The mob is man voluntarily ...

The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. Its fit hour of activity is night. Its actions are insane like its whole constitution. It persecutes a principle; it would whip a right; it would tar and feather justice, by inflicting fire and outrage upon the houses and persons of those who have these. It resembles the prank of boys, who run with fire-engines to put out the ruddy aurora streaming to the stars.
The mob is man voluntarily descending to the nature of the beast. Its fit hour of activity is night. Its actions are insane like its whole constitution. It persecutes a principle; it would whip a right; it would tar and feather justice, by inflicting fire and outrage upon the houses and persons of those who have these. It resembles the prank of boys, who run with fire-engines to put out the ruddy aurora streaming to the stars.

Quotes from the same author

Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it.
The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.
Our distrust is very expensive.
Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom.
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.