham, and the eight added as above proceeded to the election, and Al r. Hopkins -was elected Speaker. He went to the plat .form amid the loud shouts and noplatids of the mob! 1. J. McCahen and several of lftis associates, not members, mounted inc ' plat form with him—McCalien standing be. hind Speaker Cunningham and beck g several of the mob to' take possession td the steps leading to the Speaker's chair, which 'they obeyed . . When the Speaker declared the House adjourned, M'Cahen said •"you shall never -meet in this House again." This fellow was in no way connected with tho Legisla lure but has been for ; years an officer in the Philadelphia Post Odiee, resigning ocza. atonally on the morning of an election, so as to qualify himself to act as Clerk or judge • in the Kensington district and being recom• tnissioned the next day This is what the mob call "protecting their rights," and the general government "the purity of the elective franchise." The house of Representatives had by its calm and conciliatory course, given no pretext loractual violence, and became organized !contrary to the determination of the leaders '6l the mob. They expected we should submit to taking votes upon the legality of returns before we were organized, when they should be able io intimidate the weak and dictate their course. Mortified at being foiled,they held a meet ing at which Gen. Miller presided and resolv ed to go to the Senate and "claim their rights."rhe Senate met at 3 o'clock and proceeded to organize upon the same princi . plea that the Hozise had adopted. When On Philadelphia County returns were read, Mr. Brown presented certified copies of re• turns dimilar to Pray's,and Mr. Rogers mot,. ed that they be read as the true returns. The Speaker d.cided that no returns could be read in the first instance but those furnished by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.— They having returned Messer. Hanna and Wagner, they appeared and were sworn in. In the meantiml, Mr. Caplan and others, members elect, but not sworn in, attempted to' addreaa ttw igetror,trut were calm to °r ider by the Chair, not being yet qualified to act as members. Much confusion existed i`n- the gallery. After Hanna and Wagner . .'/Weise sworn in, Brown attempted to address ifhe Senate, but was called to order, not be ing a member. Persons in the gallery then cried out, "hear him!" "hear him!" "Brown, Brown!" "You shall hear Brown!" John Snyder called out "ride the Speaker on a rail!' . When hundreds cried out "a rail!" "a rail!" jumped over the railing into the lobby, and in spite of all the efforts of the Sergeant at arms, Door Kjepers and their assistants, rushed into the Senate chamber headed by M'Cahen, Pray, and others, con tinuing to yell "Give us our rights!' "We will have our rights!" "Reconsider your vote!" "You . must.adrnit Brown and Steven . son!" "Hanna and Wagner shall resign! We will have our rights or blood!" "We will have Burrowes', Stevens', and Penrose's blood"! "Down with Stevens,and down with Barrowes!" 'iron shall hear Brown!" All was then confusion arid alarm. Brown was permitted lo proceed, sometimes addressing the Speaker, but generally his "fellow citi• zens," as he called the ruffians behind him, descanting upon his and their rights, and they answering him with cries for "blood!" and for the "lives of Penrose, Burrowes,and Stevens " Their fury increased and was fomented by their leaders,Mr. Burrowes and myself were standing in front of them, near the fire• We were urged several times to withdraw as the only means of safety and of preventing the effusion of blood. Mr. Pen rose, the Speaker, finding it impossible to restore order, left the Chair, putting Mr. • Rogers an it; a man of their own party,who told the Speaker that if he did not leave he could not be protected. Private information : owl's conveyed both to Mr. Penrose and 'my self, by persons from the crowd, that they heard the ruffians arranging it to "stab" or "knife" us. Mr. Burrowes, following the advice.of a very cool and judicious gentleman from Philadelphia, had left the house by a brick window; and as the tumult grew thick er and nearer, after dark Mr. Penrose and myself did the same, and were followed by a large number of gentlemen, Senators and members of the !louse, as well as others.— We had.scarcely got behind the Treasury • heildiair, when twenty or thirty of the mob broke out of the Capitol, and run around to the window whence we escap.d. On seeing it open, a person present testifies that they said "we are a witrite too late!"—and in quired for Nir. Penrose. We went to the Secretary's and from thence to Abe Governor's. Neither of us returned to our lodgings that night. I was informed those not to be deceived, that my path wits waylaid by at least rhree p r ii ed of assassins. One of the gang had twen heard to say, "that I should be in the • Susquehannah before inriting.7 Atter the Senate was thus adjourned, the people as this this mob is rte led by their leaders. t•tok undisturbed pos4ession of the Sedate Chamber, their chieftains mounting the Senators'desks, ank preaching sedition and bloodshed. That night they re-assembled in the !Court House, Gen. MILLER. again in the chair, and resolved "that the Govern• ment was at an end, and appointed a Gam inittee of Safety to carry on the govern ment of the Stale." Their orators, Barton, Penniman