The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-01-16

CVli8 afi1uB ltRui tNu VIC ~ uld0llt Spirits, oU
Tar as it can be done by law, is, nevertheless,
eonfftsd upon the General Assembly. What
provision should be made, is matter for seri-
produced the desired effect They have been
he oriein.of many prosecutions, but they have
not prevented the retailing Of intoxicating
drinks, though prohibited under severe penal
ties. Drunkenness and immoralities arising
from the use Of ardent spirits may be punished
as crimes, but It's doubtful, whether any legal
enactnent will prevent theirbeing sOldeby rel
tail, while their importation Is permitted by the
laws Of the United States, and their manufac-
tuTe by0ur own. l9H SsCia lssigl = oega2gegl
Societies and individual philauthropists baye
spared no crediiable action, to stay the evils OF
intempefance, for many years. ~ 'Yet
Their exertions have done more good, by a
moral force which they have gwen to, public
opinion, in social intercourse, than all the laws
that have, as yet, been enacted. The subject,
is submitted to your care. I.
Our Penitentiary system is one Of great inter-
est to the people Of this State. Certainty, rath-
er than severity Of punishment, is believed to
afford the best security to the virtuous, against
the lawless aggreSslons Of the vicious and licen-
tious. The administration Of the internal con
Germs Of this institution has been judicious and
salutafys The several Wardens who have had
tin charge, have endeavored to carry into exc
cution the great objects Of the law, by moral
suasion, rather than by oyer-severe and urne-
cessay discipline. Many have left the institu-
tion, tits believed, with the most determined
resolution to forsake the paths of vice, and be-
come honest and useful members of society. The
report Of the W Watden will exhibit the number
confined lnthe Penitentiafy, the last current
year, ending on the 30th day Of November last,
those who have been discharged by the expira-
tion Of their sentence, by pardon, or writs Of
error. have not hesitated, when believed
the objects efthe law to have beenaccomplish-
ed, tointerfere. No one thus discharged has
yetreturned, and a great majority, and may
say almost the. entire number, have much con-
fdence will eschew the way of the transgres-
sor, which, by experience, they know to be
hard. g,y .gf,tfs fssa e(9 tstte,
The Report Of the Warden will exhibit all
the substantial operations OF the Institution, its
expenses and its receipts, The opinion is en-
tertained that more of its inmates can be prof.
tably employed on the State Capitol another
year. 1t will, probably, be found, by far, the
most beneficial investment of Penitentiary la.
Dor.
Before closing this subject, permit me to cal
your particular attention to the juvenile often
ders confined in this institution. 1t is, repug
nant to every feeling Of humanity, that youth o
tender years, not always predisposed 10 crime
butalmost forcedby the heartless neglect o
those who have them in charge, or seduced b,
others, to commit it; should be confined in the
Penitentiary for any purpose Of reform, with ole
and hardened offenders. Such system re.
qnires only to be mentioned To- be condemned
byal who have the interest and welfare of the
rising generation at heart
Houses Of correction, and houses Of Industry,
under the control Of firm but mild and humane
officers, are believed to be infinitely better cal
cplated to carry out any object the laws Of civ
ilized communities can have in yiew-the re.
formation Of juvenile delnquents. Such insti-
tptiOns have been tried in Massachusetts, New
York. Pennsylvania and other places with the
best results. There is one in the city of Gin.
cinnati, under city authority, which is spoken
of in terms of the highest commendation. By
an economical employment of those confined in
such institutions, and with no unreasonable ap-
plication, they cannot be expensive to the State
II is respectfully submitted, whether measures
should be taken for the erection Of one or more
Institutions Of this character. for this unfortu.
nate class Of our youth, Of either one or the
other sexes.
At the last session, the General Assembly pas.
sed resolution instructing the Executive tc
enquire into the circumstances of the abduc-
tlon Of the family Of Peyton Polly, and If salts.
ned OF their freedom, to take such mt asures
as he deemed expedient for their release, and to
pay the expenses from his contingent fund.
This was colored family, consisting of eight
persons. On investigation it was satisfactorily
ascertained thata high-handed outrage hadbeen
committed on the soil, and against the dignity
and sovereignty Of the State of Ohio, on the
night of the 9Th of June, 1850, in the county Of
Lawrence, and that the entire family, residing
remotely from assistance, was basey kidnapped,
carried into the States OF Kentucky and Virgil
MIA, and sold into slavery, where they were not
slaves, but in fact free persons. This family
consisted mostly of children.
Immediately after the passage of the resolu-
ton, information was received that four of this
family were sold in the mountains of Virginia,
in the county of Wayne, and that four Others
were on their way down the river to the lower
country, in the hands Of purchasers, and for
sale. Without loss Of time, counsel was dis
patched to Louisville, to intercept those in that
direction, employ assistance, if necessary, and
to institute legal proceedings to establish their
freedom and to secure their return.
They werespeediy oyertaken and placed in
the custody Of the law, but in different coun-
ties in Kentucky. The question as to one Pey.
ton Polly, has been tried, his freedom estab.
4iShed, and he has been returned
The other cases are still pending. Though
prepared, on our part and trials urged, ut the
last terms Of the Kentucky courts, as | am ad-
sised, the defence caused them to be postponed.
lam informed there isno reasonable apprehen-
SION entertained, Of an unfavorable result.
Counsel was likewise sent 10 Virginia to
Secure the four there, and to institute the
proper proceedings for their recovery. AZ
ter difficulties which proved nearly insur-
mountable, they were hunted out in the
mountains Of Sandy, remote from ciyiliza-
ton, and suits commenced, which are vel
undecided. Assurances have also been civ.
EN- by counsel, likewise, of their favorable
termination. Copies Of portions Of all the
correspondence on this subject, as we'll as
the reports Of those sent to both Virginia
and Kentucky, will be transmitted to YOU,
If desired. p .a
Six'indiyidudls who were the authors Of
sthis Outrage stand indicted for il in Law
yrepce county. They were supposed to be
lurking in Kentucky, ss fugi,ives from JUS
'tice. A Iequis!tion was, therefore, made,
ON the Governor Of that Commonwealth,
and an agent dispatched TO procure their ar
y 81. g'zsa ~ ii'ef fIFl s'7at' ~ 70 ; is"'
The Governor Of Kentucky promptly is
sued his warrant, but on search being made