Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-07-14

the testimony on the part of the plain
hii. presents matters IN an ext-aoruina-
~. and IT is to be- hoped. unprecedent-
ed point of view. IL has been made
to appear. that on the evening on which
the negroes reached Brook,il!e. a num-
Der OF people assembled at the laii.
probably most Of them from curiosity.
the defendants among the number. they
being then public officers, SC. two OF
them OF a high and responsible charac-
ter; that instead of showing an exam
pie OF obedience to the laws and dis
position TO enforce them, they were
the most prominent IN encouraging
their violation. and in openly setting
them at defiance. Examples of law
less violence may have become but
too familiar IN society TO create surprise.
even at tins instance of misguided
zeal IN redressing imaginary human
suffering, and many may be found to
justify the act rom an alleged praise
worthy motive. But every thing val
liable 10 US: our lives, property aud
reputation. are based upon the snnc,lty
of The laws; and where men are taught
openly 10 disregard their obligations
on one important subject, they have
but little more 20 learn 10 free them
selves entirely from their control. Ii
Is but a single .tep further. and govern
ment and law are ~ an end But II Is
rarely that the ministers of the law I'm
any country, much less in ours, are
found mIni>tcrlng 10 these evil pas
slonS-and II the testimony. on this
occasion, has established an instance
OF II, their conduct cannot be too much
Reproduced: for though the policy OF
laws may be questioned. while thew
exist every good citizen should desire
their iuliilmcnt, and superaddcd To this
moral obligation, the magistrates oath
aud official duty solemnlv bind him 10
maintain them: if these strong ties are
dlsregarded, the will of the strongest
becomes the law, and the watchmen.
Instead of keeping the city, wake
among the rest, but to plumber and de-
stroy.
1t is true, that in Penn, where sla-
very does not exist. It is no offence To
wrlie, PRINT or speak on the subject of
slavery. But this right NAV be abused.
II carried into practice. To the injury
ot the southern slave holder; IT, as Is
alleged IN the case before us. inflam-
matorv speeches were made in crowd
TO effect the liberation of slaves. indi-
eating determination to aid in any at
tempt for that purpose, followed by
their actual escape, an action for DANA
ges would lie. Ii must, then, be al
ways an important part of such an IN
'estigation as this, to ascertain what
we're the intentions of the accused
Did he carry his rights beyond their
proper limits Did he himself liberate
the slaves, or did ne procure, engage,
direct, council, or command others to
do lt,-ior in either case he would be
equally guilty.
Although the testimony on the part
of the plaintiff may leave little doubt
on your minds as to the agency which
the defendants had in procuring the
escape of Charles, yet it must not be
overlooked. that it is materially con-
tradIcied by several of the witnesses
for the. defendants. The character.
however. of one at least of these wit
ncssses has been called in question:
II, after reviewing the whole teslimo-
ny, you are able to satisfy yourselves
that all or either of the defendants,
aided TO effect the escape of Negro
Charles. the plaintiff will be entitled To
your verdict. II there is room TO doubt
whether the defendants, or either of
them, aided directly or indirectly. in
the escape of Charles, such doubt
should lead to his acquittal. If the
testimony of respectable witnesses is
30 evenly balanced, that innocence
would be as probable as guilt, the hu-
name precepis of the law always in
clIneS the scale in favor of innocence. |
The reputation and property Of men
must not be taken away bv doubtful
testimony, but after carefully sitting IL. |
and rejecting all such as is unworthy
Of belief and accounting for such as
IS actually, or seemingly contradictory.
enough tcmalns to satisfy YOU that the
plaintiff has made out his charge against
)ne or more of the defendants, it will
be your duty 10 say so.
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POLITICAL.