The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-17

brethren are vehemently enlisted in behalf of
runaway negroes, to whom they give all the aid
and comfort in their power. The same sympa-
thies, however, are not brought into action
where white fugitives from service and labor
are concerned. It seems to them but right and
proper to countenancc and support our run
sways, but very wrong and very improper on
our part to initiate their example, even though
recourse ia had to the form of law to sanction
the procedure. We know nothing Of the par
ticulars of the case to which reference is made
in the following article, taken from the Montreal
Courier, of July 10th; but, whatever the merits
Of that matter may be, it is very certain that our
Canadian neighbors can make such complaints
with very bad grace, owing to the reason
stated above:
From the Montreal Courier, July 10.
We perceive by the American papers, that
the deserter Walsh has been acquitted and set
at liberty by the Yankee authorities. This is
neither more nor less than offering premium
to desertion from the British ranks, and shows
M In plain terms what measure of justice we
may expect when we have our neighbors of the
model republic for our judges. It was supposed
that a. the rascally deserter had feloneous taken
property along with him, he might come under
or within the provisions of the Ashburton
treaty; but the United States commissioner,
Mr.. BRIGHAM, who seems to be burning and
a shining legal light among American lawyers,
acquitted him, on the ground that the robbery
was incidental to the desertion. Incidental! Did
this Yankee Daniel ever hear Of robbery, or
vnur1os fhafvx mt moi al IN
thing or another If this be the way that trea-
ties are interpreted by American judges, nothing
can possibly be left to US but to treat them az
lawless brigands, with whom no treaty can be
made.
Incidental the act of running away, may, it
seems. according to republican motions" of ju-
risprudence, and Interpretation of international
treaty, be acquitted, because running away is not
punishable by law, and the robbery or murder
being incidental to the running away, the william
must escape punishment Had this deserter, in
the act of escaping, met and shot one of his Of
ficers for the purpose of facilitating his criminal
intention, this infamous crime would also have
been, according to American Interpretation OF
law, an incidental one, and the perpetrator of it
must therefore have escaped punishment We
hope when the next edition of the American
Dictionary is published, the word incidental"
along with its English acceptation, will also be
made to signify, exemption from any cine
committed in the act Of runnig away, particu-
larly if the criminal be Britisher taking refuge
in free America.
Some time ago party of the band of regi-
ment stationed at Toronto deserted, crossing
the lake with their accoutrements and musical
instruments in their possession. Had these vag-
abonds been found and tried by the personi6ed
= L. Y Al
flutes, &c, which they had stolen from the TO.
ronto barracks would have been called incidental
to their desertion, and therefore both they and
their stolen goods being now received as par,
and parcel of the model republic, they could no,
be given up to justice We have scarcely even
seen 30 lively 30 striking, or so practical an H.
lustration of the old adsge, that the receiver lie
Ms bad as the thief" rs this presents to us and
it plainly points out that the American bench is
ms hostile to British interest, rs the most ig-
norant, vndctive loco foco could desire.