Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-10-15
RESISTANCE TO THE FUGITIVE SLAVE
LAW AT SYRACUSE.

LAW AT SYRACUSE.
A brief history of the resistance lately Of
ferred to the Fugitive Slave Law q. Sy racuse,
N. Y, together with some spirited structures
by the Editor of the Star, will be found be-
low. The Editor deserves credit for the
fearless manner in which he speaks Of the
affair, and the ''scoundrels and traitors" con-
cerned in it. The occurrence took place on
the 1st inst.
That the city Of Syracuse was disgraced
on Wednesday by the occurrence oil r'"',
during which The authorities were paralyzed
or refused TO perform their duty, is by this
time a matter of notoriety in every State and
every city in the Union. The fact no one
but traitor or a knave will have the hardi-
hood TO deny.
For the outlines Of The affair we must re-
fer to OUT paper Of Thursday. 10 ,ha, re-
nor, we find nothing that requires alteration.
These outlines we now propose 10 fill up,
to render The picture Of their infamy more
complete, who, occupying respectable sta
ton in society, melted, by the basest means,
q horde of ruffians to desecrate the temple
OF Justice and to violate law Of the United
States.
The riot commenced in The Commission
er's Office in the second story of the Town
send Block. The principal insliga.ors Of il
were two physicians and a clergyman Of this
city. The fugitive was seized by negro
carman Of this city.
The fugitive was re-captured and con-
signed 10 The police office. Then the abo-
li,ionists renewed the excitement, and their
orators by infammatory appeals to the
crowd which collected 10 front of The office
strove, by every means in their power to in
cite them 10 assault upon the Marshal and
his assistants.
This disgraceful state Of sfsirs continued
q, 8 l-2 A. NJ, and all this while the Mayor
made no attempt to disperse the mob or to
restore order and obedience to the laws fur
.her than TO ask the rioters individually to
go home!
The Sheriff being called upon for assist
ance by the Marshal, very promptly request
ed the commanders of the Citizens Corps,
the National Guards and the Washington
Artillery, to order out their companies The
order was as promptly complied with, and
the companies were assembled at their arm
cries ready for duty, each man being sup
piled with three rounds Of ball cartridge
Before marching TO the Sheriff's office, how
ever, Col. 0. j. Vandenburgh, the command
err of The regiment, issued his order to the
Captains of the three companies Jordiding
them to turn out g! He did this at The solicit
ta,ion Of Charles A. Wheaton and other lead
ing Aboli,ionists, and in accordance with
his own personal pre- udices-snce he was
heard TO express desire that the lalc should
not be erecuted, and his oacn determination
TO do all in his po,cer to prevent lis erecu-
ton.
Having received an order from their Col
10 disband, the commanders Of the compa-
MES had no alternative but TO obey, and the
troops were accordingly dismissed.
When it became known 10 the mob that
the troops were dismissed, they renewed
their menaces against the officers, and the
black and white scoundrels who addressed
them redoubled their exertIons to infsme
,hem 10 The point requisite for the accom-
plisbment of their internal purpose. The
police office, in which The Commissioner
was then holding his examination Of the case,
was assaulted with stones and The windows
broken, until i. became impossible to pro-
coed with the case. An hour and half af.
ter the adjournment, The doors were forced
in and the fugitive rescued.
Col. Vandenburgh's conduct in this affair
is aggravated by the fact that, after the final
escape Of the fugitive, he issued an order for
the Citizens Corps TO turn out Immediately
thus virtually acknowledging, by bis own
hand, when too. late, that he had been guilty
Of an unjusi6able act, in previously coun-
demanding the order Of the sheriff.
Several prominent citizens of Syracuse
were engaged in the riot, and have therefore,
rendered themselves amenable to the law.
The mob was composed chiefly Of white
men, and wss swelled by the strangers in
the city, i. being the day of the county fair,
and an abolition convention, the latter of
which was on hand for full delegation of
lsw breakers.
Warrants have been issued for the ares,
Of the ringleaders, against whom there is a.
bundant testimony.
Newspapers throughout the State Of New
York unite in condemning The late opposi-
ZION to the laws Of the United States a, Sy-
racuse, in wrestling prisoner from the Gus
,ody OF the United States officer. The Jour
nal of Commerce publishes an immense
number Of signatures got up under the aus
pices Of the "Union Safety Committees
several thousands in number, comprising
many of The most substantial and worthy
citizens, without distinction Of party endors'
ing q resolution on the subject, which j:
strong and decided II susiains the Com.
promise in all its parts. 1t deprecates far
iher agitation Of the slavery question ir
Congress, as dangerous to the Union Of TIT
States. !. pledges the signers TO support ne
candidate q. the ensuing or any other cleo
lion, for State officers, or for members O
&C