The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-19
Treason i'm VermOnt

instances a coward. Fanaticism is gener-
ally understood to mean an adhesion to
favorite ideas at the risk of all personal
consequences. But is the abolitionist a
brave man after the fashion of the fanatics
of the oiden time-the stalwart Crusader,
and the fierce Puritan! !! These latter
dared everything and suffered everything
for the cause they ustained-holding life
as dust in the balance, and undergoing the
worst tortures of self denial and of self
sacrifice. Our abolition zealot, however,
is like neither Of these. He takes good
care TO keep aloof from the States his
doctrines, if enforced, would drench in
fraternal blood. He excites by anathemas
and by words, but is exceedingly cautious
in venturing into the neighborhood where
his motives would justly enlitle him to be
held stern accountability. He does not,
like true fanatic, rush over the Potomac,
sword in hand, but he stands at conve-
nient and comfortable distance, and fires
long shot into the slave holding States, re-
manning safely ensconced in some Wom-
ans Rights meeting or some Anti-Sunday
and Anu-Bible Convention. Thus there
is nothing to respect in such agitators. To
their unblushing treason, they add era
ven cowardice no less unmanly and dis
graceful. 1t will not do to say that it
requires moral courage 10 assert the doc
trines of SLADE, of THOMPSON, and of
GARRISON, for heretofore they have been
regarded by the people of the free States
more with pity than with anger. How
far they will dare to venture the publica-
ton of their treasons, we shall be able to
estimate after few more of them have
been HAyNAUED according to the fashion
of Faneuil Hall.
The last specimen Of Northern Fsnati-
cism has just been exhibited in Vermont,
and we allude TO it with feelings of the
deepest modification. That such pro-
ceedings should have been originated and
consummated in any State of this Union,
is in itself profound cause for regret. 1t
is not in this regard alone, however, that
the act of Vermont assumes its mosl de-
plorable aspect, but it is because the actors
in it have convicted themselves alike of
ignorance, of treason, and of the worst
spirit of lawlessness and infamy. In order
to show that we do not too severely
characterize it, we give the following
copy of the act alluded to:
FROM the vermont PhGnIX.
AN ACT relating TO the writ of habeas
corpus to persons claimed as fugitive
slaves, and the right of trial by jury.
L, is hereby enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of Vermont
SEC. l. The same power is hereby
given TO, and the same duties imposed
upon, the circuit Judges of the several
judicial circuits of this State which are
given to and imposed upon the Judges of
the Supreme Court by the provisions of
chapter thirty EIGHT of the revised statutes,
entitled of "Habeas Corpus"
SEC. 2. 1t shall be the duty of States
attorneys, within their respective counties,
whenever any inhabitanl of this State is
arrested or claimed as fugitive slave, on
being informed thereof, diligently and
faithfully to use all lawful means TO pro-
tect, defend, and procure to be discharged
every such person so arrested or claimed
as fugitive slave.
SEC. g. The application of any States
attorney in writing to any one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court, or to any
circuit judge, signed by said States auor-
ney in his official capacity, stating in sub
stance the name of the prisoner and the
persons OBTAINING him, if known, and that
the person arrested, claimed, or i'm prisoned
is arrested, claimed, or imprisoned as a
fugitive slave, shall be sufficient authority
to authorize the issuing of the writ of
habeas corpus, as provided in said chapter
thirty eight of the revised statutes; and
said writ may be signed by any one OF
said judges, or the clerk of the Supreme
or County Court; and said writ shall be
made returnable 10 the Supreme or County
Court, when in session, in the county
where such application is made: and in
vacation said writ may be made returnable
forthwith before either of the judges afore-
said.
SEC. 4. 1t shall be the duty of all Judi
cial and executive officers in this State, in
their respective counties who shall know,
or have good reasons to believe, that any
inhabitant of this State is about to be ar
rested or claimed as fugitive slave, forth
with to give notice thereof to the States
attorney of tine county in which such
person resides.
Sec. 3. Whenever the writ of hdbeds
corpus is granted in vacation, as provided
in this act, or as provided by existing
laws; if, upon the hearing of the sa me
before any one of the judges aforesaid, the
person imprisoned, arrested, or claimed
as fugitive slave, shall not be discharged
such person shall be entitled 10 an appeal
to the next stated term of the county cour
IN the county where such hearing was
had, on furnishing such bail, and within
I Ifte mo ha nsi. fho