text:  It appears perfectly clear to us _even now_ that a prosecution for the earlier meetings must have failed; for there existed then none of that evidence which would prove the object and the nature of the association: and to proclaim a meeting without using force to prevent or disperse it if it defied the proclamation; and to use force without being certain that the extent of the illegality would carry public opinion along with the use of force; further to begin to use force without being sure that you have enough to use--would be acts of madness and at least of great and criminal disregard of consequences