Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-24
HON. }. IL. WHEELER AND HIS All
DUCTED SLAVES


Some days since, we published the mere fact of
the abduction, in open day, at Philadelphia Of
three slaves Of Mr.. Wheeler. To-day we lay
before our readers from the Baltimore San,
somewhat detailed account of the proceedings
before the United States court in Philadelphia.
We beg readers North and South to read
carefully and refiectingly the account Of this
monstrous outrage. We think il worthy of our
editorial notice, because there are features in this
transaction that should really attract the atten-
ton of all sound constitutional and honest men
of our country.
Mr.. Wheeler, the American minister to Mica
ragua, in obedience TO the instructions of his Gov
eminent, was returning to his official duties to the
country to which he had been accredited. Com
ing from Southern and slave State, and desiring
to take his family with him, he, naturally enough,
thought it no reasonable offence to take his
own slaves with him for their, and his own, COM
fort and convenience. 1t will be SEEM however,
that this legitimate purpose was SUCCESSFULLY
interferred with by Mr.. Passmore Williamson,
one of those incarnate fends who believe in
neither God nor the devil, and whom we make
bold to predict will be neglected by the first, and
taken into the especial keeping Of the last. Look
at the facts.
g man named Passmore williamson" says
Mr.. Wheeler, under OATH g came up TO me, and
asked if he might speak to my servants MIR.
Wheeler replied, g that he could not imagine
what business he could have with his servants,
and that if he had anything to say, he (Mr.
Wheeler) was the proper person to say it to-"
Williamson pushed past Mr.. Wheeler, and asked
the woman (Jane) if she was slave, and if she
knew she was in free country. Mr.. Wheeler
interfered, when two colored rufians seized him.
and THREATENED "TO CUT HIS THROAT
IF HE MADE ANY RESISTANCEn'
WE'LL the negroes were dragged unwillngly
from their master, and carried, God knows where,
the little boys protesting their reluctance to 90
with the mob, by shrieks of murder
We scarcely willing to trust ourselves to
free comment upon this outrage upon the rights
of citizen of the United States. We waive, as
unnecessary 10 object, the fact that Mr..
Wheeler was an accredited representative of our
country abroad. 1t is enough that he is citizen
of one of the States of this Union; and even if
lie were the humblest in position and property,
he yet entitled TO the rights Of property and
person wherever his duty or inclination carried
him.
Both in his case, were violated. His slaves,
his property under the Constitution and laws of
his own State and the United States, guaranteed by
both, and without which guarantee the Union nerer
iro,tld hare been formed, were-not stolen-but in
the broad day seized from his control and posses
son To effect this seizure, two negroes held
the master, who was only TOO mildly, remon-
strating at this violence upon his rights. Thus,
we say, his property and person were alike viola
ted. Well! where is the redress None, prac-
ticaly none, we say. II is true there is a fugitive
slave law II is true there are the State and
United States laws; the first will restore your
property ichere IL finds 1.-THE last will punish
the offender WHEN he is convicted The recovery
of the property is attended with all the expenses
incident TO law suit, and is rendered otherwise
valueless, by the serious effect il has not only
upon the slaves recovered, but upon those who
are at home. There are some servants that the
wealth Of Girard cannot replace, for the love Of
your servant to you and yours is not purchase
able. Where, then, is the philanthropy Sure
ly not in tearing from respected protector a
servant who does not want to go, and who is
happy, contented, and well-cared for by his
master. Nor will you find il in the severence Of
all the ties Of kindred which bind him or her to
their homes and the homes Of their families and
friends. IT, then, there be neither law nor philan-
thropy for such outrages, where do they derive
their charter for the justification Of ssch conduct;
We answer, notchere, but in the black fendish,
wicked and helsh hearts of the Abolition
lists. Look at the morality Of it. A man steals
our purse; he is detected, tried, and under the
law punished. lie is much more respectable
character, for he takes the chances Of these con-
sequences. A man poisons the nature Of our
slave, and allures or forces him from our posses
sion. He is not tried, but suit only brought for
the recovery Of the property In this suit he adj
mits he did force our property from us; and not
wthstanding this admission, is baiied in the in
sufficient sum of IS ,000-an amount that we sup
pose the Abolitionists will raise for their dear
martyr in the twinkling Of an eye. We do not
mean to reflect upon the judicial course of Judge
Kane, for we have a high appreciation Of his
learning and fairness We think the INSULT
cheney is either in the law itself or in the rules
prescribed for the administration Of the law; per-
haps both.
But this act was perpetrated in open day-nay,
upon a crowded wharf-in the presence, we sup
pose, Of hundreds Of witnesses, only one Of whom
rendered the least assistance 10 Mr. Wheeler
And has il como to this, that hundreds Of citizens
Of one Of our largest cities will stand by coolly
and see felow-citizen thus maltreated; Ereyv
rho witnessed that and did moi interfere.
is an accessory 10 the outrage himself WHY. the
bandit will not reveal, even under oath. his
scenes upon the highway. But this devil, who
hires two negroes to hold the master, brides the
police, and steals the slaves, avows unblushingly.
in open court, that he did it. His excuse of phi
lanthropy fails utterly, for he forces the poor
slaves from fuller liberty than they can ever
hope TO enjoy again. But what principle is es-
tablished by successful and continued perpetra-
ton Of this violence TO indiriduat rights What
would be thought Of man in North Carolina
who would entice Mr.. Williamson's servant