Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-12-22
THE VALUE OF THE UNION.

1t is q grave question whether there is a
provision in the United States Constitution,
for the protection of the citizens of one State,
while travelling in another. In the case of
Barrett, the inquiry was made, What can
be done for him against the authorities OF
South Carolina, so as TO protect hin in his
rights as a citizen of Ohio 2" A learned
Judge of the Supreme Court of the United
States replied, that there was N mode OF
reaching his case ; it was q point overlooked
in the formation of the Government" II
this be true, it must finally destroy the union
of the States. How can we be contented
with a government which imposes taxes up
on us, and affords lis no protection We
know of at least one individual who was
much opposed to Abolition and Abolition
lists, now completely converted into a Disun-
ionist, by the conduct of South Carolina to
Mr.. Barrett. If the same thing had happen
ed in Mexico, the United Suites would have
gone to war, rather than allowed one of our
citizens to nave been thus treated. But
South Carolina does as she pleases with a
citizen of Ohio, guilty of no crime, a viola
tor of no law, human or divine, calling Tor
any civil penalty she arrests him, searches
his person, takes away his private letters and
papers, publishes them in her newspapers,
with insulting comments; casts INN INTO
prison, refuses to bail him, confines him
closely four months in the sickliest season
of the year, threatens to inflict death upon
him, law, or no law and finally, having no
testimony to commit him upon, she takes
from him a certificate of deposit for a thous-
and dollars, which he had in his possession
but which she had no right to retain, as the
conditions upon which it was sent had no
been complied with, and leaving INN &c
- A. a. ANanU nj SDlHl-
She imposes the obligation that he return to
be tried at the next term of Court and then
as if to defraud him of the thousand dollars
threatens him with Lynch law, should ne
ever return. If there ever were a baser Sc
of barbarians upon the face of earth thai
these prosecutors of John NJ. Barrett, the,
must have lived in some dark region which
t civilized man has never yet visited.
Yet, the United States Government cal
do nothing i'll the case. What is the gov
eminent fit for? What is it worth? Is
only to protect us from the wrongs that ma.
be perpetrated by foreign nations? Com
, paratively few of our citizens go abroad
, but intercourse between the States is CON
, mon. How is a citizen of Ohio to be re
= dressed against South Carolina outrage?
The Governor of Ohio was written TO o.
the subject. He did not even reply to tn
5 communication. Was it because he-te
himself powerless to act? If so, then w
are the losers by having a federal govern
ment, for without it, Ohio could demand an
e enforce redress. As it is, if she attempt
c then the United States Government interpt
SEES, not to have justice done, but to que
what would be called civil war. Is this so
Can Ohio do nothing in the case Are he
d hands tied Is she bound by a federal con
pact to suffer her citizens to be insulted an
e abused? Then, of what value is the Union
We leave the question that our readers ma
Il reflect upon it for themselves, seriously.