The Liberator

Elder Knapp.

Wherever this individual preaches, he is sure to gather a large concourse to hear him, and in various places he has been the cause of much excitement. He has been holding forth in this city, for some time past, but as yet, we have found no opportunity to hear him, though we have heard much of him. Some praise him very highly, and others denounce him as a vulgar and ranting declaimer. Those who do not wish to hear him are not compelled to do so, and can stay away; but, if they attempt to deter others, whose taste differs from their own, from listening to him, by getting up a mobocratic feeling in the community, they deserve to be classed with blackguards and ruffians. The Boston Times is evidently most anxious to drive him from the city; and such was the excitement created by that paper on Tuesday evening, that Bowdoin Square was filled with a throng of people, in addition to a crowded audience who were listening to Elder Knapp in the Baptist meeting-house; but, a strong constabulary force being present, no riot ensued. The Times of Wednesday hypocritically hopes that no disturbance will ensue in consequence of this man's preaching, and 'deprecates all violent measures on the part of the public,'—and adds, 'but if the fears of many of the community are unfortunately realized, they must bear the blame and the responsibility who brought this firebrand among us.' This is tantamount to a direct call upon the mob, and to an open justification of lynch law—and the more detestable on account of its dastardly cunning.