Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-08-01
Fron. lhs Cincmnali GasetIs.
THREE OHIOANS CAPTURED!

CREAr ExcrrFNENT!- On the evening of
the 9th. three men from Ohio, Mr.C 10
r9ine. Mr.. Garner, and Mr.. Thomas, al Of
Washington county, Ohio, were selzed on
the ohio shore. ty body OF men from ',r-
pinia. and lodged in jail at Parkersburgh'
upon the charge, that they had aided the
escape Of slaves.
The facts, as we learn them, are thesei
that six negroes, belonging to Mr.. Howard
of Wood county, Virginia, made theIr IS
zane into Ohio; that seven men, among
whom were the three above named, met
these negroes on the hank; and were a.aIhg
them in the removal Of their haggege'W 'When
they were seized, the Other iour escaping
This was done without any process oil iaw'
The Virgipians say that they had knoWl-
edop Of the designs OF tht Dhicane, which
tbey derived unuuestonabiy from on' Of
the negroes; and that they were thus pre-
pared TO defeat the designs Of 10th parties.
The friends Of the captured whites tell this
story: that some seven weeks sIHce, they
| were solicited y d white man an fit1r IN
the Baptist church in Virginia, and our IN.
foruant thinks. his namei- EomGine' to aid
! the pscaDp of the negroes; that they reiu-
eed to leave this State for that purpose, hut
laid they were always ready TO help the
tond in their efforts to gain their liberty;
ard thathp returned and entered INTO the
plo,, against tham for the promised reward,
! If they were captured, Of fifty dollars.
The Ohioans are 10 be examined on Ffl-
day of this week, before called county
court. on the question Of their commitment
for trial before the superior court in Sep
tpmlpr. The excitement IS very great on
both sides, In Virginia, half the inhabIt-
ants of Parkersburgh are armed, and pre-
pared to repel any attempt to release the
prisoners. In Washington county in THIS
State, meetings have been held IN four
. townships. land several others are to meet
with the object, mainly, to ensure tar TIL
al 10 the Ohioans, though in two OF them
= threats have teennad to cure lawlessrHss
by a violation of lawn other words, to
tear down Pakersburgh jail, and so give
freedom to then townsmen.
The cause OF this excitement all will un-
: dcrstand. We have nothing to say IN de-
s fence OF any man, or set Of men, who VIII
: entice slaves away. If caught, let the law
I have It's course. But we have something
3 to sav against our citizens being seized on
} their own soil, and without process OF law,
t hy the people OF another State. TO be tired
before the tribunals OF that State. They
+ NAV be wrong every way; bad at the heart
! and had in conduct; but they should not
he trou led if Ohio has the means or the
power to protect them. The law Of State
b is limited to lhe territory Of the State. Be-
r yond, il is a dead letter, and if for slavery
+ or for any thing else, this principle is yio-
s lated, our State Governments are IN effect
= annihiIated. If this were allowed, Ohio
d ans may seize Virginians for being slave-
b holders. and punish them. just as Vrgini-
= ans NAV seize Ohioans for aiding the escape
of slaves. Such a state Of things would
e result in anarchy-and if general would
+. destroy the Government.
: We wish our friends in Ohio to be firm
II but cool. Mahan was seized on the same
o grounds, and in the same way nearly hui
= a kentucky court and Jury acquitted lin
Y without moments hesitation. The aP
+ neal in this case is to the law. Let It be
+ fairly met, and we do not believe the result
Il doubtful. No Jury upon their oaths-ntt
e judge-no law-wond sanction a pr'nct
n ple so fatal in all its consequences, as tina
r, necessary to convict and runish these o
d hioans, viz: that the laws Of Virginia ex
a tend into Ohio. So that the best counse
IS is obtained in Virginia, and to that add tn,
ablest men Of our State. Indeed, IN al
, -uch cases we would, if practicable hav'
the State speak and act through her high
est officers, so that her citizens may lee
every where that they are protected Ill al
their home rights.