Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-07-02

Gu 10 tlelr policy anu was approved by tneT
vision; and it. continued undisturbod by
their p~osterity until the year 1921. 1t was
engralted on our policy in counteraction of
the schemes and Vaccinations or in difference
to the clamors of those who formed plans
for our improvement, although not interested
in nor understanding our institutions and
whose interference led to the tragedy of 1922.
He here adverted to the views of Chancellor
Harper on this subject, who in his able and
philosophical memoir on Slavery, said-'lt
is a somewhat singular fact, that when there
existed in our State no law for furnishing the
murder Of a slave, other. than a pecuniary
fine, there were, | will venture to say, at
least ten murders of ireemen for one murder
OF a slave. Yet it is supposed they are less
protected than their masters" "The change
was made in snAseryiency to the opinions
and clamor of others, who were utterly in
competent to form an opinion on the subject;
and a wise act is seldom the result of legis-
lation in this spirit. From the fact | have
stated, it is plain they need less projection.
Juries are, therefore, less willing to convict,
and it may sometimes happen that the guilty
will escape all punishment. Security is one
Of the compensations of their humble posi-
ton. We challenge the comparison, that
with us there have been fewer murders of
slaves, than of parents, children, apprentices,
and other murders, cruel and unnatural, in
society where slavery does not exist" Such
was the opinion Of Chancellor Harper on
this subject, who had profoundly studied it,
and whose views had been extensively read
on this Continent and in Europe. Fortunate
ly the jury, he said, were of the country, ac-
q%uainted with our policy and practice-com-
posed of men, too Independent and honorable
to be led astray by the noise and clamor out
of doors. All was now as it should beat
last a court of justice had assembled, to
which his client had fled for refuge and safe
ty-its threshold was sacred-no r~rofane
clamors entered there-but legal inveStiga-
ton was had of facts, derived from the testi-
mony of sworn witnesses-and this should
teach the community to shut their bosoms
against sickly humanity, and their ears to
imaginary tales Of blood and horror, the food
of a depraved appetite. lie warned the jury
that they were to listen to no testimony but
that of free white persons, given on oath in
open court. They were TO imagine none
that came not from them. 1t was for this
that they were seleeted-their intelligence
putting them beyond the influence of unfoun-
ded accusations, unrestrained by legal proof
of legends of aggravated cruelty. founded
on the evidence of negroes, and arising from
weak and wicked falsehoods. Were slaves
permitted to testify against their owner, 1t
would cut the cord that unites them in peace
and harmony, and enable them to sacrifice
their masters to their i'll will or revenge
Whole crews have been often leagued to
charge captains of vessels with %foulest OF
murder, but judicial trial had exposed the
falsehood. Truth has been distorted in this
case, and murder manufactured out of what
was nothing more than ordinary domestic d.
scipline. Chastisement must be inflicted I'M
til subordination is produced, and the extent
of punishment is not to be judged Of by ones
neighbors, but by himself. The event in
this case has been unfortunate and sad but
there was no motive for the taking of life
There is no pecuniary interest in the owner
to destroy his slave-the murder Of his slave
can only happen from ferocious passions OF
the master, filling his own bosom with All.
guish and contrition. This case has no 9TH
er basis but unfounded rumor, commonly be-
lieved, on evidence that will not venture here,
the offspring Of that passion and depravlty
which make up falsehood. The hope Of free
dom, Of change of owners, revenge, are all
motives with slave witnesses to malign their
owners-and to credit such testimony would
be TO dissolve human society. Where dellb
crate, wiIlul and malicious murder is done,
whether by male or female, the retributlon o
the law is a debt to God and man-but the
jury should beware lest it fall upon the limo
cent. The offence charged was not strictly
murder at common law. The Act of l7l(
was founded on the practical good sense o
our old planters, and its spirit still prevails
The act of 1921 is, by its terms, an Act on
ly to increase the punishment of persons con
| ,t-tA e ,a.-, - =, an aAI tItnI 10 - RI
fnement in humanity of doubtful policy
But by the Act of 1921, the murder lust b.
wilful, deliberate and malicious-and whel
punishment is due TO the slave, the maste
must not be held to strict account fer goin!
an inch beyond the ~mark-whether for dom,
so, he shall be a lelon is a question for tn
jury to solve. The master must conquer
refractory slave and deliberation, so as t
render clear the existence of malice, it is he
cessary to bring the master within the provls
ions of this act. He babe the Jury remem
Der the words of Him who spake as neye
man spoke-"Let him that has never slnneI
throw the first stone" They as master
might regret excuses to which they ma,
have themselves carried punishment. ii
was not at all surprised at the course OF tn
Attorney General-it was his wont 10 trea
every case with perfect fairness. lie (Col
: H. agreed that the inquiry should bel
Into the fact of the death. 2. The %characte
or motive of the act. The examination {
, the prisoner showed conclusivcly that tn
slave died a natural death and not from pc
sonal violence. She was chastised with
lawful weapon--was in weak health, mel
vous, made angry by her punishment-eXc
ted. The story was then a plain one I'll
community had been misled by the creation
) of imagination, or the statements of interes
= ed slaves. The negro came into her mi
I tress' chamber; fell on the floor; medlclr
! was given her it was supposed she WI
j asleep,Aut she slept the sleep of death. l
show the wisdom and policy of the old a
2 of l7i0 (this Indictment is under both act
: the punishment only altered by that OF lS2
he urged that d case like his was not mHfd
! at common law; nor is the same evlden
. applicable az common law, TheTe mud