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Story
June 22, 1838
The Liberator
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Judge Fox of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in a charge to the grand jury, condemns recent mob outrages in Philadelphia against an Abolition Hall, warning that such excuses for lawlessness could extend to other groups like Quakers or Presbyterians, dissolving society into mob rule.
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98%
Excellent
Full Text
JUST SENTIMENTS.
Judge Fox of Montgomery Co. Pa., in a recent charge to the grand jury, has spoken out nobly against the late outrages in Philadelphia. He says—
'To-day, the excuse for the outrage against the law is, that the building burned was an Abolition Hall, in which proceedings were had and principles disseminated, destructive to our institutions, and abhorrent to the feelings of the great body of the community. In Massachusetts a convent was burned by the mob because it was a Roman Catholic institution, and they feared the advancement of Popery. Such excuses for such acts, are, in effect, but avowals that the laws shall be suspended and the mob govern; when, even the majority, or those who have the power, whether a majority or not, shall choose that it be so. Society for the time is dissolved and the law of the strongest prevails. To-day this may be applied to abolition halls and abolitionists, but to-morrow it may please the mob to apply it to a Quaker meeting house and to Quakers, to Presbyterians, or Lutherans, or to whomsoever or whatsoever the prejudice or passion of the moment may direct inconsiderate fury.'
Judge Fox of Montgomery Co. Pa., in a recent charge to the grand jury, has spoken out nobly against the late outrages in Philadelphia. He says—
'To-day, the excuse for the outrage against the law is, that the building burned was an Abolition Hall, in which proceedings were had and principles disseminated, destructive to our institutions, and abhorrent to the feelings of the great body of the community. In Massachusetts a convent was burned by the mob because it was a Roman Catholic institution, and they feared the advancement of Popery. Such excuses for such acts, are, in effect, but avowals that the laws shall be suspended and the mob govern; when, even the majority, or those who have the power, whether a majority or not, shall choose that it be so. Society for the time is dissolved and the law of the strongest prevails. To-day this may be applied to abolition halls and abolitionists, but to-morrow it may please the mob to apply it to a Quaker meeting house and to Quakers, to Presbyterians, or Lutherans, or to whomsoever or whatsoever the prejudice or passion of the moment may direct inconsiderate fury.'
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Justice
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Mob Outrages
Abolition Hall
Grand Jury Charge
Lawlessness
Philanthropy Hall Burning
What entities or persons were involved?
Judge Fox
Where did it happen?
Montgomery Co. Pa.; Philadelphia
Story Details
Key Persons
Judge Fox
Location
Montgomery Co. Pa.; Philadelphia
Event Date
Recent
Story Details
Judge Fox charges the grand jury against mob violence in Philadelphia targeting an Abolition Hall, compares to a convent burning in Massachusetts, and warns that excusing such acts suspends law and allows mob rule to target any group based on prejudice.