Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-09-03

The wrongs done them, and no prospect even
a trial by which Virginia would be COM
PEELED to acknowledge her injustice by a YER
dict of " not guilty." The men who kidnap-
ped them are at large. The Governor of Viz
yinia refuses to surrender them, and Ohio is
powerless TO compel it. In this, as in the
case of Jerry Phinney's captors, the weakness
of Ohio has been clearly demonstrated. AL
the latter case was an undoubted one
of Kidnapping, yet the demand for the surren-
der Of the criminal was respectfully disregard
ed by Kentucky, and Ohio was again made
to feel how unmeaning is her promised pro-
lection to her own citizens. Surely the pre-
sent is no time for slumbering.
A decision has also been made in a case Of
far more importance than either of these, one
which emanated from the highest tribunal in
the land-from a Court from which there is
no appeal. John Van Zandt was prosecuted
in 1912, under the law Of '93, for haiboring
and concoaling fugitive slaves. His case
was carried up by appeal to the Supreme
Court Of the United States, which, by its de-
cision of March last, subjected him TO a fine
Of $500 as prescribed by that law. So it
seems that not only is Ohio unable to.protect
her own citizens against mauraders from Viz
ginia and Kentucky, but in common with
other States has consented that they shall for
fei, the sun of $500 for obeying the %injunc-
ton of God to succor the distressed. The
decision we, of course, regard as perfectly
constitutional as just and righteous, il. the
Constitution be just and righteous, or if a
Union based upon such a Constitution be
just and righteous. The penalty however,
with which an earthly Court visited John
Van Zandt for his deed of mercy, was not
exacted. Death removed him from the scene
of his persecution into the presence Of that
Judge whose welcome decisionhas been, in.
asmuch as ye did it unto the least of these
my little ones, we did it unto me-"
Not only should the Impressions of the
slave power, and its supremacy in the land
cause US to be ~uncommonly vigilant at the
PiVoVhb hihCS but u tliPOlibihS oPhit u
some of the protested friends of the slave
renders it particularly necessary that W,
should be faithful and uncompromising.-
We will allude now to only one case of thi'
nature. BY dint of great effort, liberal con
tributions and considerable personal sacrifice
the friends of the Liberty party have, within
the last year, established the National Era
at the city of Washington. Though widely
differing from the adherents of that. party al
to the proper mode of carrying out %anti-sla'
very principles, and believing their plan tc
be radically wrong, yet we respect the sin
cerity of purpose, and the anti-slavery yea
that has been manifested by many Of it
members. Added to the high expectations
of the friends of that movement, were ou
hopes also, that truths would be uttered thro
the columns of that journal that would maxi
the tyrant tremble for his usurped rights-fo
his irresponsible power. But alas for the eX
pectations so fondly cherished by the friend
and supporters of that paper. Instead {
sounding the notes Of battle and startling tn
guilty oppressor, he has been left to slumbe
on; and the slave pining in his chains, ha
turned away from this source of expected ait
in despair.
Your Committee hoped to be able TO sta.
in this report that Ohio had become so chri
tian and so republican as to repeal her inf
nous "Black Laws" Such we regret
r say is not the case-they still disgrace h
Statute Book, at once an evidence of the CO
ored mans oppression, and her own treac
S cry to humanity. For two consecutive Sc
sions the Wings have had it in their pow
e 10 redeem the state from this foul blot, a
t twice have they refused to do it, %preferri
d the favor of men-stealers and their abetto
to the approval of God and their own &C
d sciences. We believe, however, that n
withstanding this, opposition to these laws
l. becoming stronger and stronger.
L To those who have seen the war-spi
sweep in its strength over the West-w
have witnessed the eagerness of some of
: people to fight for slave territory in Tex
. and steal new provinces from Mexico, it m
- seem, at first sight, that anti-slavery inst'
. of progressing is retrograding. But not
these very facts serve to strengthen
cause, and have already done much to W
u ken the love of the people for that On
y which brings chains and slavery to the C
y ored man of the South, and loss of prope
;" and life and honor to the white man of
North. We know that slavery ever has
e. led the country, and will continue 10 do
in while the present union lasts, yet in the {
ee tial adoption of our principles may be S
is the precursor of a coming day that shall '
ness the sundering of the chains that b
d. the north to the support of slavery. The