Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-13

oftbo decrec If the District Court. Pause, for
=. ,noment. 70 observe the awful positions IN
which these two sovereignties, that OF the United
States and that of Pennsylvania are now placed.
The United States were bound to support with
their whole force the execution of the judgment
of their Courts; aud the Governor of Pennsylva-
MIA was ordered by its Legislature to resist the
execution of that Judgment with the whole force
Of the state. We tremble even now to look back
at the precipice on'which he stood. A false step,
on either side, might have been rum to BOTH
Nothing but the most calm and consumate pru-
dence, the most disinterested and magnanimous
patriotism could havave brought US safely through
this mortal crisis.
The District Court hesitated TO proceed. The
question was one Of great difficulty and dei,cacy;
the anticipated conflict, terrible IN the extreme.
The process was suspended, that the case might
be submitted to the Supreme Court: which, ai'er
a hearing, stood firmly to the Constitution and
the law, and commanded the District Judge TO Is
sue the process required. 1t was issued. Many
of YOU may remember with what an agonizins
anxiety the result was awaited. Was civil war
to tear the entrai of the State? and citizen to
meet citizen in deadly strifes Was our happy
and prosperous career doomed to be so shorts-
Was this glorious Unien to dissolve in blood, al.
ter few years, whirhhad proved Its unparalleled
excellence; had poured, plenteousiy. bountles up
on our land; had raised us from weakness, po-
verty, and obscurity, to the power and dignity OF
a great nation; which had given liberty. securl-
ty, and wealth to virtuous and industrious peo-
pie, was all to be shattered and lost IN an unna-
tural conflict? The process was issued; and the
officer of the Court had no choice but to execute
it; and to compel obedience to it by the means
given to him by the law. General Michael Bright,
Commanding a brigade of the militia OF Pennsyi-
wanna, received orders from the Governor. lmme-
diately to have in readiness, such portion OF
the militia under his command, as might be ne
cessary to execute the orders, and to employ
them to protect and defend the persons and pro-
perty of the representatives of Mr.. Rittenhouse
from and against any process founded on the de-
cree of the District Court Of the United States
A guard was accordinglypl placed by General Bright
at the houses of these ladies; and he, win the
other defendants in the indictment. opposed, with
force the efforts of the marshal to serve the writ
issued to him. The process however was served;
and the state relieved the ladies, not by waglns
war upon the'Un,ted States but by paying the
money according to the Judgment OF the Court.
This is enough of the history Of this interesting
case for our present object. 1t was for this re.
sistance to the process of court OF the United
States, that General Bright and others OF his par
ty were indicted, and brought to trial before judy
es Washington and Peters, holding Circuit
Court of the United States. have been thus
particular in giving the outlineso of this cause, be
cause it not only forms a remarkable era IN the
life of the Judge, but also in the history of Out
country. At this moment it may furnish sau
tary lesson and example to sister state adyanc
ing 100 far in the path of opposition to the tede
| raj power.