Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-10-08
CINCINNATI KIDNAPPERs.

CINCINNATI KIDNAPPERS.
Hardin and Doom who attempted, unsucccss-
fully, some two weeks since to kidnap colorcd
man, by the name of Watkins, have been tried for
kidnapping and released. 1t was clear enough that
they had attempted the abduction, but the judge
decided that it was not clear that Watkins was
freeman, and this the kidnappry statute explicitly
required and ON this ground thay were discharged
Immediately warrant was issued for their ar
rest under the following section of the same act.
That no person or persons shall in any manner
attempt TO carry out of this STATE or knowingly aid
in carrying out of this State any black or mulatto
person. without first taking such black or muatto
person before some judge or justice Of the peace
in the county whore such black or muatto person
was taken aud there, agreeaby to the laws Of the
United States, establish by proof his or their pro-
perty in such black or mulatto person."
This section however it was alleged. had been
previously decided Ia be unconstitutional by Judges
Blackford and Wood of the Supreme Courtof Ohio.
Judge Spoonor said he should not attempt to over
rule decision of the Supreme Court, and would
therefore discharge the defendants on these war
rants.
No body doubts but that it was the intention of
these men to kidnop Watkins. There was no proof
that he was now or ever had been slave. Ills
claimant never made his appearance. Judge
Spooner ccnsurcd the conduct Of the defendants,
but he found in his mind douJt Of the legal free
dom Of Watkins, and he was bound to give the de-
PENDANTS, the benefit of that doubt.
Thus there would seem to be OF every hand all
possible facilities afforded for kidnapping in Gin
cinnat, aud all possible assurance of impunity to
the mcrccnary wretches who choose to embark in
the business. First Judge M'Lcan condesccnds
to play commissioner and sanctics the fugitive law
by his argument, decision and high position. lie
brings the L. s. Government to the work Of kid
mapping. 1t is is business. Next comes Judge
Finn and declares Ohio u slave state Our judges
a sort Of undcrstrapper Commissioners and our
police officers ackeys for the slave holders. En-
cournged by this decision, Bloom police officer Of
the city, commenced the Kidnapping business
Fortunately his victim was rescued by the
colored people and now unfortunately Bloom
and his associate is rescued from the pcntentiary
by Judge Spooncr. And thus impunityis declared
to manstealng in Cincinnati by Courts of all sorts
and judges of all grades As might be expected,
we learn that attempts to kindnap have of late
wonderfully increased in the city. Why should
they not increase with such eminent facilities.
The following from Cincinnati paper is to this
point.
"Sincc the fugitive McQuary was taken back
into slavery by the order of Judge Mclean, slave
hunters have become more bold and several attempts
ut kidnapping have been made in the citv Thus
far they have been defeated, those who were
apprehendcd having been able to clearly establish
their freedom, and some Of the kidnappcrs have
been lodged in JAIL and are likely to find a few
years Of rest from their abors in the cells Of the
penitentiary. On the part Of the claimants, there
has been no want Of disposition to swear TO enough
to consgn the free-born to hopeless bondage nor
should we wonder at this false swearing for the
temptation is great, and it would be very difficult to
show that it requires dcpravty to take false
OATH than to rob human being Of his liberty-the
dearest treasure he can possess and natural right
bestowed by God himself Thus to swear we think
awful; thus to rob, we aid by fugitive laws admin
istered by Christian judges"
Why is il that the section from the kidnapping
act we quote above is unconstitutional? We have
and don't know any thing of the ground they may
have taken. We have always thought that the
Constitution of Ohio provided that man should
not be deprived of liberty except by due process
of law" But this fraction Of our Constitution we
suppose like the section of the anti-kiduappng act
goes for nothing, since the Federal Court has de-
cided that slave claimant may catch hold, and
remove his victim, without warrant or any judicial
authority providing he can do it without disturbing
the peace. Perhaps it was this decision which set
aside the Constitution of Ohio and the above sec
ton of the act, under which Bloom was arrested
But whatever the pretence by which it has been
done, Ohio is but of the conquered provinces of
the sloycholding oligarchy. That power works her
will and pleasure among u.s. supprcssing our Con-
stitution, brbng judicial officers, and corrupt
ing and decciving our people. We are slavehold-
ing and slavery-ridden State. When shall there
be found among us manhood enough to assert our
independence!
We sincerely hope the Maine Law will do all
that is promised for il in these eectioneering times
In which case perhaps our legislators will be less
muddy-headed and less seryilc-hearted, and make
some provision by which citizens of Ohio may be
protected from kidnappors. They have about as
much protection the native citizens of Guinea
or Congo.