019 Sheet – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

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Reading Time: 3 minutes [321 words]

Here is the translated text as follows:

PREFACE TO VOLUME TEN

xv

The soldiers were regarded with such abhorrence that they were only saved from summary punishment by the judicious efforts of the friends of law and order. The soldiers had a fair trial, the result of which has stood the test of time and the examination of impartial history.

The result of the trial gained for the friends of freedom the respect of the world. No single occurrence did more to advance the cause of truth and just principles than what was denominated in the language of that day the Boston Massacre. It caused the immediate withdrawal of the troops from the town of Boston. The people, feeling that something had been gained, received new confidence in their determination to resist the encroachments of arbitrary power and mistaken policy.

It was determined by the town to celebrate the anniversary of the fifth of March, to the end that there might be an annual development of the "fatal effects of the policy of standing armies and the natural tendency of quartering regular troops in populous cities in times of peace." On the day of the first celebration, the bells of the town of Boston were tolled from twelve to one o'clock at noon, and from nine to ten in the evening. During this time, figures to represent the murder of the inhabitants were exhibited from a window of a distinguished citizen of the town.

On the recurrence of this anniversary until after the independence of the country was firmly established, the day was always observed in a solemn and striking manner. An oration was delivered by public request, when the orators took occasion to illustrate and enforce the great principles of civil and religious liberty. The people of Boston were thus prepared for those acts of spirited and determined resistance to the encroachments of the Crown which placed them in the forefront of the struggle for independence.