Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-03-19
From the Richmond Enquirer.
A NEW OUTRAGE!

When Southern Wing papers were rejoicing
at the election by miserable majority OF Sea-
bury Ford, as Governor of Ohio, over Mr.. Wei
Ter, who had boldly resisted Abolitionism in all
its forms, we warned them that, though it might
afford them pleasure, it would be death to
Southern rights few months have rolled
round and the evil effects OF Ford's success are
already beginning 10 be felt. The letter from
Governor FLOYD, which we give below will ex-
plain the miserable trckery and grossly insult
ing course Of Governor Ford. We have careful
y read the correspondence, ard we have rarely
known more transparent device to avoid re-
sponsble duty under the Constitution, or more
dangerous and mischievous precedent tor future
argressons on the South.
" hat are the facts Mr.. S. B. Brown, of
Augusta county makes an affidavit before ma
gistrate that his slave JOSEF h Venable, had fe-
lonious]y stolen from him watch and other
property ard that said slave clandestinely left
the commonwealth, and is now lurking in the
State of Ohio (some twenty miles from Wheel
ing as we hear.) Upon this affidavit Governor
FLOYD demands Of the Executive of Ohio the
surrender of Venable as fugitive from justice
Gov. Ford refuses to grant the requisition, f;be
cause of the uncertainty Of the affidavit y it not
describing "when or where the larceny was
committed Gov. Floyd then, a month later
directs another requisition on the Governor Of
Ohio; appending more detailed affidavit, fully
describing the time mhen and the county 7rhere
the larceny was committed.
Gov. Ford again eontemptuously refuses to
grant the requisition, basing his refusal on three
grounds, full of wretehed special pleading He
contends, first that. though the law of Congress
recognizes in general terms basis OF action
"an affidavit made before magistrate charging
a person with having committed treason, felony
Or other crime" yet that such case ''nust have
been intended for casss where delay would de.
feat the object of the law''-and that, so far
from the present affidavit having all the requi-
sites it ss not signed by the applicant, as is u
sual in such cast s." and is not such an affidavit
or paper as would, in the State of Ohio, author
ize a magistrate to issue warrant for an arrest
in of the smallest offence against our GRIM
inal laws" This is the old ground of Governor
Seward, (present Wing Senator in Congress from
New York, J and at once strikes at the root of
State Rights and the institutions and safety Of
the South This Ohio Governor, in violation of
the Constitution, of the laws Of Congress, and of
common sense, undertakes to make our laws
and Judge for us, whether an offence is felony
or not Was more absurd or sweeping nullif-
| cation ever known!
But 2ndly. Gov F. SAYS that the larceny was
committed nearly three years since, and that no
indictment, the best evidence. has been found,
though there has been ample time for it. The
fs.lon however, escaped from the State at the
time OF the offence, and hence no trial could
have been had
Thirdly and lastly, Gov. Ford says:
From such evidence as / here before me.
there is strong reason to induce the belief that
the hat, coat, pantaloons, shoes, &c. were the
wearing apparel of the said Joseph Venable, and
the watch one that had been always considered
as belonging to him, or at least entrusted to his
IF SIch hn tho would hat,
larceny had been committed, and that an indict-
ment would not be found if the case should be
presented before grand jury of the proper coun-
ty.''
Does not this cap the climax of arrogance and
mischief! This Governor sets himself up as
law maker, Judge and lurv-infers from evil
dence clandestinely furnished him, that the fu-
gitive slave is not guilty of the crime alleged
that grand jury would not indict him-and
that, therefore, he must spurn and reject the
constitutional demand of the sovereign State Of
Virginia. The outrage is too strong an one. to
require further comment, and we are glad to see
with " hat promptness and vigilance Governor
Floyd has brought the matter before the Legis-
atufe. II is evident, that anti-saverv fanati-
cism is at the bottom of the movement. 1t in
wolves double offence the crime Of larceny
and the abscondiltg of fugitive slave from his
master. Under all the circumstances the case
is one OF gross outrage
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
March 9th, 1s49.
To the Speaker Of the House of Delegates:
SIR On the Sd January 1919, made a re-
QUESTION upon the Governor of the State of O.
hio, for the delivery of a fugitive from justice,
called Joseph Venable, and described as negro
man slave, the property of Samuel B. Brown.
This requisition was CONTEMPORARY refused,
f1,r,<r
davit. To obviate all difficulty, | made Sc
cond requisition for the same offender on the Sd
day of February. This requisition, like the first,
was also refused, and III manner not less dis
courteous. For the manner in which the de-
mands have been met, refer to documents
herewith enclosed for the consideration of the
Legislature.
1t will be seen by reference to the reasons as
signed i'll the memorandum attached to the last
requisition, that the authorities of the State of
Ohio virtually refuse to recognize the validity Of
the laws of this commonwealth regulating the
proceedings against slaves for criminal offences
Thus constituting the broad ;ngis of a sister re-
public, which was intended to be the guarantee
OF protection from wrong. the stronghold of fll-
gitives from justice, and harbour OF safety for
felons escaping the penalties of the law.
do not doubt but there are many right mind
ed and patriotic citizens in the State of Ohio,
WHOSE FatrlollSm ana sense oil justice Will con-
denim In the strongest manner this fanatical sp-
rit of aggression on the constitutional rights of
the Southern States. can but hope that their
better judgments and more patriotic counsels
Will IN time prevail to save our country from the
ruin and disruption to which the contrary course
VIII inevitably lead. In the mean time, feel
bound to call the attention of the Legislature to
this transaction, with hope that their wisdom
will devise some means of preventing similar
occurrences in future
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant
JOHN B. FLOYD
The GOVERNMENT JEWELS, IMPORTANT AR
REST. An old offender, known as Jim Webb,
against whom there are several indictments
pending, and who is also suspected with having
been concerned in stealing the government Jew