The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-12-12

acts Of Congress @ sey were chsxg ed with conspng
70 rest BY force and arms or had any other
nsppsr, 10y which slang term they probably included
not only actual 'dnappers but all masters and owners
seekng TO recspture their slaves and the officers and
agents assisting therein) The testimony OF the prose-
cution shows that notice had been given that certain
fugitives were pussued The riot instruction tumut
whatever you may call IT, but . sudden concis-
mstio" running together to prevent the capture of
certain OF their friends companions to them
arsted Previous to this Transaction no sttenpt hsd
been made to arrest fugtives under the new act Of
Congress- by public officer Heretofore arrests had
been made not by the owner in person. his agent pro-
without any authority but melted by cupdity the
hope Of Obtaining the reward offered for the return Of
fugitive, had heretofore undertaken to seize them By
dwellings ct night and insult the feelings and preudces
Of the people 1t not to be wondered 4 that people
subject such inrosds should csnsder odious the per-
petrstors Of such deeds and denomnate them kidnap
pers nd that the subjects Of this treatment should have
been encouraged in resisting such agsressions where the
rightfu claimant could not be distinguished from the
odious kidrspper, the fact ascertained whether
the person seized deported stolen, in this manner
of social feelings no evidence Of determination
conspiracy BY e people to publicly resist any legislation
OF Congress Or levy war against the states That
should have been committed Is deeply to be deplord
That the engaged in it guilty of aggravated
riot and murder cannot be denied. The assault and
murder we're wantony committed after all attempts to
execute the process had been abandoned. This insult
upon the laws Of the country deserves, and presume
shall be proves to be the guilty psrticpstors in it. But
riot and murder offences against the State
ment II would be dangerous precedent for the Court
and Jury in this case to extend the law by
structio TO doubtful The time may come, when
with elective judiciary dependent upon the viii OF the
majority (which here the sovereign powsr may use
such precedent to justify the foulest oppression and
Injustice, and the tragedies enacted by Scroggs and
eres repeated again suly the page Of history
But word lot be doing Justice 10 all parties concern
ed in thee prosecutions did not express my cordial
appreciation Of the course pursued by the authorities OF
Ska I,t~. u-vla topf
This is the eecond instance in which citizen Of
Maryland in the legitimate pursu of rights
the soil OF Pennsylvania As might be expected, it ere
ated 9 great excitement and great feeling of
inosnsilon in the breasts OF thu people Of that
State. TIE act Of 1850, passed to secure them
in the enjoyment Of their acknowledged rights,
had been received with shout Of disspprobation
IN certain parts of the country Meetings had been held
in many places in the North denounc,ng the law and
advising traitorors resistance to its execution Con-
ventions of infuriaed fanatics had melted to acts OF
rebeen and the pulpit had been deled with uri-
denurcstions Of the laws and exhortatons to q
rebeous resistance to it. The government were per-
fecty justified in supposiny that this transaction
but the first act Of reasonable conspiracy,
tending many Of the northern States to r9ist by
force Of arms the execution of thi, article OF the cons
tuition and the laws formed in pursuance OF it. In max
ing these arrests and having this Investigation the
officers of government have done no more than their
strict duty The activity zeal and ability which have
been exhibited by the learned Attorney Of the United
States in endesvorips to bring to condisn punish
nsnt the perpetrators of this gross offence de-
tion to the Court also, that the learned Attorney
General of Maryland. and the very able counsel
ciated with him have taken part in this
And am persuaded that, notwithstanding the unfortu-
nate and dhgracefu occurrence which has taken place
and the just feelings Of indignation by the people of
Maryland caused by it, that this meeting OF that State
by its rel esentation here With the people Of Pennsyl
vana viii tend t. eface all angry feelings and foster
those OF respect and friendship between the people OF
these adjoining States And though the duty OF punish
Ing the perpetrators tf this outrage may have 70 be
in whole in part to the courts Of Lsncss
ter county, have assurance from the activity aud
zeal already exhibited by the law officers Of that county
that it will be performed with ali fidelity With these
remarks the is committed TO you.
The Judge concluded his charge about two o'clock
when the Jury retired and in fifteen minutes returned
verdict Of Nor Curry.