The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-26
Judge Grier and tho Fugitive Slave Law

MS distinguished JurlSt and flrm Judge
merits the commentator of every lover of his
country and friend OF the Union for his lucid
expostlons of the laws, and his determination,
SO far as depends upon him, to carry them into
effect without regard to fanatical violence or local
preudces. The Pittsburg Chronicle has the
! following notice of the remarks made by Judge
q. on the opening of the L. S. Circuit Court
| in that city last week:
AT the opening of the United States Court on
Tuesday morning, Judge Grier announced the ap-
ponment, by the court, of Samuel f. Hench, Esq,
of Juniata county, Adolphus ID. Wilson, Esq, of
Lycoming county, and J. B. Sweetzer Esq of Ale
ghany county, as commissioners of the court; and
al the same time took occasion to request the men,
bers of the bar present and others to recommend
to him gentlemen in the neighboring counties who
were competent and willing to perform the duties
of the office He said that the late act of Congress
concerning fugitives from labor had imposed it as
duty upon the court TO make such appointments
IN places where their services were likely TO be
needed. That he was much grieved to find that
some, who had heretofore been appointed TO this
Office, had. been compelled by threats and denun-
cations through fear OF injury to their profession,
property, persons TO refuse the execution of the
authority conferred upon them. He did not mean
to censure any, who, under such circumstance
had felt unwilling TO the risk Of injury or
odium in the service of their country. But he
~Ould take tuIs occa.ion observe, tnat the time
had come when those who protested obedience to
the lsws, who were DESTROYS of the perpetuity of
this Union, who were anxious to avoid disunion
and civil with all it's horrors must take their
stand and no longer shrink from their duty as good
citizens
"Hithcrto, those who had been accustomed 10
bold their meetings and conventions TO howl forth
curses and denunciatons against the institutions OF
the country, both civil and ecclesiastical had been
treated as harmless fanatics-with pity if not con-
tempt. But when their railing and vituperation
were becoming successful "a means of intimidation
against the honest and sane portion of the commu.
nity-when mobs Of negroes were urged on TO mad
ness and counsced to arm themselves for the pur-
pose frebellion against the laws and were bounded
on to murder its ofhcers-such diseased members
OF the body polite could no longer be treated with
contempt or indifference. And while on this sub.
ject he would say, that this city, which contains SO
many excellent and valuable citizens, whom he had
long esteemed and respected has been the subject
Of much libel and SANDER abroad, false and un.
founded az be would fondly believe He referred
not to the standing zest Of peculiar tasto with
regard TO the place from which we selected our
chief magistrate, Joseph Barker,) but TO a much
more serious accusation, affecting some OF our mott
bonored and respected citizens. Was il possible
that such men, possessing property, character and
the reputation Of sanity, could far have forgotten
their duty christians and citizens al to be found
harsnguing large assemblages Of negroes and 9TH
err, urging them 10 arm themselves, to oppose
tho execution Of the laws with violence and to muir
der its oihcers' Did such persons not know that
those who cXhort others TO commit murder arc
themselves accessories TO the murder-that those
who urge others into a reasonable opposition to
their government are themselves traitorsi
"lfa poor negro, driven to madness by such ha-
rangues, should murder an officer Of the law, must
he be hanged, and bis white adviser 20 clear
Such would not be found to be the law, and il Ger.
tainly would not be justice. He would say that if
the addresses imputed to certain Of our citizens
were not grossly mistaken and exaggerated, Gas
he believed and hoped they wero,) they may be
thankful that the negroes, either through A want
Of opportunity or the possession of more prudence
and honesty than their white advisers, have not
followed their wicked advice For If they had nc
should probably have had more painful duties to
perform with regard to them, and which he hoped
by these remarks TO avert in future; otherwise they
mghtrely on tthatth " no opposed the execution
Of the laws with violence and boodshed should most
nssuredly be punished; and those who reck essy adj
vised and tempted them 10 their ruin shall share
in their punishment, let their wealth and standing
in the community be what il might In concl,.
sion, the judge expressed hope that the com.
missioners appointed by the court would, when
called upon 70 execute the law, do IL with Impair
tiality and frmness rcgardles, Of threats and de.
termination"