Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-08-11
From tho New York Sun Jnly 30
JUDGE KANE ON SLAVE POWER.

JUDGE KANE ON SLAVE POWER
The recent decision OF Judge Kane, in tho
United States District Court in Philadelphia in the
case of Passmorc Williamson and tho slaves OF
Mr.. Wheeler, United States Minister TO Nicarauga
ottracts more than ordinary attention. Judge
Kane certainly advances some startling doctrines
Our readers generally aware Of the circumstsn-
ces of the
The act Of Mr. Williamson may be regarded by
many piece Of intermeddling not to be con.
dcmned but there are few citizens Of the northern
states who will not regard the doctrine enunciated
b.; Judge Kane as OF Il most dangerous character II
strikes directly at the foundation of state
eighty. and state rights II the United States
Court can protect the slave owners in bringing
their slaves into the free states and holding them
property notwithstanding state laws nboshing
involuntary servi,ude and declaring the soil free.
then the name free state is dSusion, and all the
states may hayo slavery fastened upon them BY tho
federal administration operating through the fodor-
al courts.
Heretofore, slavery has been regarded as local
institution existing only where established by pos
tive laws; but Judge Kane attempts to extend the
system over the whole United States under the
eouraging shadow of the United States Courts
He would arm the slave states with all power, and
make the free states powerless to protect them
selves from system which they abhor The peo.
pie of the free states will scarcely submit to this
incipient effort to fasten the shame of slavery OH
them They will not interfere with slavery in the
states in which it exists, but they will not permit
the power of the Federal government to be used to
destroy the rights of the several states and to
tabsh centralized despotsm. If North Carroll.
ma claims the right to make slaves, Pennsylvania
can claim the right of excluding slavery from her
soil. The United States Courts must not under
take to enforce North Carolina slave laws in Phila-
delphia or New York, or in any other part Of tho
free states.
Prom the Detroit Democrat Enquirer July q.
Mr.. Wheeler, it is known, is the accredited Min.
lister of this country to Nicaragua, and is most GER
tainly presumed not to be ignorant of the fact that
in bringing his slaves to free state, they becams
by that act emancipated. And knowing this, he
seemed to have relied upon the attachment Of his
slaves for him. or upon the ties which bound them
to relations at the South. In this he was disap-
pointed. He risk, which eventuated contra
ry to his expectations and he has no right to COM
plain.
Bnt there is far more important consideration
than this to be reflected upon. The courts have
adj udicated the law by which slaves voluntarily
brought to free state, become free with grave
% I'd to the vital interests of the northern states
The Sodth has enacted laws for the protection Of
her Institutions all of them and harsh, and
some Of them clearly unconstitutional. No consid-
sration for pecuiarities OF northern feeling deters
her for an instant, IN enforcing those laws with
the utmost rigor She imprlsons colored scamen
from the North, who visit her ports, subjesting
them te heavy expense which sometimes is only
liquaded by selling them into slavery. All this is
done by southern laws, and southern public opin
ion. And yet it becomes terrible thing if o
northern state enforces its laws, and brings
the power Of its public opinion to bear upon q
southern man. We hear charges OF treason and
bad faith at once, but fortunately the convictions
Of most men are accessible to reason.
But further, the'right Of free state to declare
slaves which may be brought within its borders
free, is highly important for the conservation of it's
Bill of Rights land cannot be surrendered Let
there be general surrender of this right, and sla
very is national;zed. True, it will only be right
of transit limited continuance at last but in its
train would follow inealculable evils. Contrary to
the general public sentiment, it would excite
cerbty Of feeling 1t would naturally incite color
ed people Of the North to acts of violence in
cipating tn cir brethren which would lead to still
greater estrangement between North and South.
And, if that much were granted, more would be
presumed upon and our courts would be filled
with character Of litigation fruitful Of the most
nhamed feeling and angry expression. Slavery is
purely local institution and it is not safe to con
consider it in any respect otherwise. 1t is due the
dignity as well as demanded by the welfare Of tho
free states that they do not consider it other
wise