The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-03
rext-We extract from the Nor.olk Va Snulh-

We extract from the Norfolk, Va, Souih-
ern Argus the following article. The facts sci
forth are well worthy of serious reflection:
PuSIc FArrH-There is a certain easy Of.
faith class of politicians ia our country, who, on
all occasions without rhyme or reason, ae pra-
ting of "Peace" and "Union," and who put them
selves to infinite pains to convince the public
mind that the miserable compromise of shreds
and patches" will be observed in good faith by
the people in the free States. "A temporary
truce at present prevails in Congress, and from
motives of policy, Seward and Co. desist from
the agitation Of abolition. This is held up with
great jubilation, as sign that the Treaty OF
Peace is to be perpetuated, and that, hereafter
everything is to be sunshine and good fellow
ship. All the extra patriotic professions OF
Webster and Others, are paraded in the news
papers for the purpose of showing the beauties
and practical operations Of the glorious adjust
ment, They attempt to delude the people by
presenting them with but one side of the pic
sure, and studiously keep them in ignorance of
the number of instances where the North disre-
CARDS its obligations, and the only portion of the
compromise (the fugitive slave law which was
to operate for the benefit of the South, con-
demned and trampled under foot.
! We find in the columns of the Nashville "a
pers, a letter from gentleman in East Tennes.
see, giving an account of his unsuccessful at
tempt to recover fugitive slaves under the new
law. 1t shows how faithfully the officers under
the United States Government discharge their
duties, and how utterly hopeless it is to expect
that the people in the non-slaveholding States
will suffer this law to be executed. Whatcoursc
will Mr. Fillmore now pursue towards the Off
cials of Michigan Will he refer their case, like
the one from Boston, to Attorney General Crit
tenden, and be content with mamby -pamby
opinion from him in justification of their con
duct! We give the letter below
NASHVILLE, Dec. Id, 1851.
| Messrs Editors Several years ago it was
the bad luck of my father, John p Chester to
lose some negroes by their flight to the free
States; by the mercst accident he ascertained
then that they were in Washington, near Rasin
Post Office. Some years ago, he, in connection
with myself and another man, attempted an ar
rest by force, but being overpowered and out
done, the slaves were recaptured and again set
at liberty A short time afterwards, received
letter from one Mrs. Rowland, an arrant abo-
litonsls ofthe Abby Folsom school, which con-
tanned the following extract
"RAsIN, Dec. 81, 1916.
| Dear Sir Yours of the Sd inst received
| yesterday, in company with one from Ross Will
| kins, United States Judge, who resides in De-
| troit, both on the same subject but of entirely
different import"
SO you see that this pink of kindness, this
gem of humanity, and this theoretical and prac-
teal Abolitionist and amalgamator, was in the
habit of receiving letters of the creed and tenor
from Ross Wilkins, United States Judge
A few days days after the passage of the Fu-
gitive slave bill, started in pursuit of the same
slaves; by great exertion and expense found
them in Washtenaw county, Michigan, ten miles
from Ypsilante and 40 miles west Of Detroit
saw them, friend who was with me saw them,
and fifty other circumstances corroborated the
fact that they were there. fastened to Detroit
to get my warrant-apped to one Mr.. Watson,
commissioner declined issuing the writ on
account of private engagements in an adjoining
county or town, stating to me that il he issued
it that he would lose thereby, pecuniarily, and
in character, or in other words, that he lived in
free State-that public sentiment was against
the law-that it would injuro him. He is a
lawyer. He with a gentleman by the name of
George c. Bates, United States District Attor-
ney, advised me to apply to the United States
Judge; and in fact they urged it in such a way
that saw no other course. | finally resolved
to do 80.
went to lawyer by the name Of Douglass
to employ him to assist me in making out the
case. That gentleman had, as he informed me-
political aspirations, and any connection with it
would injure him. asked others, and all were
afraid of public sentiment, and declined then
had to rely upon my own capacity, and execute
an affidavit myself. did so-presented it, as |
was urged to the United States Judge. After
considerable parley he issued my writ in the pre-
sence ofthe clerk and deputy marshal. handed
it instantly to that worthy, who peremptorily
declined serving it, His honor told me to hunt
up the principal marshal. ! did so-demanded
immediate service He declined it--said night
exposure would kill him-had no posse-dan-
gerous without one--that the free negroes and
fugitive slaves would kill us-advsed me to 90
to Ypsilante by the morning train, and he and
his posse wou'd come by the evening one did
as was advised-got to my destination by nine
o'clock, A. NJ. At two, p. NJ, n telegraph dis
patch came to abolitionists and negroes that
was at Ypsilantc alters number ofnegrocs. They
being well organized, sent runners in every d.
recton; run the slaves to Canada, by the way
of Gibraltar, before the marshal could get there
by the cars, or any other conveyance-he having
to leave Detroit at o'clock, P. NJ.
Thus you will SEQ the fallibilty Of the miss
called compromise /; the humbuggery of the Flu
gtive slave bill the duplicity of the North the
rascaity of the officials whose duty it is to exc
cute, in good faith, this law.
The man, or rather the villain, from whom
got my warrant, was Ross Wilkins, U. S. Judge,
who correspondent with this practical amalagma-
ZIONIST, Mrs. Rowland, she being the instrument
who prevented us in 1916 from capturing them,
and who harbored them for years before that
time, and within short time of this No man
knew where they were save Ross Wilkins and
the marshal, nor did any one know my name
except them, for was known by an assumed
one
As Southern man, know my duty. know
the feelings of the people North. know that
thpv will fhic l,tu 10 ha il,la.