Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-08-08

and its argument applies with peculiar force to those
sought through the writ of hG6e@s corpus This the
great remedial process by which liberty Is Vlndica-
ted and restored, tolerates language In the re-
Spouse which it calls for that can mask subtertuge
The dearest interests of lfe personal safety, domes-
tic peace social repose, all that man can value or
that is worth living for are involved in this principle
The institutions of society would lose more than
half their value, and courts of justice become lnpo
tent for protection if the writ of habeas corpus could
not compel the truth, full direct, and unequlVocai
| in answer to its mandate.
twill not do to say to the man whose wife or
whose daughter has been abducted - dld not 40
duct her; she is not in my possession; 40 not ue
tain her, inasmuch as the assault was uaoe ny inc
hand of nv subordinates and have torborne to ask
| where thew propose concentrating the wrong.
It is clear then, it seems to me, that in legal
acceptance the parties whom this writ called on MI
Williamson to produce were at one time within MS
mower and control; and his answer far as 1T re-
iates to his power them, makes no distinction
! between that time and the present. cannot give
different Interpretation to his language from that
which he has practically given himself, and cannot
regard him as denying his power over the prisoners
| now, when he does not aver that he has lost the
power which he formerly had
He has thus refused, at least he has failed, to
| answer to the command of the law. He has chosen
to decide for himself upon the lawfulness as well as
the moral propriety of his act and to withhold the
ascertainment and vndcation of the rights OF others
from that same forum of arbitrament on which all
| his rights repose. In a-word, he has put him
self in contempt of the process of this court, and
| challenges its action.
That action can have no alternative form. 1t is
one too clearly defined by ancient and honored pre-
cedent too indispensable to the administration of
social justice and the protection of human right and
too potentially invoked by the special exigency of
the case now before the court to doubt
of my duty apology for its Immediate perform
ance.
The cause was submitted to me by the learned
counsel for the respondent, without argument, and
have therefore found myself at some loss to under
stand the grounds on which, if there be any such,
they would claim the discharge of their client. One
only has occurred to me as perhaps within his view
and on this think it right to express my opinion.
will frankly reconsider it, however, if any future
aspect of the shall invite the review
1t is this that the persons named in this writ as
detained by the respondent were not legally slaves,
inasmuch they were within the territory of Penn
sylvana when they were abducted.
Waving the inquiry whether for the purposes of
this question they were within the territorial Jurls-
dicton Of Pennsylvania while passing from State
to another upon the navgable waters OF the United
States-a point on which my first impressions
adverse to the argument-I have 10 say
l. That know of no statute, either of the United
States, of Pennsylvania, or of New Jersey, the
only other State that has qualified jurisdiction over
this part of the Delaware that authorizes the forc
BILE abduction of any person or any thing whatso-
ever, without claim of property, unless in aid of le
gal process.
3. That know of statute of Pennsylvania
which affects to divest the rights Of property of
citizen OF North Carolina acquired and asserted IN
needful or convenient to pass through the territory
Of Pennsylvania.
g. That am not aware that any such statute if
such a shown, could be recognised as valid
in a court of the United States.
4. That it seems TO altogether unimportant
whether they slaves not. 1t would be the
mockery of philanthropy to assert that, because men
had become free, they might therefore be torcibly
abducted.
have said nothing of the motives by which The
respondent has been governed; have nothing to
do with them; they may give him support and COM
fort before infinitely higher tribunal; do not
impugn them here
Nor do aIude, on the other hand, to those special
claims upon hospitable courtesy which the di-
plomatic character of Mr.. Wheeler might seem to
assert for him. [ am doubtful whether the acts of
Congress give to him, and his retinre. and his prop
erty, that protection as representative oil the SOW
eregnty of the United States which they concede
all sovereigntes besides. Whether, under the gen
cral law f nations, he could not ask broader priv
ilege than some judicial precedents mig ht to
admit, is not necessarily involved in the cause be-
fore
1t is enough that find, as the case stands now,
the plain and simple grounds of adjudication that
Mr.. Williamson has not returned truthfuly and fully
to the writ of ha6eas corpus. He must, therefore,
stand committed for contempt of the legal process
CT the court.
AS to the second motion of the district attorney,
that which looks to committal for perjury, with
hold an expression Of opinion in regard to it. 1t is
unnecessary, because Mr.. Williamson being under
arrest he may be charged at any time by the grand
jury; and apprehend that there may be doubts
whether the affidavit should not be regarded as extra
judicial and voluntary.
Let Mr.. williamson the respondent, be commit
ted to the custody of the marshal without bail
mainprize, for contempt of the court in refusing
to to the writ of hd6eds corpus, heretofore
awarded against him at the relation of Mr.. Wheeler.
GEORGIA Know MORNING. NoMINAT1oNs.-In the Sd
District, the Know Nothings have conferred the
nomination for Congress on Mr.. Trippe, of Monroe,
Mr. Trippe, as is very well known to readers, is
old Wing He supported Mr.. Webster for the
Presidency. He supported Mr. Jenkins in the last
Gubernatorial campaign. He was the candidate
against the Democratic Party, in the last Congress
sional canvass. He was prominent Union man in
the divisions of 1850. These are his claims on the
support of the Democracy of the Sd District.
In the End District, the Know Nothngs have nom
mated Mr.. Willis Hawkins, of Sumter. Mr. Haw-
kins is an old Wing Mr.. Hawkins was a Union |
Wing. Mr. Hawkins a jenkins two years
ago. Like Mr.. Trippe, Mr.. Hawkins has been very |
consistent in his opposition to the Democratic party.
These his claims on the support of the Demo- !
Gratis in Georgia
In the 9TH District, the Know Nothings have |
nominated Mr.. N. g. Foster, of Morgan Mr.. Fos
ter is old Wing. Mr.. Foster Union Wing. |
Mr.. Foster, believe, a Webster Wing. Mr..
Foster Jenkins two years ago. Like !
Mr.. Trippe and Mr.. Hawkins, Mr. Foster has been |
very consistent in his opposition to the Democratic
party These his claims on the Democratic !
support.
In the 4th District, the Know Nothings have |
nominated Mr.. B. Hill, of Troup. Mr.. Hill is an
old Wing. Mr.. Hill was Union Wing. Mr.. Hill