or hope.  Their ticket was elected.  They obtained the reward of their services in the organization, and profited accordingly.  Thirty-one years have now passed since the existence of the Committee.  Many of its executive members are numbered with the dead.  Some of them passed away in a manner to remain as an enduring sorrow to their kindred and connexions.  A few have prospered and occupy high places in community.  A very few enjoy office bestowed by the party they aided so much to destroy in 1856.  On the monument erected over the ashes of Casey is the scriptural admonition for all mankind.  “Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and I will repay.”  Retribution is with God alone.  The generation of this period will best subserve the good of community by conformity to the divine injunction.  And this would never have been written were it not for the many and frequent ex parte, and incorrect publications, which have been put forth as faithful and impartial accounts of the Vigilance Committee of 1856, of the character of those who suffered death and banishment at its hands, and of the causes which led to its organization.  The task is done.  May another similar to it never be required.  The law of the land should suffice for every exigency.  It sets no bad or dangerous example, but is always the conservator of the public welfare, the best protector of all, the voice of the people in accordance with the laws of God The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Vigilance Committee of ’56 by James O’Meara ******This file should be named vigco10.txt or vigco10.zip******

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