Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-06-19

was no rule of discipline forbddng me to speak,
even on the assumption that was not mem
bcr and also that there was no rule comforting
upon the Elders any authority to forbid my
speaking. They admitted, moreover, that they
had never known another instance of a stranger
being thus stopped from speaking by threat
of removal from the house. They made mcr-
it of tcstifying that my dcmeanor was cour-
tcous and gcntlcmanly and that made use of
no exciting or improper language. They said
there was nothing either in my manner or my
words calculated in tho least degree to disturb
the solomnity of the meeting
The testimony for the prosecution being
closed, was called upon for my defense.
stated to the magistrate that had been sud-
dcnly arrested, in a community to which was
a stranger. upon charge affecting my rcputa
ton as pcaccablc and orderly citizen; that
until had heard the evidence in supper. Of the
charge l was not able to see what would be
requisite for my defense, md thpt now per-
ccivol it to be necessary to call several witness
scs who were not and could not be present on
that day. therefore asked for apostponcmcnt.
To this reasonable request, William Darlington,
in hcartloss and ungcntlcmauly manner, OBJ
| jccicd, saying, among other things, that l was
an "iuterlopcr," and that man who went
about disturbing religious meetings was bound
to be always ready to produce his Witnesses
lie therefore urged the magistrate to 80 on
with the case at once. demonstrated against
this unjust, and appealed both 20 the mags-
tratc and to William Darlington to allow me a
fair opportunity TO make my defense. Ircmin-
dod them that postponcment could not inju-
rously affect tho prosccution,i fit should be pro-
we'd that their complaint was we'll founded, while
to me il was a matter OF importance. William
Darlington, notwithstanding his unmanly allu-
sion to inc as an "intcrloper," said that he would
only ask the magistrate to impose upon me a
fine of So, tho smallest sum which the law al
lowed but he was in great hurry to have the
matter decided, evidently npqrchouding that If
l should be allowed further time for my defense
his chance for mulcting me even in that small
amount would be rather slim.
took my scat to await the decision Of the
magistrate upon the motion for postponcmcnt,
VI IL NllAt llbAlbH Nluuil NC
decided against nc, to enter upon my defense
There was at least six or eight witnesses that l
intended to examine, after which should have
claimed the right to address tho magistrate and
to show that had not been guilty, in any le-
-ghimato sense of thc word, OF any disturbance
of the meeting, but had acted in harmony with
the discipline and the usage Of the Society. No
sooner, however, had closed my appeal to tho
magistrate upon tho preliminary motion, than
he said 81 presume some Of the parties
cused will be proven guilty l will therefore
fine you S;j and costs" This before l had
called single witness, or uttered ono word Of
my defense! confess was astoun dod, and it
certainly was no wonder that a murmur of in
dignation ran through the room. noticed that
the magistrate, during the examination Of the
witnesses, instead of giving his attention to the
matter be fore him, had his eye fixed intcnty
upon the pages of an almanac that lay upon his
desk. lie doubtless thought it small matter
to deprive a stranger, and an abolitionist of his
rights, especially as that seemed the quickest
way to get rid o. the subject. lie was like the
Dutch Judge, of whom it is related that he new
or heard but one Of the parties to suit, be-
cause, as he affirmed, it always bothered and
confused him to listen to both sides
When l expressed my establishment at his
conduct, and denounced it as unprecedented and
tyrannioul, Justice Fleming gracously said he
would suspend judgment until had made my
defense; but after reflection and consultation
with two or three of my friends, l declined an
offer which l could regard in no other light than
as q mockory and insult. told him plainly that
had n defense which did not doubt would be
entirely satisfactory to an impdrtia! magistrate,
but that it did not consist with my sense of
sclf-respcct to offer i. to one who had already
pronounced judgment, therefore, cSoiicred lin
the money to discharge the fine and costs. The
witnesses for the prosecution, as ii ashamed of
themselves declined taking the customary fee,
and William Darlington made some patronizing
remarks, the benefit Of which declined, infor-
ming him that did not ask his pity or sympa-
thy.
Thus the matter ended, so far as was con-
ccrncd. The $500 that paid was taken from
mypockct by a process great deal mcancr than
stealing but if the prosecutors and magistrate
are satisfied with their share of the transaction,
I certainly shall not grumblo at mino, 1t was
worth all it cost thus to developo the spirit OF
violence which exists in some of those who as
sumo to be leaders in tho Society of Friends
This disclosure will do great deal of good, by
opening The eyes of many to the true state OF
the Society.
ought to st0to what the reader will perhaps
have already inferred, that the plan for my ex-
pulsou and arrest was deliberately settled before