Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-04

why it necessarily exists here. But the fac,
is that Justices Of the Peace in this state do
not abuse this authority moro than all other
authority vested in them If they illegally join
two persons in marriage, the fact is sooner or
later known to tho world and cannot very well
be kept long secret Here his own certif-
cate condemns him. and the people are able
to read it. But the wrong done TO the honest
defendant through the partiality Of the magis-
trate, who is able to oppress with merc,less
severity who can at once destroy property,
liberty and character at his pleasure, is sell
dom susceptible of proof, because the evidence
Of the crime remains locked up in the breast
OF the Judge. In vain will the injured citizen
complain of hard fate--in vain may he declare
his nnocenc, il is enough that he has been
condemned by a Court Of Law and all the
charges Of corruption against tho magistrate
! cannot wipe away the stain Of infamy on his
| reputation. What is the mere ceremony Of
| marriage to these almost infinite evils' Yet
the strolling preacher; no matter what his in
telligence or character, is held up by our laws
as better entitled 10 trust, than the civil Off
GERS Of the state themselves. Our Legislature
has wisely and justly guarded against the inno-
varions Of priestcfaft and all ecclesiastical
usurpatjon. yet in this instance a species of
what is properly the business Of civil magis-
traie, is almost exclusively put into their hands
and the magistracy prescribed.
Let those who can reconcile these apparent
contradictions and inconsistencies satisfy the
people of the wisdom of the measure.
COLONEL KINC.-This gentleman. who, it
appears. has been most grossly libelled and
perse by the anti-masonc papers in New
York ,on the charge of numbering Morgan, has
recently published a statement Of the whole
affair, SO far as it regards himself, by which
he accounts for his conduct for fleeing from
the officers who went 10 arrest him at Fort
Towson, in Arkansas. 1t will be recolected
that Solomon Southwick and others have re-
ported and kept in circulation accounts Of the
strong and conclusive evidence against Col.
King, duplicating l,im directly in the murder
that soon after the supposed bloody transac-
ton. he disappeared and went to Arkansas
Territory, where he has ever since remained
as a fugitive from Justice, till the Sheriff Of
Ontario County, IN. W was despatched to
arrest him, from whom he made his escape"
1t now turns out that the Colonel, instead Of
fleeing from justice, was sent by the Secretary
of War 10 take charge Of Cantoninent Towson,
and that as soon as he was apprisod of the out
cry made by Solomon Southwick, (Which in
deed might "bc heard beyond the noun
taius,''l he made immediate preparation tore
turn and refute the charges against him.
While industriously engaged in this arrange
mont, he was informed that an officer had ar
rived at the Cantonmont to apprehend and
carry him to New-York in irons, as he HIM
self gave out on his arrival. Not being alto
gethcr pleased with this mode Of travelling,
the Colonel evaded the officer, and as soon as
possible returned to Youngstown. in lis native
State, Were he rendered himself up, and rave
bail in the sum Of $4,000, to await his trial
The Grand Jury, it seems, instead of indictiLg
him for the murder, after hearing all the evi-
dence, could find nothing but bill against
him for simple misdemeanor, on which he is
yet to be tried.
Here then is an instance worthy OF CON-
ment. poor man, of fair character, with
twelve children to support, sent fur thousand
miles from his home in the service Of his coun-
try, is assailed. in his absence, by a patriotic
Editor of newspaper. and falsely charged
with the crime of murder This is an act
worthy of Solomon we mean not Solomon OF
old, who was the great head of Masonry, but
him who has tagged himself to its tall