Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-08-18
THE WHEELER CASE.

- 5'N'N DN'J IL l. iiiuAS llAb 1t lOutlu IuC
bills against Passmore Williamson, James p.
Braddook, John Ballard, William GUSTS, William
Still, James Martin and Isaiah Moore. The Of
fence is riot, and assault and battery committed on
Colonel John Wheeler. The defendants, except
ing Mr.. Williamson, are colored men, and their
trial is fixed for the 9th inst. The lawyers for
the prosecution endeavored to bring them immedi-
ately to trial. Among the reasons assigned for
this was the loss the nation was sustaining by the
detention of Colonel Wheeler from his valuable
services in the Nicaragua Mission. As the great
business Of all national" functionaries is the Sc
curity and growth of slavery, and the condign pun
ishment Of all its enemies, we don't see how Mr..
Wheeler can be more appropriately employed than
in attending to this prosecution. And no danger
that his wages will stop during this delay. So we
can see no reasons, national or personal, why he
should hurry on. But then we are not in Cabinet
secrets, and perhaps there is some urgent necessity
for President Pierce to communicate aid and com
fort to Colonel Whoelcr's 6llibustcring partners,
Walker, Fabens and Kinney, as tho former has
suffered defeat and the latter shipwreck in their
Joint enterprise. But however urgent this foreign
business may be, the Minister has concluded to
seek the security of the domestic institution at
home until the 9th inst, rather than its extension
abroad.
If the following programme Of the Colonel's
course of legal redress, put forth by the Washing
ton Union, is to be relied on, the public is likely to
be long deprived of his valuable diplomatic la
bors.
The Union says there are four distinct legal
proceedings now in progress nndcr the direction
of his counsel, to test the question involved.
C.) "There is an indictment against Mr.. Will
hanson, and some six of his colorcd confederates,
for an assault and battery on Mr.. Wheeler, and for
riot.
(2.) "The proceedings under the writ of h@eas
corpus issued by John IL. Kane. Had Mr.. vii
hanson made tho expected return to this writ
and brought in the bodies, the question of proper
ty would have been the main question in the case
But he preferred not to do so. For this offence he
! has been committed to the custody of the Marsha
Of the United States, who has secured him within
a cell in the county prison.
(3.) In making the return to the haJcas corpu
Mr.. Williamson has taken an oath which the Union
considers clearly against the facts in the case
D For this, should he ever, by a proper purgation
relieve himself from the contempt, he will un
doubtedly be indicted in the district court of tn
United States.
a. An action in the case for he value of tn
t property taken, and for exemplary damages 70
l the outrage committed on the person of MI
Wheeler, and for his detention from the discharg
of important official duties. That Mr.. Williamson
$ is liable in such an action cannot be questiene,
, 1.-THE Union says on either Of the two grounds
first, the general implied obligation to return tina
which he has forcibly taken second, the express
: promise made at the time that he would be respon
sible to Mr.. Wheeler for all claims. He is ais,
undoubtedly liable in damages for a trespass /,
! laying violent hands upon the person Of Mr.
Wheeler. OF this suit the circuit court of tn,
a United States has jurisdiction, it being between
Q citizens Of different States. This will differ from
! the other proceedings in another point-to WIS, tn,
question of Mr.. Wheeler's right of property"
t We hope Mr.. Wheeler will be successful il
bringing this last important point to a decision
q We are anxious to know whether the Circuit Cour
: Of the United States will attempt by a formal de
Q cision to impose slavery upon Pennsylvania in de
fance of her consultation and her statutes, il
which case she can dispense with her Governo
and her State Legislature and State Courts. III,
legislatures Of the fifteen slave States can make he
laws, and the Judges Of the o.. S. Circuit and Dis
trict Courts can administer them. State politics
can thus 60 out of fashion and use, and those VIII,
( would serve their country can give themselves I,
e national" affairs. Thus a most perfect union
. of Pennsylvania with slavery will be consnm
J mated
BoLrERs.-A few ef.thc Extra pro-siayery, patri
otto, Wings who can't vote for Chase and Disuniol
any how it can be fixed met at Columbus last weel
} and nominated Allen Trimble as their candidate
for Governor. Mr.. Trimble has once been Govern
or of Ohio, though he has no chance for reelec
ton next fall whether his nomination will hell
Modill we are not wise enough to say. Tn,
Convention nominated no other candidates.
The telegraph announces that Mr.. Shannon ha,
accepted the appointment of Goyerno, of Kanra,
y and VIII star. immodiately FOR the Territory.