Terry, arrested for the stabbing of Hopkins, was at first very humble,
promising to resign his Supreme Court Judgeship. As time went on he
became arrogant. The Committee of Vigilance was rather at a loss. If
Hopkins died, they could do no less than hang Terry: and they realized
fully that in executing a Justice of the Supreme Court they were
entering deep waters. To the relief of everybody Hopkins fully
recovered. After being held closely in custody, Terry was finally
released, with a resolution that he be declared unfit for office. Once
free, however, he revised his intention of resigning. His subsequent
career proved as lawless and undisciplined as its earlier promise.
Finally he was killed while in the act of attempting to assassinate
Justice Stephen Field, an old, weak, helpless, and unarmed man. If
Terry holds any significance in history, it is that of being the
strongest factor in the complete wrecking of the Law and Order party!
For with the capture of the arsenals, and all their arms, open
opposition to the Committee of Vigilance came to an end. The Executive
Committee continued its work. Numberless malefactors and suspects were
banished; two more men, Hetherington and Brace, were solemnly hanged.
On the 8th. of August the cells were practically empty. It was
determined to disband on the 21st.
That ceremony was signalized by a parade on the 18th. Four regiments of
infantry, two squadrons of cavalry, a battalion of riflemen, a
battalion of pistol men, and a battalion of police were in line. The
entire city turned out to cheer.
As for the effects of this movement, the reader must be referred to the
historians. It is sufficient to say that for years San Francisco
enjoyed a model government and almost complete immunity from crime.
One evening about twilight two men stood in the gathering shadows of
the Plaza. They were old friends, but had in times of stress stood on
opposite sides. The elder man shook his head skeptically.
"That is all very well," said he, "but where are your Vigilantes now?"
The other raised his hand toward the great bell of the Monumental
silhouetted against the afterglow in the sky.
"Toll that bell, sir, and you will see!" replied Coleman solemnly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account