Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-12-26
Kidnapping.


kidnapping.
THE GIBSON CAsE.-We have further accounts
respecting the of the alleged fugitive, Adam Glib
son, at Philadelphia, which go TO show that it was
clear of attempt under color of law, to kidnap
free man. and carry him into slavery. Rice, the pre-
tended agent of Knight, the nominal claimant, is an
oyter dealer in Philadelphia, and fessed when IN
der examination, that he had been arrested for kid
mapping another case, but had not yet had his trial.
The whole proceedings in the were most outrage
mockery of law and justice. The identity was
10 by this same Rice, and other person, and
Rice repeatedly contradcted himself on his cross ex-
animation. The commissioner refused, absolutely, to
give hours delay for the alleged fugitive to
procure Witnesses by whom prove his right to free
dom. Yet with such witnesses as were present that
right was much clearly proved than the identity
was. Still the commissioner Ingraham decided to give
bin up, and thus secure his TEN DOLLARS fee. The
atrocous decision caused strong sensation in PhiI
delPhia, even among those who uphold the infamous
law under which the arrest was made The Sun, edi-
ted by the notorious doughace, Levin thus speaks of
it:-
We have ever advocated the duty of obeying the
Gibson, before Commissioner Ingraham, under that
law, on Saturday, was Of the most fragrant yio-
ations OF Justlce mercy, and the rules of evidence
we ever heard OF. Such indecent haste to remand
presumed slave; such anxiety 10 get rldo SUBJECT
and su IN shameful ex pare testimony has never be-
fore sgraced our community. 1t will tend more to
strengthen fanatcism and exasperate the conscien-
tous aboltionists, than any means that could have
possblyabeen devised. -ffs4e~sse to have such ORA
1aa., al. T. 81 I
repeal Is to be the signal of the dissolution of the
Union, we may as well make up our minds to the
alternative. If the provisions of the law authorize
the surrender Of the supposed fugitive slave, upon
such meagre and conflicting evidence, when the
proof OF his freedom stronger than of his being
slave, when the claim TO the fugitive is at every
point doubtful, such summary decision as given
by Commissioner lngraham, mnst tend to weaken
the confidence of the people of the free States in the
policy and propriety of the BILL We protest against
the partlalty of the Decree the Dogberry stupidity
of the proceedings, and the haste which pervaded
the whole affair. If Gibsons case is to be consid-
cred correct, 1t Is shameful law, instead of being
great measure Of pacifcation
The Times, another pro-savery organ, says:-
The details Cannot, we think, fail to impress every
mind with the idea that the proceedings were hastily
concluded, and the evidence eatireEu Insufficient Il
establish the identity Of the SlaUe 1t is one thing
respect law, however repugnant to natural feeling
and another TO hurry through case without allow
ing even the narrow margin of protection afforded b,
the only section which gives, or affects to give thu
alleged fugitive any security whatever. We canno
but censure Mr.. lngraham for refusing to allow tn
captive the slight privilege of hour for the pur
pose OF procuring further testimony In his favor AT
ter full consideration even of all the evidence ad
duced, we cannot discern even the legal proprety t
say nothing OF the common Justice, of his precipitat
decision 1t is precisely by such action that tn
law Is rendered more unpopular and fresh fuel adde
to the excitement already existing on the subject
These articles, be it remembered, were written whe
was not known that there had been any perjury in tn
case, and when it generally supposed that Gibso
was truly the slave of Knight, claimed under the nam
OF Emory Rice, and that, any legal wrong had bee
done, 1t was only the delivering of him to the complain
ant on insufficient proof But, subsequently proved
that Rlce's testimony tissue of perjury that Gil
son wasnot Emory Price, that he never saw Knight no
Knight him. 1t was, unquestonably an attempt, o
the part of Rice, to get Gibson into his hands a
knights slave, and then sell him at the South. Thi
defeated thus.
The commissioner delivered Gibson into the hand
OF the Deputy Marshall, who proceeded south with hir
to Maryland, and there, instead of giving him M I
Price, continued with him to the residence of knight
who said Adam never belonged to him, and he kne,
nothing of him. When it turned out that he was nc
Knights slave, the officer refused to deliver him to tn
kldnappers, and returned him to philadelphia. BIZ
for tins fidelity OF the officer, Gibson would probabl,
have been now well on his way to Georgia or Louis
ana, where he never again would have recovered hi
1. freedom
We have no terms in which to express the homes
indignation which case like this should excite in th
breasts OF freemen The Law infamous as it is, in il
Legitimate character, acquires ten-od blackness, whe
ii is thus made the instrument in the hands of the kid
nappers, to carry his nefarious business and vbe
the officer Of the Federal Government becomes his con
iederate therein Verify, the patience, and forbear
ance of this people being tried as never were thos
OF any people before Verify, is despotism maxim.
strides larger and more rapid than it ever made anon
any professedIy free people before We now wait t
see whether Knight will be prosecuted for perjury, AM
whether Ingraham, the commissioner, will be removed
from the office he unworthily (or worthiy?) holds
10 The English papers received by the Africa con
tains structures, severe and just upon the treat