and others, told them to call on the Secretary for other reiurns, and if he did not give them, "then" "then" —said they, slurping their fists together, and mak ing significant signs ofrissFlSSltlai lon ! They urged them 'logo to the Capitol the next day and demand their rights, and if they were not granted, THE CAPITOL SHOULD SMOKE WITH BLOODS•' They appointed several Committees to 'take care of the government." Among the Committee of Safety some of our own citizens, Gen. MILLER, Col. IRVINE, aid others, found an honorable place. The next day the Capitol was filled with the rioters. The Senate did not attempt except to adjourn through a deputed Speak er. Mr. Spackman went to the House, at the request of the Speaker, to adjourn it, but found it filled by the mob, even to the Speaker's chair: and, when he attempted with resolute firmness, to discharge his duty, he was seized and dragged out of the House, amidst violent tumults—many esca ping through the windows. The keeper of the Arsenal has garrison ed it with a few men, to protect the arms, when the mob surrounded and attempted to force it. I ought not, perhaps,to say "mob;" they , were insurgents regularly officered. Gen Diller had the command of them; and aided by Gen. Miller, and several other officers of less note and infamy, drilled them for about three hours on Capitol•hill. As nearly as could be ascertained, without see ing their muster roll, there were nearly four hundred men in ranks. in the mean time, the "Provisional Gov ernment" was in session at Chase's tavern, receiving reports, appointing Committees, and desmtching agents to the different coun ties,to raise funds and "minute men" to "pro tect the rights of the Philadelphia butchers!" Neither thel Governor nor Secretary of the Comin'wealth,dared to go to their Executive cl ambers,and the obnoxious members of the Legislature, were compelled to stay away from the Capitol, on pain of instant death! Nor could they, with safety, appear in the streets nor in the bar-rooms of the public houses, until the arrive! of the troops under Gen. Patterson. 1 have been thus minute, and I fear, tedious, in relating paruculors, because the actors and leaders in these scenes, with the effrontery of practice felons, deny that there was any mob and outrage ! They say "that none were assembled there but good peace• able citizens,anxious to protect their 'rights" and • that the small excitement was no! ping more, than the virtuous indignation of an injured people, gi ieving over the wrongs they suffered" ! It there was no mob. no tom.,ti the Legislature was not dissolved, and govern ment broken up ;—why appoint a Commit tee of Safety ? Why have a "Provisional Government?" Why have a Commander of Arms, if the Governor was still Cem mander in Chief? Why raise "minute men" in Desks, York, Northumberland and else where, if there was no Revolution 1 But, who were these virtuous "People," who became so indignant at the infraction of their rights? They were not the march ants, and householders, and mechanics of Philadelphia County. They were not the Fanners and honest labourers from the country. They are not wont to appear in deliberative assemblies, to "grieve" with pis tols, and assert their rights with daggers" No 'I The People who were thus "excited were a hired banditti from the currupt pur- Imes of Philadelphia. They came in bands under regular leaders. Mr. Flennikin, a leading Van Buren member of the [louse from Fayette County wrote on the 4th and .51h December, to one of his Constituents "that LIEPER was there at the head of one hundred men from the County of Philadel phia, and five hundred more would follow !" About two hundred actually arrived. The most respectable of them--the "Captains of Tens," were keepers of disorderly houses in Kensington. Then came journeymen butchers, who were too worthless to find regular employment next, professional Borers, who practice their pugilastic pow ers fir hire ; low gamblers who infest the the Oyster cellars of the suburds.—A por tion of them consisted of a class of men, whose business you will hardly understand, Dog Keepers who, in Springgarden and Southwark, breed and train a ferocious breed of dogs, whom they fight weekly for wages, and for the aminusement of this " indignant people"! Their troop was planked by a few professional thieves and discharged convicts. These men, gathered up from the lanes and hovels, were re-fitted with such cast-offclothes, as their employers could command, and hired at fifteen dollars the head and freights, to come to Harrisburg and instruct the Legislature in its duties, and protect their "rights." This is a faithful and, ' not exaggerated description of what you are told was the "Democracy' that visited the Legislative Halls ! This, to be sure, is the kind of Democracy that such verregade Federalists as commanded them, generally! find corn munion with.!' have thus given you an honest, though imperfect account of the scenes of the first week of December. 1 have slated nothing but what I know personally, or have learn- ed from unquestionable authority. All, and much more, is capable of proof. 