The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-30

N Fsnaucs, EeAat
The following letter Of Judge Grier, Of the Supreme
Court. should be read carefully by every man who de-
ara. to know exactly the character and operation OF the
slave law II seatters in breath all the log ana
mys6caiion in which the abotonists have sought 70
.uyeop this law. lfany honest man. OF ordinary MEL
rencs doubts and rails after this Argument we shai DC
realty surprised:
Prom the Philadelphia LEDGER
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. ~, 1850.
DrAa sIR The Of Henry Gsrnet WE was arrested
INV snoxyn ~ he fugitive slsveaw, is the first Of the
which ha, been hsaa expressed BY the in re-
on - ,hs construction and operation Of the act have
80 VERY numerically repoed and the Importance OF the
,sy me- 10 hope that you may find Ii convenient and
eesIis 10 yourself put Them in proper form for pub
T sh section Of the act contains provision, that in
Iai or 6sariag uader me ae shaH s testimony Of al
- nype BIZ admitted sscs II has been supposed
M hsss words prohibit person who may be arrested
"a claimed as fugitive from introducing any testimony
before ns sy ii free s
d and sold slave for life the unsupported oath of
although HUNDRED w,ns h may 1e
great extent and hence IL should be no matter oil sur
the y hs aGSes q o s ss Spnd
Irady mperl het 'es w an open and violent resist
knce OF The law u, !,
II,rsood you intimate very distinctly that the alleged
rty. is sattd toa tu aud fair hsaring 1.-The is able,
onpetsnt testimony, contradict the testimony OF the
mapt-o prove thai he owes him service, that lie
Tree mani understood your opinion be thar is his
vdonbed right do and the clear duty OF the Judge
e, he NAV oiIer The point directly presented
but seemed TO he conceded thar the words
,he ,econ which have referred 10 only that the
tasSed fugitive shall not be admitted as a witness for him
1 Wb.u II Is Iudicaiy announced that the act cannot
sa,e as general oStay OF the free coored population
n 'e nss Which the wrt haSess corpus seeare res
him aud abfidsss right which be lawfully possessed
The act was passed-hc main of the excite
eni which exists This subject will probably be
moved
uhnk were all sustained by Judge Kane and yourself
hearing Of arnes and may be desired for the
AXE OF the institution the public peace and public JUS
Expressed may 90 forth in more perfect and authentic
pm Than presented in the loose and unsatisfactory
hort which has been published .95..
i am, very respectfully, yours Gc;, ,
( Hon RoBERr G. GREER
PnILApELrilIA, October 25 1850
| DEAR SIR My official engagements have hindered mo
Nm giving prompt attention to the your
eu Of I'D instant which would otherwise have re-
ksyed,
what possible could be assigned Tor the
euuncia,ions with which the concerning fugves rom
ved by many persons in the northern portion OF our
nlon Although Il would o. improper for me 70 volunteer
nn ,as VET fanw M %
ua on the late Of Henry GaIne, or which, though
then expressed seem TO Inc incapable OF dispute,
.ye any tendency correct misapprehensons and calm
b. public agitation on this subject am perfectly willing
STATE them
founded the affidavit OF the alleged OF
uglvc But ION the trial or hearing" before the court,
ef arrest this affidavit was not received in evidence
did tue counsel Tor the claimant insist that should be
received The claimant had wholly neglected make the
roper proof, before some court judge In Maryland.
absh the that he owner oil slave person held
10 labor aud what The name, age, size, and other
nsGs such person, aud that the person described
Not having svailed himself Of the privilege and
ues given hun by the OF Congress this purpose
I've decided that he bound by the
rules oil evidence, Ia other cases, where title prop
y has 10 he established before court. We refused TO
yher documents OF title, unless properly proven.
The act conempaies Trial and decision OF the court
Judge, involving questions both Of law and fact and
ss the rules OF the common law evidence be fol-
lowed when not changed by statute, the tribunal would be
Without rule governed only 10y price, or underlined DIS
retion, which would be toe exercise OF tyrannica,
JUDICIAL power the duty OF the Judge who exercises
render equal justice both the claimant and the person
ha too without regard any rale principle known
e law, gross oppression and wrong wotd flow
INTO bondage, under forms Jaw and by the action OF
sgai tribunal, sworn do equal and exact justice all
ore legal tribunal before the claimant DO authorized
carry tine alleged might've onl OF the State. bui lakes
saloied before this act Of Congress was passed.
all cases OF exradtion, the evidence establishing the
aade in the county from which the person demanded
and Is niece ssany az pdri and the chief question
De decided by tribunal before whom he brought,
evously 10 making order Tor his extTadon, is only
question ri tdeRtHy. The party demanded has right
course TO show that he Is person described But
&c be the peron described he has no right 70 claim
la as 10 the question Of his guil', In e country to
shch he has escaped. The question OF identity, and
heher the person claimed Is such the treaty be-
seen the countries requires TO be- delivered up has
ways been tried summary, and without the intervention
ajury No complaint has been made when uits
m have been sent to Europe demand for their ex-
sdinon without giving them jury trial and why greater
ons is easily perceived The Stale Pennsylvania
guarantees jury trial to her own citizens persons
ho are charged with committing offence within her
ode Fugives from another State have such ights
he government 10 which the fugitive belongs, IL is be
ssumed will do justice to It's subjects citizens
nd whether they do not is oil How
vsr individuals may fancy they have a mission
" all wrongs the face OF the earth, the State OF
Pennsylvania does not feel herself bound to the Qux
ussa OF slaves in Georgia This ACT OF Congress does
ot require that judge should, without trial.
t citizen OF Pennsylvania 10 kdnapper. The pro-
sion, tbat trial hearing under this shall the
simony Of such fugitive DO admitted In evidence"
no more than The enactment OF an established prn-
PIE Of tue common law, thar shall be witness in
|. own cause. II this provision were not Ia the act,
oud not receive the testimony OF the prisoner prove
ai he was not the person described that he free
an ~ would be n temptation 70 perjury which no tri-
na should permit to be presented TO ANY No law
would urge before court such an absurd construction
NE act Of Congress that IL evidence
oad be heard on tho part OF the alleged fugitive such
ess IN unequivoca terms. In truth, there Is nothing
oca IN The language OF the act II forblds the judge 70
he testimony oil the fugitive, but not the testimony Of
sineres'ed Witnesses IL almost that nothing but
desire TO render the odlous for the sake Of political
s couu ever have led 70 80 gross INSTRUMENTATION
!, ~ 10 s,cst libel on our national legis AZURE.
@e eo,PN act lnasmucb as II that the certificate
ne luase or commissioner .shaIl be conclusive OF the
,; me persons IN whose favor granted to remove such
suyc and shall prevent all of such person OF
NV md Ia