The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-27

DeleYo from the feueral ADMINISTRATOR W
proceed against these unfortunate citizens as
traitors: next an elaborate charge from a
United States Judge, magnifying the offence
and urging the old English doctrine of construc-
tive treason: next the powerful efforts of a
United States Prosecuting Attorney, framing
bill upon bill, so as to cut off all chance of es-
cape for the prisoners: then, indictments for
Treason, with an adroit attempt on the part of
the Grand Jury to proposes the public mind
with an impression of the correctness of their
presentment: then, concentrations ofthe fidelity
of the District Attorney by the Grand Jury, and
of the fidelity of the Grand Jury, by the Judge
and finally, 81 OrSss from the rouyt to eorward
a copy "a inc rfese.ls.,.en. V5|o.ss. ftsttsu. 81
~ Hai.eA staS<-5..s.x. va - =: -,
fully his instructions have been complied with.
And now, we learn that the State Attorney
of Maryland is to be allowed to appear as the
leading counsel of the prosecution!
Does all this look as if there were no danger,
no serious intent to convict and hang these men
for Treasoni
This is not all. We must have distinguished
jurors to try the case, SO that their verdict, be-
ing sustained by high character, need not be
interfered with by tho Pardoning Power.
The following paragraph from the National
Mtelligencer announces some of them
"The Jurors summoned to try the treason
cases in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
embrace some distinguished personages Among
them are Simon Cameron General Patterson,
Judge Palmer, and Judge Richards of Berks
county, and no less than four ex-members of
ongress-James Horne, George w. Toland,
Abraham McIlvaine, and Edward Davies, of
Lancaster county. In addition to the above,
there are Joseph ID. Brown, Samuel Breck, Ca
leb Cope Lawrence Lewis, Charles Massey,
Frederick Fraley, William Plat, and George
w. TOland, from among the merchants. The
whole number summoned is l16"
Judges, Generals ex-Senators, ex-Representa-
tives, and Merchants God help the poor pris-
oners! We have nothing to say against these
distinguished personages, personally, but were
we on trial for capital offence, we should pre-
fer jury of twelve plain honest humble men,
without political responsibilities or aspirations
without pride of opinion or station Especially
were we on trial for a capital offence, where
political considerations were involved. should
we shrink from being placed at the mercy of
men, naturally biased by political or pecuni-
airy relations against us. 1t seems to us that
the Marshal, in summoning jurors, has taken
good care to assure the Slave Power, that if
a., la 10 L.
piled with, it shall not be disappointed.
Meantime the Court and Jury are informed
that the whole South is watching the proceed
ings-that upon their action will depend to a
great extent the stability Of the Union--that
the blood of the guilty must flow, if they
would expect to alay excitement among slave
holders. LAST week." says the Louisville
Journal "we heard citizen of one of the
extreme Southern States, very intelligent
man and member of the Union party, say
that much depends in the South upon the results
of the pending trials at the North Of the persons
engaged in the late rescue Of fugitive slaue
from the hands Of the legal authorities. He
said that If the persons indicted fail TO be con-
picted and punished, the feeling at the South in
favor Of separation from the North mil be
greatly deepened and extended, that an fact the
people of the South ,riH conclude that the sooner
they are separated from the North the better"
The Milton IN c. Chronicle, newspaper
of the Constitutional Union party edited by a
postmaster, in an editorial Of October both,
says;
at is evident that unless The ChriStidna and
Syracuse traitors are hung, the Compromise wiii
be mere rope Of sand IN the eye of the free
States-they tciH respect the Compromise so far
ONLY as ii may suit their convenience or pleasure.
And If this be tie case, the South riH deserve
degradation and infamy If she submits to the
Compromise. Is 1t, however, likely to be the
eael We can tell better trhen the traitors of
Christiana and Syracuse shall hare been dis-
posed Of If they are made TO dance befween
heavn and earth 1t WiH not be the ease-the
free States wiH probably respect the lar. But
If, as as feared, jury cannot be had IA favor Of
conpicting them Of treasOn-the case triH be
| different aud the idic may reU be burnt up.
III the latter erent, trhdt should be the duty Of
| the South! Secedes Yes ; unless the law be
] altered so as to make the free States response
| BILE for fugitves whenever found within their
limits and unless being held responsible, each
State pays up promptly for the fugitives it is
found to harbor.'
Such are the influences brought to bear to
secure the conviction and hanging of thirty
American citizens Who does not see that this
internal doctrine of constructive treason is to
be used for the purpose Of bolstering up the
pretensions of the Slave Powera II it can
bring its enemies to the gallows on false
pretence, on lying prosecution, it calculates
fondly upon perpetual security.
viii the Liberty loving people of our coun-
try continue inscnsible to these bold attempts
to institute reign of blood on American soil
We are are no advocates of Disorder. We are
law-abiding citizen. In this country, where
bad laws are the subjects of free discussion
and the citizen may use all his efforts for their
repeal by constitutional methods, forcible re-
sistance 10 law is indefensible unless the object
be reyolution-and the necessity Of that is To
be determined on principles laid down in ouI
Declaration of Independence. But while we
advocate obedience to law, wo protest against
its perversion nor shall we permit our respect
for the Bench to check our denunciations Of
unconstitutional and wicked attempts to snug
gle into this Republic, under the forms of ju'
dicial decisions, the denominations of old Eng.
lish Courts, that lived and moved and had
their being in the breath Of royal tyrants
Try the Christians offenders for misdemea-
nor, a riot and if found guilty, inaict the
legal penalty, But to indict them for treason,
is murderous; to hang them for treason will