New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-23
The Syracuse Treason-Close OF the Case
Judge Conkliug's Decision.

On Monday. Judge Conkling having ken
bis seat on the Bench, the prisoners, Ira II -
Moses Summers, Stephen Porter, James DAVIS, WIN
l.. Salmon. Harrison Allen, VIM. Thompson and
Prince Jackson. being present, read his declslon.
promising thus
The specific charge on which the prisoners have
scverally been arrested ant brought before me for
examination Is that of having unla fully aided The
escape of an alleged fugitive from labor, aher he had
been apprehendec. and while ne was yet m cus,odv
IN virtue of a warrant issued IN a proceeding for hs
restoration 10 the possession of the person, citizen
Of the State OF Missouri. 10 whom II tllege ms
labor was due
lis Homer then sand there Was no evidence u
tain charge of higher nature, there being proof
Of "a previous combination for the pursose OF" lew.
ipg war against the United States"
But quoting Sec. of The Act Of Sept. :, 1850.
which subjects any person aiding in the rescue ola
slave TO 81 900 fine and SIX months imprisonment,
he sand that the prisoners charged with aiding
and abeing and assisting slave 10 escape, and tia,
in this preliminary stsge, prma facia evidence wa,
sufficient to hold the prisoners TO bal, or commit
them. in the absence Of bail. to prison. The .vi.
dence clear, conclusive and Imperative AS 10 ali
the prisoners except Porter and, on cons deration,
his Honor concluded that as 10 him also the tesll-
mony was sufficient.
having W lilS VI tAe 'Nth'N a.
Syracuse he Land down some general principles, Of
mems obligation TO obey 4 law o; which tnen con
sciences do not approve. He said
II often happens that laws enacted contrary 10
the judgments. and sometimes 10 The moral sense Of
thousands OF our citizens and this mus! uniyolda-
by continue 10 be the case But NO sane mn
nagines that he i therefore aoSolNed from Tue oo
CATION 10 obey them still less that he mas right
fo-cibly 10 prevent others from dong >. II be
cannot submit Ia them consistently VIA 'he dictates
OF his conscience. he NAV seek residence m >'me
other country. II he can mad one wnere ne thinks ne
would suffer less from mlsTule but NJ long he
continues To be an Inhsbltaut of the United states,
he must suhmit ~ the laws or pay the peney ~ ne
disobedience When this ceases 70 oe true -waen
every man may tTansgreSs a law with lnognltS. be-
cause he dislikes II, our nSernmeut viii have be-
come a mockery. not worth preserving, Tor t wall
have ceased to afford protection either - The right
OF property or OF lie
Contrasting the fana,lcism that would resist the
law at all hazards with the equally unounded belief
that expected the ready compliance of every Judge
with a demand by master for his slave, no matter
what the circumstances or the proof, he said
Z" II may not he amIss to remind these we'll mean
ing people that the law IN the application OF It's
provisions is no reSpector OF persons. and thal
Judges bound 10 administer 1t as they ma H. IN
teligently, firmly, and impartially' me aay
trust is far distant hen the rights vonchsa'ed oy
law even TO fugitive slave. VIII DC less secure under
the guardianship Of American Judges than OF ms
master"
The Judge having concluded, bond in $4,000 for
the appearance of Ira II. Cobb prepared, and
sisned by Alfred Cobb aud William II. Seward.
bond in s2,oO0 each for the four other white
men was prepared and signed as follows william
H. Seward Lyman Ciary, Oliver L. Buri, Henry
Clifford r. w. Washburn, Georges Barnes, William
F. Abbott, Abner Bates, John Ames, Hiram Putnam
f. w Leavenworth, Charles b. Sedgwick, Samuel
Mead, Hiram Hoyt, Daniel McDougail, Charles 4.
Wheaton, r. A. Voc, Charles Leonard, Alsnson
Thorp
similar bond was executed for the three colorsd
men, In the sum of $500 each-GoverDeS Seward
signing all three Of the bonds. As he signed thesse
cond one he remarked to the friends about him, that
he did not suppose such act could be regarded as
recognition OF the moral obligation OF the Fugitive
Slave Law, and turning to the District Attorney,
lawfully inquired whether signing such bond
would come under the head OF constructive uea-
SON"
The Court adjourned SINE die.
This over Gov Seward invited the parties from
Syracuse to his house, which invitation cordial
ernor's mansion. and there enjoyed a half hour,
which passed in friendly chat, and introductions TO
the Honorable Senator-a man admired and beloved
because al his bold and nyielding advocacy Of Lib
eTty.