The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-04-14
DOMESTIC.
OLMSrEADS CASE.


Process has been issued from the district
court OF the U. States, against general N.
d, p'iSht ana others, Tpon a. charge of having
resisted the laws of the u. States
ms measure is founded on the repor, Of
.he y. Statss marshal of this district, who
IN attempting to carry INTO execution the
process OF the United States Court. was rs,-
sisted ~ body of men in arms, acting ,ln+
der the authority of the governor Of this
commonwealth. The force ordered ont hys
governor Snyder, were placed under tho
command OF general Bright, who, in obeii.'
ence to the orders of the governor, ORGANIC
ca a military force, and acted according tr,
written instructions, TO him given by the an
thorlty from whence he derives his commits
sion.
1t supposed, that every citizen who acted
uhder the same authority, in resisting the
decision OF the supreme court, will also be
prosecuted. 80 : j;
General Bright is as worthy man as lives.
IN the district, and we haveno dnbt, depre-
Gates resistance to the laws of the union.
as much as any man; and indeed the same
observation as to public fidelity, may be fair
~ extended 20 every man OF the militia. who.
under a sense Of duty, turned ont in obedi-
leDce TO orders. - 49,.
The great evil of the case, is tile impress
sion It must make abroad. and ,the handle.
which 1t must afford 20 classification IN othev
jparts eff the union. - =
Inc question, however, is so important to
the public safety and to the security of the.
federation of the states, that it requires to
ibe settled - -
his state has been dishonored bv the ope-
ration or an influence that has been for years
fPEsthentiai to ia noted tory of the name
foi Charles Smith, member of the assembly.
a notorious intriguer and adversary of the.
good 0f ~ c.
years, IN the legislature, has unfortunately,
wormed himself into the confidence Of the
imbtciie and incapable men whom Mr..
o;yder has selected for his advisers, and the
state has been plunged into this difficulty
and shame by that mans w:ckedness, and
their weakness
smlths object was TO obtain a seat on the
bench OF, justice, and his intrigues it was that
set on foot the proceedings III the legislature
involving the case of Judge Renrv, whom
smith expected to succeed, and whom he
would have succeeded IF the legislature had
not possessed honesty and integrity enough
to resist the foul purpose
Mr. Snyder cannot be supposed to possess
extensive or critical legal knowledge, and :
neing without man of integrity or talents
In his suite. was obliged to depend ON, this
worst OF all advisers, an inveterate political
enemy, and a man who, beside being an Of
state an immense sum of money-in a word.
omith was the author of the -ekort issued
lately In the name of the lie gislature, and
upon ms advice il is, that the state has been
put In jeopardy, while The people at large
abhor the proceedings, and the folly and
wickedness by which they have been con-
Quoted
We have refrained as much as possibls
from the discussion of this subject prefer
avert the Calamity and shame, to the making
it public
a ne have used query means that the most
generous diShoSitionS could deuise TO avere
me consequences that 1ue foretoId, and aohich
n'fSHs hdue 6een fireuented if our connseLs
had been hursued. ...e g..
" o thetweak, the counsels of prudence
=" are but as foolishness. and to the wicked
" they are terrible as the 1Yhhoon,'' SAYS
the Persian poet. -
AS citizens, and as members of the same
PoiiucaAoofly, we have done our duty-even
the duty Of forbearance and counsel--higher
duties we have never lost sight of-and now
we Shall thinkt our duty to discuss the sub
Ject,in the utmost LATITUDE, because we wisk
10 DO justice and to rescue the state and the.
legislature from the disgrace which attaches
these proceedings as we'll as the citizens
WHO, as militia men, considered themselves
oornu 10 ooey the orders OF the executive.
We 'oresaw, as soon as the report of Smith
was published, that the inevitable effect
would be such as has now arisen out of it's
that the delusion held forth Of future a.
mendnent of the constitution was a mere
delusion; as no such amendment could at
feet this case.
l he attorney of the district, Mr.. Dalias,
we understand, has signihed the determine
ton OF the executive 70 support the laws OF
the u. States rs he is bound TO do
The district Court Of the United States
opens on Tuesday, the 18th instant, and tits
supposed the citizens of the militia who have
been unfortunately called on to act in this
/ case, will be prosecuted under the act of con-
sress OF 30th April, 1870, entitled, " An act
tor, the punishment Of certain crimes a..
gainst the u. States" The 22d section of
which is IN the words following" BE it en-
acted, that if any person or persons shalt
knowingly or willingly obstruct, resist. on.
oppose any officer Of the United States. in
=" serving or attempting to serve or execute
any mcsne process, or 79srrdnf, or any
rue or order Of a7y't( he courts of ne
Untted STATES, or any ofher iegat or jndi-
=" ctat 7vrft or hroceaS s9hataoeuer, or shall
assault, beat. or wound any officer or other
person duly authorised, in serving or exc