Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-03-03

capital hits that we cannot forbear copying il
particularly as it concerns Ohio.
Commonwealth of Virginia VS.. Martha
Christian.
Indictment fo- teaching a Stare 10 read in tie
Bi6d.
Report Of the trial OF the case of the Com
monwealth Of Virginia, rs. Martha Christian,
in the Court of Common Pleas, in Wood
County, at the August Term, 1877, before
Judge Shacklebar. The indictment was as
follows:
WOod County, to wit. The Grand Jurors
empannelled and sworn to inquire of offences
committed in the body of said county on their
oath present: That Martha Christian, late of
said county, being an evil disposed person,
on the fourth day Of July in the year of our
blessed Lord one thousand eight hundred aud
forty-seven, at Righteous Ridge, in said coun-
ty, not having the fear OF God before her eyes,
but moved and i~nsligated by the Devil, wick
eddy, maliciOusly, and feloniously, did teach
a certain black and negro woman named Re-
becca, alias Black Beck, to read in the BIZ
BILE to the great displeasure of Almighty
God, to the pernicious example of others in
like case offending, contrary % the form of
the statute in such cases made and provided,
and against the peace and dignity OF the Com
monwealth OF Virginia.
BARNEY ~BLArHERsKITE,
Pros. airy.
Endorsed "a True Bill"
PETER PIoUs, Foreman Of the Grand Jury.
On this indictment Mrs. Christian was ar
raigned required to stand up, and hold up
her hand, while the Clerk read to her the
whole of the above indictment. He then de-
manded whether she plead thereto, guilty, or
not guilty.
To this Mrs. Christian replied in person.
that her slave Rebecca had ATTENDED the revi-
val meeting got up last winter by the Rev.
Mr.. Parsons on Righteous Ridge, regularly
every evening, and when she could be spared
during the day, for about two monlhs-that
soon after the meetings commenced, she be-
came greatly distressed about her SOULS sal
walton, and in about two weeks was hopeful
ly converted. She became very humble;
was quite pious, and discharged her duties
as a slave with redoubled fidelity. She also
spent much of her time in prayer. She had
often been solicited to Join the church. This
she had uniformly refused 10 do, alledging
that she would make the bible the guide OF her
steps, and this book she must read herself,
not daring to receive it on the word of talli-
Die man. This seemed so reasonable, said
Mrs. Christian, that | undertook TO teach her
the alphabet, intending to continue giving her
lessons, until she could read the bible. But
as soon as she had reached her alb abs, this
indictment was found, and | then suspended
my Instructions. Whether this makes me
guilty or not guilty, said she, | cannot tell.
Here her counsel, Mr.. Daniel Dexter, rose
and addressing the Court, said THAT add
hitting all Mrs. Christian had confessed was
true, still she was not guilty. The charge
in the indictment is, that " she wickedly, ma
liciously, and feloniously, did teach a certain
black and negro woman named Rebecca, ali
as Black Beck, to read in the bible" The
admission is that she taught her the al phabet
and commenced teaching the alb abs. These
are not the bible. The admission is in fact,
tantamount to a denial, and TO the plea Of
not guilty, and he moved to have that plea
entered.
Mr.. Barney Blatherskite, the prosecuting
attorney, opposed the motion. The admis-
sions by the prisoner were in effect the plea
of guilty, and he moved that the clerk be di-
rected 10 enter that plea.
JuuHe SoHdChieudl Sdiu- III SOuib Cdu-
not consider this as a plea Of not guilty. But
IN consideration Of the severe penalties in
ficted OH those who are found guilty of an
infraction of the statute under which this in
dictment was found, | suggest that the de-
PENDANT withdraw her admissions, and put in
the plea of not guilty. This course, after
consultation, was adopted, and the accused
declared her readiness 10 proceed to trial.
1t,yolyo iurnrS mara fhan oallad intn the hoy.
and the prosecuting attorney was asked if he
had any challenges to make.
Mr.. Blatherskile objected TO Mr.. Fairman
for cause. He had said publicly that slave
ry was wrong, and ought to be abolished
Are such ungodly sentiments 10 be held with
impunity! The man who would utter such
an abominable expression, would rob me Of
my labor, steal the avails of my earnings, oil
act the part of an incendiary. He is chal'
lenged for cause.
MIR. Dexter saw nothing in the objection
If Mr.. Fairman had formed, or expressed, az
opinion of the guilt or innocence of the de
PENDANT, he might be challenged for cause
but the expression of an opinion that slavery
was right or wrong, could have no possibl,
bearing on the issue now to be tried.
"Society," says Judge ~Shacklebar, ere
.auires subordination in rank, and a diversity
Of conditions to advance the general welfare
The sentiment imputed to the juror strikes a
the very foundation of society. The chal
lenge, if true, is we'll taken. The juror, i
he admits it, will leave the box, and if h,
does not, Mr.. Blatherskite will introduce hi
proof." Mr.. Fairman retired, and his plac,
was supplied with a talisman. Mr.. Blalher
skite next challenged Mr.. Wright for taking
and reading an incendiary paper printed a
Louisville, called the Examiner" Mr.
Wright, on being Intercepted as to the trutl
of this charge, denied that the court had am
right to inquire what papers he read. Mr.
Blatherskite insisted he should answer. Mr.
Dexter said the court could neither compe
him 10 nswer nor, in case he chose to an
swer afirmatively, could they make it a caus'
of challenge. The court decided that the u
ror could not be compelled to answer, bu
they would grant a subpoena duess fseum, t