The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-13
The Christlana Treason Trials.
TWELFTH DAY.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec

PHILADELPHIA, Dec, s.
Mr.. BREsT having been interrupted by the
adjournment on Saturday, resumed his address
by saying that he had omitted to notice on Satur.
day. an appeal made by the counsel for the de.
Tense, Mr. Lewis, calculated TO prejudice the
minds of the Jury against the South. lie seemed
70 bring here a sort Of indictment against the
South for the institution of slavery. He said
that by the laws of some the slave States free
colored persons are arrested and sold into slav-
cry for their jail fees Speaking for my own
State, may say that there are no such ba'bIr
Gus statutes in the State Of Maryland. There
they mingle the code Of justice and the ins,itu
ion Of slavery with every consideration Of hu.
manty.
But the South is compelled TO pass laws
against free colored citizens, as the gentleman
has been pleased 10 call them, settling among
them. Free colored citizensl Why, gentlemen,
do YOU recognize them as free citizen DO you
give them every political right that you enjoy
II underst nd the state Of feeling at the North,
very widespread sentiment prevail- "a 10 the
necessity for law against the immigration oi
free blacks into your borders. And il will even
tually be found necessary for your own protec.
ton and well.bcing The counsel has said that
the Union was not 10 be dissolved by refusing
to execute any act Of Congress that the current
Of the Union runs frrcr and purcr and deeper
than to be turned aside by such tri1ing obstruc
tons. / may say, in the language Of Patrick
Henry, the gentlemen cry "Peace peace WHEN
there is no peace"
As much as love the Union, and we all love
the Union, the Day will soon arrive when the
Union will be in danger When the South and
West shall find that the bond Of Union IL no
stronger than piece Of parchment, who shall IN
that dreadful day in that day Of wrath say tbs,
the Union is not in danger; the South will then
stand as unit to resist injustice and oppression
10 petpetuatc the rights handed down to them
by their forefathers. We all agree that tn
Union should not be dissolved bat III sin lies
not at our door. tina its pcrpetuity u IN p"ril.
No, nor at the door Of large portion CT the
North, but is TO be attributed to that miserable
faction who are seeking to dissolve the bond OF
the Union.
Nor are the blacks 40 much in fault who imbrue
their hands in the blood Of citizens Of the South,
seeking to reclaim their property, az the white
man who urges them 10 deeds OF violence and
blood. and they are less censurnble than those
in high places--in Congress and in the pulpit
who forget the obligations that the Constitution
imposes upon, aud stir mp this feeling OF bitter.
ness, and the opposition to tie laws, Instead Of
endeayoring to cultivate peaceful and fraternal
feeling. Ycu are not strong enough TO snodu
the South, and il you could carry on war OF
invasion, you could not re-unite the broken
chain.
Mr.. Brent now read from one Of the speeches
Of Dan Ell Webster, in Congress, TO show whal
he thought Of the dissolution Of the Union, and
Of the consequences that would follow so dire
! fol an event lie also referred to the CLOSING
portion of Washington's Farewell Address. Z
! show what that great man thought Of the obi
cations resting upon all TO observe and carr
out the provisions Of the Constitution. The
gentleman did not mean to prejudice the mind
Of the jury against the prisoner. He asked then