Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-12-23
STATE RIGHTS.

In these days Of Capitalization, when the ma
government as the agent of slavery, has
overshadowcd and swallowed up all state authority
and law, It is highly refreshing to witness any in
of self respect among the officials OF the
northern states. Such n manifestation has presen-
ted itself in the late decision of Chief Justice
Lewis, of Pennsylvania, ovcrruling the decision
of Judge Grior of tho United States Circuit Court,
in the Bill Thomas case.
The United States Deputy Marshals Wyncoopand
Crossin, were arrested and held by a writ from the
State Courts, for their assault upon Thomas
j Judge Griers's decision commanded the Sheriff Of
Philadelphia, who held them in custody, to release
them, which he did. More recently, the Sheriff
was arrOigned before the Supreme Court of Penn
sylyania to answer fora contempt of theStateCourt,
in obeying that order, and releasing the United
States kidnappers from custody.
Judge Lewis after a long and able argument,
comes to the conclusion that there was no occasion
whatever for tho T.. s. circuit court 'to resort to
the i~ndignity of obstructing State process, and
conforming State authority, in the manner attempt
ed in this case. 1t is impossible to believe that
the representatives of free States ever intended to
authorize any such unnecessary infringement of
the reserved rights of the State and people. Nei-
Their the words of the section relied on nor the gen.
eral provisions of the act, nor the occasion which
called it into existence, nor tho general rules of the
common law by which it might be expounde1,
nor any usage under it, nor any other circumstan-
.ces of r%ropriety or necessity indicate any such in
tention. We are, therefore, of opinion, that the
Circuit Court of the United states had no juris-
diction whatever over the parties in this cause, and
had no authority to interfere with the execution of
the process of this Court. When a Court of limit
ed jurisdiction, instituted by a government of emu
merated powers, transcends its authority, its order
is no justification to the officer who obeys it. In
this case, the Sheriff ought not have obeyod the
order for the discharge of the prisoners"
That is a pretty decided condemnation for a
State Judge to make against a Federal Judge, in
a case involving the slavery question, where it is
expected that all judges and legislators shall sue
cumb without a murmur. Judge Grier acted in a
~dcspotic manner, without the sanction of law,
and Judge Lewis's decision very plainly tells him
so.
Judge Lewis refused to grant an order for the
punishment of the Sheriff for contempt of Court,
because his act was rather the result of ignorance
tn an intentional wrong, but held the defendants,
1.-THE United States Deputy Marshals,) as discharg-
ed on common bail, and gave the plaintiff permits
sion to proceed with his suit against them, with
the assurance that should he recover, the Court
would enforce the execution of the Judgment.
Judge Lewis, in the course of his opinion, pre-.
sents the consequences of Il tame submission to the
assumption Of the Federal Court in a very forcible
manner, as the following paragraph will show
He makes it manifest that any single Federal
Judge may, on Judge Grier's principles, avoid and
disregard all the safeguards which either the
United States or the individual States have thrown
around the individual. He may examine the mer.
its of a case in the State Courts, disregard the YER
dict and the judgement, and without the right Of
trial by jury Or appeal, discharge the defendant
not only from custody before trial, ms in this case
but from imprisonment under an execution.
He says, eff this may be done, what becomes o.
the i%nestimable right OF trial by jury? or what
availis the solemn guaranty of that right contain
ed in the State Constitution? Of what force il
even the express provision in its favor, as set fortl
in the Constitution Of the United States? OF wha
value is the process, or even the most solemn
judgment of any State Court in the Union? Ar,
all the independent States ofthis great confederac,
to be troddcn in the dust at the foot of a singl
subordinate judge"
We can but repeat, that this decision of Chic
Justice Lewis is highly honorable to him, and vii
be heartily refreshing to all who are not the sell
degraded %eiyiles of the slave oligarchy.
The FAIE.-The Western Anti-Slayery Fai
commences its sales to-day friday, in the Tow;
Hall, in Salem. The ladies offer a rich assortmen
of fancy and useful articles. Call, examine an
F purchase such as your needs require. Thus, Will
you minister to your own wants, you will effective
ly aid the cause of freedom and justice. Tn
Fair has been gotten up by much labor on the par
of a few women. Give them your liberal counte
nance and cooperation in this common and hol
cause.