The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-23

The PsHnsyiuantan Of the 18th contains an edi.
torial article intended TO justify the recent murder.
at Columbia, Of an alleged fugitive slave IL appears
to think thse it is most outrageous to object 10 the
ruiany conduct Of the officer and asserts that if he
had not killed the negro, the negro would have killed
him. This is not the fact; and il ii had from
any other source than the PennsyiUaRiAA, We would
have pronounced IL a brszen, barefaced falsehood.
The negro was not possessed Of any arms those
God Almighty gave him he committed assault
upon the rufhan who murdered him, and whose hend-
ish heart prompted him to take his life rather than
secure his person On the examination there not
the slightest particle of testimony 70 prove that the
murdered man had any means within bis reach,
which he might to endanger the life Of his captor
We have no doubt but he struggled to escape from
the thraldom which awaited him, If he would quietly
submits but there is no evidence that he attempted
any dangerous violence even the biting of tho
derers fngor is not corroboratcd by any testimony,
and 1t is on the plea that his finger was in the mouth
Of the alleged slave, that the ruan attempts TO jus
tfy the murder that he has committed.
1t is well known TO readers, that as journalists
and law-abdng citizens, We sustain the Fugitive
Slave Law and as long as il remains law, we are
opposed any effort thwart tho enforcement of it,
provisions 1t adopted with desire to settle the
eternal pickering that has been carried for many
years between the North and the South the Slave
question, and hoped sufficient concessions had
been made to satisfy all the slave dealers in the
Union. But had idea that it granted the priv
lcge to slave hunters to enter our territory and
NIT murder without pfoNocation as has been recent
i ly done at Columbia We freely admit them oil the
rights guaranteed them by the law but they must
enjoy the privilege as the law provides to aid them
! in retaining their human chattels. Revolvers and
/ Bowie knives are not tho leading principles Of the
law, it is understood in Pennsylvania. We are
free and pesceable community we never fight with
out great provocation, and only be forced into
difficulty, when it cannot be avoided without sacr
fee Of honor, Therefore II would be well for slave
hunters TO observe tho law according TO its letter
spirit and be sure they not liable to the charge
of murder when they shoot down an unohendine
human being.
We are nOwise the enemy Of the slave grower; We
say so frankly and we say frankly that we regard
this portion of his business with adherence. 1t il
! foul and unnatural; but custom has MADE it loyal
and we bow to it with complying concession TO the
| laws, but not deferepce TO the principle.
We would advise the owners Of slaves hereafter, Il
| keep their negroes at home We do not want, MOI
have any desire to have, fair State made tn,
battle field for slave breeders, slave hunters, anC
slaves, to spill each others blood upon. Our peace
| full and honest Commonwealth cannot defend, anC
will not endure such daring outrages have recent
| y been committed within its boundaries by blood
hounds on the scent for human prey. ."
Ptts9Rygk lsnity Post, htay IA. 1882