The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-14

On the rxhs Of Others. In the midst OF q SECTIONS
controversy which has shaken the government
its centre, il has been our boast that Indiana hs
| been faithful to the c0asrituiioa-her tribunals o
justice have ever been unawed and uuiaftuenced
and il 10 my firm belief that she will be found faith
full to the last.
coming storm; and although the spec in the horizoa
may now be no larger than q mans hand, il por-
tends crisis in public affairs which will test the
sta bihty of public institutions. Threatened
appeals to the misguided passions Of portion Of
the people Of the North, have placed weapons
in the hands Of those in the South who seek to
overturn the government. Where this is 10 end,
We must stand by the rights of others as we stand
by our own. We must observe the lave, and we
must enforce their observance where they are re-
sisted-we must keep our faith, not only with each
other, but with the citizens OF other States.
You, gentlemen, are assembled from every part
Of The State-yOu are familiar with the public sen
tn.ent; and il il your province to investigate the
matters to which have alluded; and, for this pur.
pose, yeu will have all the aid that the process and
authority OF this court cen give you. IL there are
persons within this district who have rendered
themselves smenaole TO the penalties prescribed in
the 7lh section of the Fugitive Slave law, you will
present them to this court for trial If this law
been resisted, or its execution prevented by the
violence or intimidation OF organized bodies OF
men, 1t 10 your duty TO prefer indictments against
them. In all your proceedings, however, you viii
be careful that no political feelings or prejudices
shall faint the mpariialiiy and the independence of
your dehberation.
RESPONSE OF THE GRAND JURY THE U s. COURT,
FOR THE DISTRICT or INDIANA, To THE CHARGE or
JUDGE HUNTINGTON.
The Grand Jurors of the United States District
Court, having had their attention called to viola
lions Of the Fugitive Slave law, by charge from
the Judge at the opening Of the present term Of the
court, presented the following report, which was
read and ordered TO he published.
Ii Is proper TO say that the report was uuani-
mously made, and mat almost every sect and Sec
lion Of The State were repre- scented in that body.
The undersigned, grand jurors OF the United
States Court for the District of Indiana, feel il TO
be their duty TO respond 10 the elaborate charge
given TO them by the Court upon the subject of the
Fugitive Slave law, and to say, that they fully en-
dorse the sentiments and views therein expressed.
No overt act has been brought TO the notice OF the
jury upon which to frame an indictment for viola.
lions of this law but acts of public notorey bre ah-
ing strong Ssase,sn and SPsosaon 70 this law
some several instances within this district. Ii 10,
however, well ascer :ained, that the number OF
those expressing their opposition to the enforce
ment of the law, amount to very small portion OF
our population, and it is believed that no serious
resistance TO this any other law of Congress is
TO be aPpreheDded within this State. II any vio-
latons Of this provision Of Congress-or any other
that II was competent for US TO notice-had been
brought TO the attention of this body in proper
form, they would have been promptly reported to
the court in the form Of an indictment, and we
COuOt moi, tnht suDocqucut Juflcs Will lcti uAC
obligation, and act with promptness and fidelity in
taking the initiative towards Furnishing offenders of
every Character against the law OF the general go
veInment
Every prudent effort and diligent inquiry has been
made 70 ascertain whether any violations Of the
Fugitive Slave law have been committed within
this State, and none were found sufficiently unc-
quivocal in their language to warrant the nding of
bill that could, with reasonable certainty, be sus-
tanned; but il has, nevertheless, been the ardent
desire OF the jury 10 vndicate the law, and procure
the proper punishment Of all those who violate its
enacments. We feel assured that the courts of
this portion of the country are sound in all the pin.
cpes OF integrity and JUSTICE and that the rights OF
the citizens OF every portion OF the United States
may with proprsy and safety be committed to their
invesigati On and decision. We feel also assured
that the great body Of our citizens, Of every
section and every party, are an order loving and
law. abiding people, strongly attached TO the con-
siitutiop, the Union. and to the laws, and will, by
all moral as well as Dy all legal means, sustain the
compromises of the first, the permanence OF the
SC cond, and the enacimenu of the third. And we
feel further assured that every act, whether of
unhspply there should be any within the jurisdlc.
ton Of this court,) will be promptly rebuked by
public opinion, and az promptly and insently
punished BY this tribunal az the laws Of the land
The rish,s Of every State and Territory in this
coniederacy, and the rights Of each and all OF
their citizens ought to be, and are, es well Sc
cured in ell the departments Of justice in Indiana,
as the rights Of the inhabitants OF our own State.
No vitiated condition of public opinion, as ex-
pressed by a few who have mistaken bigotry for
philanthropy, in The least corrupt the foantains
OF justice OF disturb the well settled purpose Of
citizens TO preserve inviolae all their obligations
TO their brethren of every section Of the Union.
Ii is no part of the object Of the undersigned TO
infringe upon or restrict the right Of the citizen
TO express, in a peacsable and becoming manner,
his opposition TO any public measure wherein
be may feel sggneved, even admitting that
such expression Of opinion may be the result
Of misconception, or a distempered imagination ;
but, under all circumstances, we feel IL TO be
duty to inculcate submission TO the cons;itu-
tional powers Of Congress, and to warn those who
would wilfully tramplc under foot the laws OF the
government, and 10 condemn its authority, that
such a course cannot be pursued with IMMUNITY,
and we invoke all good citizens OF the State 10 join
in condemnipg the wrong, by ell mortal means,
and TO assist in upholding the supremacy Of the
lave at all hazards.
Ohl0 md the HMM.