Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-27
A PROPHECY

1
July Grafton delivered in the town Boston in 1887
by Judge Dawes, more wild and improbable than
almost any Of the wild flights with which speculative
men now amuse themselves
"a legislation common, in certain cases, to all the
States, will make nation in reality as well as in
name. This will permit us to respect own station
and to treat on equal grounds with other Powers will
suffer us to be just at home and respectable Dad
will render property secure and convnces that the
payment OF debts ls our truest policy and our hobps
honor. This will encourage husbandry and arts will
settle with numerous and happy families the banks oil
OHIO and the borders of kennebec. Hurons neglected
waves, Superior's wilderness of waters now !,rlorr
and unemployed, shall bear the countless vessels ofin-
terna traffic Niagaras foaming Cataract crowned
with columns OF vapor and retracted fires, shall not all
ways bar tho intercourse of mighty lakes. The me-
ehanic arts shall find passage from Erie to Ontario
| and Champlan shall be led iu triumph to the bosom of
| the deep.
Extract from The Charge defipc,ed By Jiege Nelson, 10
the Grand J@y at the Circuit CONT Of the U1.ited
| States at 4dl6any, oct. 81 1851.
The District Attorney has called my attention 10 a
crime recently committed in one OF the most populous
towns IN the western part OF thus State-Ae case of
the aelzure and rescue OF fugitive slave out of the
hands of federal officer by an unlawful assembaee
OF people, more or less armed, pending an exanna-
ton before the magistrate, pursuance of an Act of
Congress, passed Sept Is, 1850
The crime as alleged, committed in the edge
OF the evening, IN the midst oil the local police and
| municipal authorities OF city OF intelligence and
characer and this after threats and other unnstak
able evidences OF an intended rescue and crime had
been given out.
| The Marshal, and all the authorities associated with
him. and other persons coming to his aid and assis
lance were qverborne by the violence OF the mob
ahG law anu legal autnorlly trampied under tooE.
The case ls calling for grave and serious in
curry on the part OF the public authorities Neither
time nor expense should be regarded in the nvesti
CATION OF the crime, and III bringing the guilty often
ders to justice. In serious, striking the
very foundation of government OF laws and substi-
tutlng in its place brute force and anarchy, the whole
power OF the government should be put requsl-
ton to suppress line spirit OF disorder, and punish the
guilty, No government worth preserving that does
not or cannot enforce obedience to its laws.
Inc I'm section OF the act OF 1870 makes 1t mis-
demeanor subject to fine and lmprisonment-the
fine not to exceed $1,000, and Imprisonment not TO
exceed six moatls-for any person knowingly to OBJ
struct the arrest of fugitive from service or for anv
person to rescue, attempt rescue the same after
the arrest is made TO aid abet, assist, direct
ly or indirectly IN an escape or The punish
ment, according to this act, is by indictment and
CONVICTION before the District Court of the United
States tor the district within which the offence Is
committed.
The I'D section OF the act OF Congress passed April
3d. l090 also provides for the of the obstruction
OF legal process IN the hands OF officer of the led
sral government: Inc offence is punishable by fine
not exceeding $780, and imprisonment not exceeding
twelve months.
80 Tar asl respects me obstruction TO the execution
OF legal process, or toTcIbe rescue OF the prisoner,
under the fugitive slave act the provisions of that
probably supersede those OF the act OF l790 with
~ a'i aa of ,zco r;,,,. e t mo-, - ,.,,;-
Inc act OF 1871 provides Tor the case OF assulllng,
beating OF Woundng any federal officer or other per
son duly authorized, while engaged IN serving
cutting any process.
This case is not specifically provided Tor in the
OF 1850; and may apply as well to execution of
process under that act as any other, as there is no
necessary repugnancy between the Two acts IN this
respect
There Is some doubt whether or not the Circuit
Court OF the United states has jurisdiction OF the oil
fence committed undr this act OF 1890; as the act IN
terms limits tne recoghHance 10 tie DlstrIct Court
have, therefore. advised the District Attorney
present the cases before that Court
Court OF all crimes and offences cognz2ble there
IN But II may be question whether this provision
applies TO jurisdiction subsequently, conferred on the
Distinct Court as specifically as that IN the act OF