1 believe the actors to be guilty of Treason ; and so far as 1 am personally concerned, 1 shall always treat them as Traitors. To call their leaders more insurgents or assassins, would be doing injustice to the dioity of their crime. They *vent for empire " the Laws to them, are servile shackleer They prefer " Provisional government," toil "Committee of Safety," next will come the "Revolutionary. Tribunal and the guillotine; and theseeleaders of the "People" will shine forth, the Dantona and Robeapterres of the age 1 Why do we forget the magnitude of th e question, by stooping to inquire which of the Philadelphia returns was correct 1 Can that vie - snot] be settled by a rebellious army expelling the Legislature from Halls which should ever be inviolate, and then, they be justified by pleading the correctness of their judgment on the legal points thus decided ? This paper is already too long. I shall defer the further history of the crimes of some and shame of others, until another number. Very respectfully your obedient servant, THADDEUS STEVENS. GETTYSBURG, JAN. 9, 1839. Dear Sir, The opposite party having industriously circulated a report that you are a Mason, and in favour of Secrect oath bound Societies, I address you, on' behalf of the County Commit tee, for the purpose of inquiring,whether such be the fact. An immediate answer will oblige me. Yours respectfully ROBERT SMITH, Chairman of the Co. Committee. To J. F. MACFARLANE, Esq. GETTYSBURG, JAN. 9, 1839 Dear Sir, In answer to your letter of this moring, I say that I never was a member of any secret society bound together by extra judicial oaths. I am opposed to all societies leaped under such sanctions ; and recent occurences have increased my repugnance to them. Very respectfully Yours &c. JOHN F. MACFARLANE. To R. Smith, Esq. Thomas C.ller. ei.This man was once thought honest. He once was, we suppose, but how is it now! Moline as he is, that is only ono of his like qualities.— When he was elected Sheriff be was bankrupt— now ho is worth fifty thousand dollars and more. Has he made it honestly? He has had no produc tive means (except his office) by which to acquire it. We will tell you how he acquired it, and let him seek his remedy if we slander him. He calor "led it from the poor defendants against whom he had writs, over-charging them in almost every instance. We charge him, in the face of the pub lic, with charging illegal fees to a vast amount. He knoWs our names, and if we slander him, knows his remedy. Fellow Freemen: ccl.We have a few grave questions to propose to you which we desire you to reflect upon and answer. Are you prepared for a state of Anarchy, in which you no longer require the protection of the Iowa? Do you believe that Courts of Justice should be broken up, and every man become the redresser of his own wrongs? Do you think it conducive to the safety and happiness of the people, that the Legislature has been put in the power of the mob and obliged to act by its dictation? Do you believe it a proper exercise of popular sovreignty, for some two or three hundred men, who assume to be the people, to compel either branch of the Legislature, to admit to seats, or, de prive of seats, such members as they may think fill Upon these questions we desire you would re flect,as upon matters in which you have a personal stake—in which your posterity as well as your selves aro interested. If you answer them in the affirmative, then you declare for anarchy; you re ject your old safeguard the laws, and rely upon your own strength or your own address tor the security of your persons and your property. But before you do so, ponder well upon the consequen ces of such a state of licence as must ensue, when the reign of the Laws end, and teat of Anarchy begins. For our own part, before we would forego the protection of the law, ~ W e'd rather be the meanest craven That crawls on Old Oppression's sod, Than underneath our own bright heaven Lose this fair heritage of God." o:7•The issue is now made; Titom.ss C. Mrtr.- Lea, the man who presided over the mob which drove the Legislature from the Capitol, has been nominated as a candidate for the State Senate— In thus offering to the people the loader of tho mob, the rebels have declared their approbation of the disgraceful outrages which took place at Harris. burg. Wo aro glad to see it—we are glad that they have cast inside the veil of hypocrisy, and avowed themselves in favor of treason, by nominat ing a partaker in it. We repeat it; we are glad of it, because thus early, our suspense will bo termi nated, by the question being submitted to the peo ple, whether they approve of the desecration of the State Capitol by a mob—violence to the Legisla• Lure, and Treason to the Commonwealth? If they vote for Thomas C. Miller, who led and presided over the mob, they ratify its doings and declare against the laws. If they should do so, we submit; we know our fate; we need struggle no longer for the supremacy of the laws—look no further for the protection which Choy have hitherto afforded us. We must then arm ourselves, each man to defend his own rights; for then will. have commenced, the war of the strong upon the weak. The consti tuted tribunals for the vindication of our rights will have been cast down,and every man must take upon himself to redresS his own injuries and avenge his . own wrongs. We pray heaven that these things may not be; for when they come to pass, "the beginning of the end" will have taken place, and there will hi but a few steps sabre btaireia Liberty and its pave.
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