Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-01-10

-
was adopted by a large majority. The trui-
hc can no longer be legalued by static
Ihe power to prevent evils arising from the
use Of ardent spirits, so far as il can be done
| by law, Is, nevertheless, conferred upon the
I General Assembly. What provision should
/ bc made, is matter for serious considera-
ton. Laws hitherto have not produced the
/ desired effect. They have been the origin
of many prosecutions, but they have not
| prevented the retailing of iptoxicniing drinks,
| though prohibited under severe peualties.-
/ Drunkenness and immorulites arising from
/ the use of ardent spirits may be punished
MS crimes, but it is doubtful whether any
legal enactment, will prevent their being
sold, By retail, while their importation is per-
mitted by the laws of the United Suites, and
their manufacture by our own.
Societies and individual phnuihropists
have spared no creditable action, to stay the
evils OF intemperance, for many years.
Their exeriions have done more good, by
n moral force which they have gwen to pub
lie opinion in social intercourse than oil the
laws that have, MS yet, been enacted. The
subject is submitted to your care
At the last session, the General Assembly
passed resolution instruciing the Executive
to enquire into The circumstances of the ab-
If satisfied of their freedom, to take such
measures MS he deemed expedcnt for their
release, and TO pay the expenses from his
contingent fund.
This was n colored family, consisting of
eight persons. On investigation II wae sat
isluctorly ascertained that higb.bHnded
outrage had been 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, aud
that the entire family, residing remotely from
assistance, was basely kidnapped, carried
into the State of Kentucky and Virginia and
sold into slavery, where they were not slaves,
but IN fact free persons. This family con-
sisted mostly of children.
immediately after the passage OF the reso-
luton, 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 ry-
er TO the lower country, in the hands of pur-
chasers, and for sale Without loss of time,
counsel was despatched to Louisville, to in
! tercept those in that direction, employ nssis-
tance, it necessary, and to institute legal
| proceedings 10 establish their freedom and
to secure their return.
They were speedily overtakcn and placed
in the custody of the law, but in different
counties in Kentucky. The question rs 10
one, Peyton Polly, has been tried, his free
dom established and he has been returned.
The other cases are still pending. Though
J prepared, OH our part, and trials urged at the
last terms of the Kentucky Courts, ms ! aln
advised, the defence caused them to he stop
| ped. am informed there is no reasonable
| apprehension entertained, of an unfavorube
result.
Counsel was likewise sent to Virginia to Sc
cure the four there, and to institute the proper
proceedings for their recovery. After difficult
tics which proved nearly insurmountblc, they
were hunted out in the mountains of Sandy, re-
mote from civilization, and suits commenced,
which are yet undecided. Assurances have been
given by counsel, likewise. of their favorable
termination. Copies of portions, OF all the coy
rcspondonco on this subject, as well rs the re-
ports of those sent to both Virginia and Ken
| tucky, will be transmitted to you, if desired.
Six individuals who were the authors OF
this outrage stand indicted for il in Lawrence
county. They were supposed to be lurking
in Kentucky, as ingiiiyes from justice. A
requistion, therefore, was made on the Gov
crnor ofthat Commonwealth, aud an agent
dispatched TO procure their arrest aud return
TO Lawrence county for trial.
The Governor ofKontucky promptly issued
his warrant, but on search being made it was
ccrtaincd the fugitivcs had fled to parts un-
known, but, probably west of the Missouri, and
beyond the reach of process at the present time.
An eye will be kept on their apprehension, at
some future period, by tho present Executive,
and ho will leave it as an inheritance TO his sue
ccssor, if not before taken, to spare no exertions
10 vindicatc our sovereignty by the punishment
Of this lGwlcss banditd Of pirates.
| taln orcot ,,loasuro in saving TINT frorn thn
information received, an honorable promptness
and zeal were manifested, not only by the au-
thorlties, but by tho respectable classes of ciu-
zens in both Virginia and Kentucky, for the sur
render oft the fugitives, and for fair and impair
tal trial Of the question of freedom or slavery Of
this family.
1t is supposed sometime must now intervene,
before these suits can be brought to Close
Should further important information be re-
ceivcd, before your adjournment, it will be com
muncatcd.
/ ought, also, in justice to add, that, notwith-
standing slavery is interwovcn with all their in
stitutions and civil relations south of the Ohio
river, is nevertheless, to be found noble, and
generous impulses in favor Of the colored race,
among large portion of the people, when the
right of freedom is honestly believed to exist.
Various other topics are briefly referred to,
among which arc the establishment of house
of Industry for Juvenile Offenders and of an in
sttution for Idiots. The agricultural interests,
The State Fair and the proper reception of Kos
suth. The Governor closes with the following
very sensible advice;
In setting the now Government in motion, it
will be vastly better to begin Alright, TO do but
little, and perform il well. than TO do much,
without proper care and mature dtliberation.
To you l look to supply any omissions and
defects of my own, in this communication, and
l cannot but express the hope that the same
Almighty power who has conferred such multi
tudes of blessings on our State and Nation, will
inspire this General Assembly with wisdom, in
the discharge of its various and important trusts,
that its action may tend to the permanent well
fare and happiness Of tho people of Ohio.
REUBEN WOOD.
G5@Mr. Clay is gradually sinking. lie is