The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-11

soSos = A0SUShOU - V oeWW
We thoaght tAtt ws had given the last chap
ter Of the Syracuse rsscue case, but it Seems
the U s. Marshall haA had himself to becons
fugitive. The following important notice Of ths
proceedings against him we take from one O
the Abolition prints;
| U. 5. MARSHAL AnREsTE FOR KIDNAPpInG.
The negro-catchers have cowed out aguin. A
short time since, they only wanted the court tc
SIT to release Marshal Allen from the indictment
for kidnapping. They had only to show their
papers, and hold up the fugitive slave bill Gas
they supposedly and the court would discharge
him, or the jury would discharge him. Bravely
they assigned the cause for trial last Friday in
the circuit which commenced its session in Sy-
racuse, Tuesday of last week. They made such
an arrangement with the prosecution ten days
before court, and Gerrit Smith came on Wednes.
day to take his seat with the counsel for tae
people, and argue the unconstitutouality of sla.
very in general, and the fugitive slave law in
particular. They begun bravely, but progress
like arrant towards.
1t was understood all over the country that
this case should come up last Friday. Many
people came in to hear Gerrit Smith talk to
Judges and Jurors and lawyers about slave law.
But they were disappointed The bravery of
the negro catchers all disappeared, and they are
only seeking to put off the evil day. "Put the
case OH" is the order of the day with them
Gerrit Smith went home on Saturday, and is to
be telegraphed ii the case comes on, Of which
there is no hope. And if he had stad there, or
if he would continue there, instead of coming
here to try this case, it would be tried, there is
no doubt of that
What is it that has scared the government
lawyers so? Why are they not willing to try
this case as they do other cases, and let it take
the ordinary course? What has brought on
this disastrous fright within one week? For
everybody knows, if this case is put over, it is
because J. x. Lawrence, &c; dare not meet it
they have got scared. The answer to these
questions is, they are beginning'to learn that the
fugitive slave law, and all slave laws are void
They will not be recognized as law by the courts
of this State. May bethey have read the argu-
ments of Gerrit Smith, Spooner, Goodel, &c.
They have got precious hint somehow, that
though Congress can make laws, it can't make
anything into law. 1t must be restricted to the
purposes OF laws the preservation of rights. and
may not DC allowed to destroy them. Gerrit
Smith has come out of his long dark ship and
appeared in court and they have just begun to
acquaint themselves with his arguments. They
have begun to inform themselves with the Lib
erty party doctrines. Thank God that party
has brought its creed to legal issue in court,
the very place of all others where we would
have them tested, argued, tried
Considering how Harry Allen, Lawrence,
&c, have staggered over the law in these
cases, it is amusing to see what hunkeys they
are when they approach the trial. The prosecu-
tor in this case is "the peope"-and it is indeed
the peoples suit Their counsels, c. b. Sedg
wick, Gerrit Smith, and the district attorney,
emphatically represent the people, in case in
volving the rights Of all the people. They
should be bold, and they are bold because they
are in the right. Lawrence and oilers are cow
ards, because they arc in the wrong, and repre-
sent the enemies of the people. Gerrit Smith
may well say to Lawrence, Gas he did when he
found Lawrence was contrving to get rid Of
his argument and put the case over) be
man, Lawrence, and don't be coward try
your case.'"
To conclude. 1t is we'll understood that the
case against the marshal, for attempting to kid
nap the slave Jerry, by means Of warrant is.
sued by Commissioner Sabine, is to be put over,
by hook or by crook. Lawrence is striving to
lead the prosecutor into demurrer, instead of
trying II in the ordinary way He wants to get
it away from the Jury if he can--if he can =
The prosecution urge a trial, the defense urges
"a put off" And be it remembered, whether
the case is submitted to court or Jury, it will
end in conviction. Not to punish Harry Allen,
but to settle the rights of the people by legal nd
Indication. He may be pardoned 80 soon as con.
victed, but he will be tau hit, and all others
will be taught, that to take our citizens and re-
turn them to slavery is legal Kidnapping and
thata repetition of the offence will subject him
to the full penalties of the law, though he be
pardoned in this case so soon as convicted.
1T.