Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-04-21
From the Ohio Columbian,
The ROSETTA SLAVE CASE,
, Eltior of Tie Ohio CollmliaN .

with the recent attempt tn sustain slavery
on the soil of Ohio, which think it would be well
to dwell upon for moment, not only account
of the interest attaching to the circumstances
themselves, but also that we may the better APP
preciate the beauties of the Fugitive Slave Act aud
the characteristics which seem necessarily to at
tach themselves to all who engage in the execution
of it.
And first, as to the execution of the warrant
and the capture of the girl in this city. Usually,
an officer goes about the performance of his duty
in bold and manly manner indicating at least
that he is not ashamed of his duty, and that he
relies upon just public sentiment to protect him
in the discharge of it.
In the instance before us, the officer, after lurk-
ing about city for several days, consorting with
and engaging in his service number Of men Of
his own kidney goes to the residence Of the citizen
in whose family the girl was employed, with a lie
in his mouth and under prctence of wishing to
consult him professionally, gains admittance to his
house, and into the very presence of his victim.
And them when the doctor, discovering the dcccp-
ton that had been practccd upon him, rotircs to
consult upon the course to he pursued, the girl is
seized, and by force hurried from the house and
into the carriage in waiting. bonnctless and shawl
less, on a cold day the sick mans disease having
been suddenly cured and forgotten i'll his anxiety
for the safety of his victim.
After the girl is hurried through the streets to
the depot, and aboard the cars, almost at the mo-
ment of starting one Of his tools meets her guar
dian. who has been notified Of her capture, and
assures him that the girl was already On her way
to Cincinnati, on Ice motive without a
train, and it will be no use to pursue her :;
thus showing that the officer could not only resort
to talschood and deception himself, but suborn
others to do the same But fortunately the guar
dian Of the girl was too wary to be taken in the
trap and fastening to the depot was enabled to
get into the same car where the girl was held, in
time to accompany her and her captors to Ciucin-
natl 1t was fortunate that he did SO for he very
soon ascertlinci after arriving there that the plan
was to take her at once before the Commissioner,
and on the testimony which the warrant was
issued, to hurry her over into Kentucky. into inter-
minablo bondage The wel-lad plan was only de-
leated by the promptness and perseverance, of her
guardian, in following close upon the heels Of the
cunsplrators.
The readers of the Ohio Statesman will remem-
Der that the editor Of that paper specially compl
mented and congratulated the officer for the gallant
and successful manner in which he discharged this
first duty of his new office! SO now we under
stand what constitutes a commendable discharge
Of duty, in the estimation Of the organ Of Ohi(
! Democracy!
The next point to be noticed, is the agency of the
Rev. DENNIsoN himself, in the transaction. Hi'
hypocrisy was as great as that of the officer, ans
more damnable in consideration Of the cloth h
wears. Your readers have already seen the dis
crcpancy between his statement published in tht
Statesman, and his oath before the Commissioner
upon which the warrant was procured. That Is by
| no means the worst showing Of his agency in til,
case. After Mr. Van Slyke had given his tcsti
mony before Judge Parker, in relation to the con
lversaton between Dennson and the girl, at hi
Wan Slyhe's) house, the Rev. Gentleman took hin
,.sde, and told him he was not Mt nil surprised q
the construction he had placed upon his condue
and conversation at his house" Ior," said Ae, e.
reat there for Tie cypress purpose ot dlceirng dac
RiacadiHg you, the better 10 eHGLie Mc 10 prCpaye H
way far tie capture qt Tie gii, cad her suIjsctioi
agatIs to ma seicice." This was said uUbushingl,
to Mr.. Van Slyke by one who has boasted, in th
Statesman, of his education and graduation Il
Dickinson College, his course Of study at Inco
logical Seminary, his ordination to the Christian
Ministry, his three years charge Of a Churc
in Virginia, and his present pastorate in her
tucky!
Hero we have a view of the high tone and pur
practice of slaycholding religion! But in thi
case, as in many others, we have an instance G
the Gulhlment Of the Scripture provcrp that " II
2 takcth the wicked in their own craltiness." FC
it is said that his assurance to the girl at Mr.. Va
Sykes house, that she could make her choice
with him again into slavery, or remain and he free
would have set her free even by the laws of kel
A tucky or Virginia Mr.. Van Slyke had dcgre
of respect for Dennison, until he made the aboy
declaration to him from which time he loathed an
despised him, as any man OF common sensiGilit
mnst have done.
Inc people OF ilnClnDntl, OF All ClaSScS, uCuIl
all at enlisted their feelings in the cause, an
gave unmistakable evidence Of their sympathy l(
the cause of freedom, and their good wiz towar
the girl, and those who befriended her. This fee
ing, it is said, greatly increased and excite
by the recent farce Of Judge Sorer, in having di
missed Il case before him, and having cunsigne
couple of men to slavery, because they had eXprc
sel willingness to so with their MASTER lie ha
entertained the case heard the testimony,and prom
. iscd q careful consideration and speedy decision
it. The case was a clear one; bat when the frienc
= of the slave went INTO his court onMondny morning
= anxously looking for decree which should s.
the men free, the timid and shallow judge rose
n his place. and stated that he had had an intervic
. with the men who had expressed their willingne
% to 90 with their MASTER aud therefore there was
( question before him and so they were hurried
a again to bondage. Instead Of Il manly decslo
h that their having been brought into Ohio by the
master made them free men, and then adding,
. he chose (although that would have been an a
of supererogation, and an uncslled'lor deVor
ofl Slavery,) that they were free to go or stay
shirked the question entirely, and left them sole
TO the influence of the batteries or threats that mi
D. have been employed to influence them. The nd
ulOusness Of this farce. / am assured, was so nc
tifyin, to the citizens of Cincinnati in genera
' that they were prepared to enter in the contest
a. Rosetta with an unwonted energy and spirit;
lie that her guardUn had no lack Of sympathy al
r tender of aid of any kind that should be neede
o to enable him to prosecute the case ana pfo'ect
rights to the end.
Judge WALKER enlisted in the case as coIns
with all the energies of his giant intellect ana y"
known legal ability Mossrs. CHASE and JoLLlF
. were of course on hand, as they always are wh
IN the freedom Of an individual, as we'll as popul
~ freedom is at stake.
-. Judge PARKER, although his feelings and sy
'' pathies had usually been on the other SIDE, rs
nm states in his decision at entered inte the ca
he and discharged his duty in all respects withc
.to fnching. His course stands out in bold and
. mirable contrast with all those Judges, OF high
NJ low degree, who resort to quibbles, and teehnic
I'D ties. and etiquette and sophstry, or what not,
d. avoid responsibility, when the question OF Freed
in OF Slavery comes before them,
,;s The entire press as well us the bar OF Clncihn
iis in this case enlisted the side of freedom l
he Ohio Statesman stands alone, Of the press OF
III press of the State in an expression of its sym
Thy for the orprcssor, and its wish that Slave