Mr. Garrison, in what he called the ‘hurricane excitement of the times,’ with its special draught towards his own person, might well be excused for not taking Mr. Adams's passionless view of the situation. His first editorial article after his return from the Provinces was entitled ‘The Reign of Terror.’ ‘All Pandemonium,’ it begins,
is let loose—that insanity3 which precedes self-murder has seized upon the mind of the nation, “for whom God purposes to destroy he first makes mad” —the American Constitution, nay, Government itself, whether local or general, has ceased to extend the arm of protection over the lives and property of American citizens— Rapine and Murder have overcome Liberty and Law, and are4 rioting in violent and bloody excess—all is consternation and perplexity, for perilous times have come. It is scarcely practicable, and it would certainly be premature, to make any extended comments upon the direful transactions which are going on in various sections of our land. Appeals to reason and justice and liberty, while the tempest of human passion is raging, will be in vain. When it shall have spent its fury, and given place to the ominous silence of utter desolation, the voice of man and the voice of God may again be heard, to the terror and condemnation of the guilty. And what has brought our country to the verge of ruin, and substituted anarchy for order, rebellion for obedience,