Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-02-20
INDIANAPOLIS, FEBRUARY Is, 1851.
The statesman---A Question of veracity.

We call attention to the correspondence between Hon.
c. Fitch and Hon. John L. Robinson publishedin our
paper of to-day. brief history Of this mean and con-
temptibe transaction is necessary proper under
standing of these letters At the time Dr. Ellis CON-
menced his furious attack the fugitive slave law OF
last session. he expected doubt to have the sympe
thy Of DIR. Fitch who had voted against the passas oil
the bill This necessary prop up his sinking Tor
tunes in Northern Indiana His miserable free soil abor
tion had met with but little from his old
friends and the aid and Of DIR. Fitch would be
God send. Again necessary, possible, to embroi
Dr. Fitch and the Editor in a controversy which might
end to the advantage of the Statesman To accomplish
this we understand that he sought interview with
Mr. Fitch who stopped at Indianapolis his way to
Washington taking care to have his father-in-aw Mr..
E Brown present witness, to prove his assertions
when he should publish this private conversation. He
then commenced interrogating DIR. Fitch to the
course Of the Editor the various adopted by
Congress and particularly the fugitive slave bill In
this conversation Blr. Fitch probably alluded to vote
which the Editor gave under a misapprehension and
which Immediately corrected and stands on the
journal Forthwith Ellis garbles and perverts this
statement into declaration that DR.. Fitch had urged
the Editor not vote for the fugitive slave law and
then is guilty Of that should bring the blush Of
shame his brandy burnt face by publishing private
conversation. DR.. Fitch is an honorable man and his
assertion worth than Ellis and all his long tailed
concessions The journals viii show how the Editor
ted. Let him examine them and publish them to the
world. Long before any Of the compromise
ures passed. the editor openly avowed his determination
10 vote for On amendment to the fugitive slave law Of
1893, which would officer in each county, who
would be authorized issue writs for the of ug
tves and try the question Of their owing service.
He determined so far his concerned to stop
the mouths of the Southern disunionists who
tinualy prating about the North entcing away their
negroes and refusing give them up demand and
human being advised him vote otherwise and if they
had it would have been unavailng. On the bill abol-
shng the slave trade in the District of Columbia an
amendment offered, making the stealing enticing
slaves away Penitentiary offence the previous
question Immediately called and by rule Of Con-
gress the was first taken the amendment, the
editor voted aye under the impression that it the
engrossment OF the BILL and when DIR. Fitch and Mr..
Robinson called his attention to the mistakes he changed
his VOTE he had right to do, and which is every
day occurrence especially towards the close of the
ion when all is confusion Here we might stop, but the
editor desires that Dr. Ellis who is hard find
fault with his votes, may also know his opinions. The
amendment right in principle, and il it had been
House BILL should have been adopted. His vote against
it matter Of expediency to prevent the necessity
of returning the bill the Senate The northern abol
tOnsts make their annual Gorays into the District of
Columbia and away the slaves when Congress is in
session This makes furious excitement in the South
and the whole North is made to suffer for the infamous
conduct Of few who defiance the laws, and the
only punishment is fine, under old law OF Maryland
which originally payable in tobacco Such marau-
ders ought to find a homo in the penitentiary-