Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-03-19
Illinois Slave Law.

The Democratic Governor and Legis-
lanre of Illinois have perpetraied one of the
grossest legislative outroges that has ever
disgrnced any state or nation. We have
elsewhere referred to it, but it's pre.eminent /
infamy demands that we record it in full |
II is by such means that the Democracy Of
Illinois propose to raise "ehariiy fund" for |
the support of the poor. 1t is as directly in
conflict with the celebrated ordinance Of
1887, us il is in harmony with savOgeis u aud
the most fendish inhumunity. Tho service
of the man Is not to be sold, but the man
himself; and in case there is no competition,
tho man may be sold for life to cancel the
fifty dollars fine. Aud in case he is sold Tor
but three months, that will afford his pur-
chaser abundant time to cross the Ohio or
the Mississippi, from whence return would
he hopeless. 1t will be observed TINT this law
mnkes no provision against his removal into
slave state by the purchaser.
Virginia tried hard this winter, in her
House of Delegates, to ensluve her free col
ored people. Bat even there, there was too
much humanity for that. Illinois has
achieved the work, aud stands now prc-eni-
inent in infamy among the southern us well
os northern states OF this cnslaying nation.
IN .7et 10 preUtut he emigration Of free negroes
into this State.
Sec. |. BE- il enacted Ivy tho people Of the
state of Illinois, represented in the General
shall bring or cause TO I've brought Into this
etate, any negro or mulatto slave, whether
enid slave il SET free or not, shall be inble TO
nn indictment and upon conviction thereof,
he fined for every such negro or mulatio,
sum not less linn ono hundred dollars nor
more thun five hundred dollars and impris.
onment in the county Jail not more than one
wear, aud shall stand committed until said
fine and costs are paid.
See 9. When an indictment shall be found
against any person or persons, who nre not
residents OF this state, it shall be the duty of
the court before whom said indictment is
pending, upon affidavit being made aud filed
in said court by the Prosecuting Attorney, or
any other credible witness, setting forth tie
non-residcnce of said defendant, and show
ing the probable residence of said defendant,
TO notify the Governor of this state, 10y catis-
ing the Clerk of said court to transmit to the
Office of the Secretary Of State certified
copy Of said indictment and affidavit; aud it
shall be the duty of the Governor upon the
receipt Of said copies, TO appoint some suit
able person to arrest snid defendant or de-
Pendants, in whatever state or county he or
they mny be found, and to commit him or
them TO the jail Of tho county in which such
Indictment is pending-there to remain and
answer snid Indictment, and be otherwise
dealt with in accordance wtll.this act. And
il shnll be the duty of the Governor to issue
all the necessary requsitions, writs and pa
pers TO the Governor, or other executive of
ficcr of the state territory, or province,
where such defendant or defendants may be
found: Provided that this section shall not
he construed so MS 10 affect persons or slaves
bona .fde travelling through this state from
snd to any other state in the United States.
Sec. 3. II any negro or mularo, bond or
free shall come into this state, aud remain
ten days with the evident intention OF resi-
ding in the same, every such negro or mu-
lntto shall be deemed guilty of high mis-
demennor, aud for the first offence, shall be
fined the sum of fifty dollars, to he recovered
before any justice OF the peace, in the conn
~ where said negro or mulatto may he louhd;
said proceedings shall be in the name of the
people of the State OF Illinois, aud shall be
tried by Jury OF twelve men. The person
making the information, or complaint, shall
no, he competent witness upon said trial.
See. 4. II said negro or mulauo shall be
found guilty, and the fine assessed, he not
paid forthwith to the Justice Of the peace,
before whom said proceedings were lad, il
shall be the duty of said justice to commit
snid negro or mulntiO TO the custody of the
sheriff of said county, or otherwise keep
him, her or them, in custody: aud said JUS
tice shall forthwith advertise said negro or
muIatto, by posting up notices thereof, IN nt
least three Of tho most public places in his
district, which said notices shall be posed
up for ten days, and on the day, aud at the
time and place mentioned in said advertise
ment, the said justice shall ut public auction
proceed TO sell said negro or mulatio, TO any
person or persons who will pay said fine aud
costs for the shortest time; and oaid pur-
cInscr shall have the right TO compel said
negro or mulatto TO work for, aud serve ont
suid time, aud he shall furnish said negro or
,nuatio with comfortable food, clOIliing and
lodging, during said scr'iIude.
Sec. 5. II said negro or muIato shall not
within ten days after the expiration Of Iiis,
her, or their term of service, ns aforesaid,
leave The state, he, she, or they shall he liable
TO n Eecond prosccuuol, w winch we Pchh''y
90 be inflicted shall he one hundred dollars,
aud SO on for every subsequent offence, the
penalty shall he increased fifty dollars over
mud above the last penalty inflicted, aud the
same proceedings shall be had in each case
ms is provided for in the preceding sections
for the first offence.
See. G. Said negro or mulatio shall hive q
right TO take an appeal to the circuit court
of the county IN which said proceedings
shall have been had, wi,hin five days after
the rendition of the judgment, before the
Justice Of the peace, by giving bond and Sc
curty, 10 be approved by the clerk Of sale
court to the people of the state of Illinois
anJ IN be GIed in the office of said cerl