Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-10-26
EXECUTION OF THE u. S. LAWS.

1t is an affair Of frequent occurrence that Uni
ted States officers are hindered in the execution
of the process by the Intervention of State
courts and county magistrates. Only recently,
the U. s. Marshal of Michigan had an offender
taken from his custody by force of writ of ha-
beas corpus issued by Il magistrate of Chicago.
The party was tjmber-steaer, who had been
arrested under an indictment against him found
by grand jury of the U. s. District Court of
this State He was discharged, of course, as is
usual in such cases. But it is with more fre.
quency that these State distractions are inter-
posed in fugitive slave cases. The fugitive slave
act is statute of the country, declared by COM
petent authority to be in accordance with the re-
quirements Of the constitution. But in almost
every instance where an arrest under the law
has been made, a conflict has occurred between
National and State authority. Such an instance
has just taken place in Pennsylvania. fugi-
tive slave had been secured by the Marshal,
when an abolition magistrate, on application of
notorious abolitionist named Gildersleeve, is
sued a warrant for the arrest of the Marshal and
his deputies for an alleged assault and battery
upon the negro. The affair being brought TO
the notice of Judge Grier, of the United States
Supreme Court, he promptly expressed his de-
termination to protect the officers of the Gov
eminent in the execution of their duty, adding
the following remarks:
"lf this man Gildersleeve fails to make out
the facts set forth in the warrant Of arrest, will
request the prosecuting attorney Of Lucerne
county to prosecute him for perjury. know
that the United States have limited authority !;
but where they have it, it is clear, undoubted, and
conclusive, that theirs is a sovereign authority.
If any two penny magistrate, or any unprincipled
interlolper can come in and cause to be arrested
the officers of the United States whenever they
please it is a sad state of affairs. After the man
against whom the United States warrant was is
sued has run away, some fellow intervenes and
runs to State Judge for his interference, and
has the United States officers arrested. There
was case recently of this kind, and to that
now allude. If habeas corpuses are to be taken
out after that manner, will have an indictment
sent to the United States Grand Jury, against
the person who applies for the writ. or assists in
getting it, the lawyer who defends it, and the
sheriff who serves the writ, to see whether the
United States officers are to be arrested and har-
assed whenever they attempt to serve process
Of the United States. speak of what is daily
done to thwart the United States in the exercise
of her lawful authority"
1t is time the United States authority had as
serted its right to exclusive jurisdiction in these
slave cases. If an officer in any wise violates
State law, of course he should be amenable
therefor. But the harassing interference of ab-
olitonists has become serious detriment, and
it is refreshing to see that Judge Grier, at least
will not longer permit it in his jurisdiction.
bet. Free Press.