New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-26

ward ~ the full bench-Judge Knox strongly dis
s,ntinr-on the ground of independent jurisdiction
in the Federal Courts involving the right to pun
i.b for contempt; the Court holding that there is
no remedy for an abuse of this night, however
fragrant. but through en- impeachment. So William
son lies II prison, without hope Of release, and Is
insul,inely told that be can liberate himself BY
making proper submission to Kane
How can hel What can he sayl His 6rss
answer was the naked, literal truth. He never
Aid have possession, or custody, or oversight, OF
Wheelers liberated slaves. He never knew
whittier they vert when. in company with other
blscks. they left the ferry-bost in his presence
lsst July. He had never seen them before that
hour; he never saw them afterward, though
the mother was brought int Court when the
| negroes who aided her to carry off her ct ildren
were tried before Judge Kelly for assault and
battery on Wheeler. But Williamson was not
present at and had no part in this trial. The
writ served on him did not require him to dis
cover and report the hiding-place of these freed
cbatteIs: DO writ of habeas corpus could make
such requisitOn. What it did require he
answered truly, in the sight of God and man.
and the submission now required of him is at
once iniQuitous ard impossible. Even if his
answer had been evasiye, tina. is no contempt
of Court. as has been sbundantly adjudged.
In such case, the party aggrieyed must frame his
| interrogatores, and move the Court to compel
him to answer. If he responds truly, the de-
sired information is obtained; if falsely, he Is
liable for the perjury; if he refuses to answer,
that is contumacy, and may be punished as con.
tempt In WilliAmson's case, however, there
was nothing nearer contempt than simple
statement Of the truth. He had nothing to
conceal, having done no act which the laws do
not approve-none which even Judge Kane
would not be proud to call his own at the bar of
Eternal Justice.
In view of the cruel wrong to which he has
been and still is subjected, respectable body of
sympatbiziDg Pennsylvanans have presented his
name for the Office of Canal Commissioner of
their State, and we appeal to oil PennsylEanans
who love righteousness and hate oppression, not
merely to vote for him, but to circulate appeals
and ballots in favor of his election We urge
appeals 10 Editors for space in their columns to
set forth the facts above recited, and entreat all
voters to consider them; we ask good men to
procure handbills, circulars and ballots, days
before Election, and scatter them far and wide.
Nobody .eems to care much about the party as
poets of this contest, and We neither know nor
care which party, if any, has hitherto been hon.
ored by Dir. WilliamsOn's vote. There is
Wbis and Democratic candidate already, and We
presume Know-Nothing likewise; but good
MAD, we'll known as no election brawler hsy-
ing first circulated the documents, can stand at
any poll and induce scores to give their suffrages
for Passmore Williamson. His success, in de-
fance of party machinery and party interests,
would be singing rebuke to Judicial usurpa-
tion and outrage glorious observance of the
Scriptural injunction, Remember those in
"bonds as bound with them" Pennsylvanians!
in your prayers, your efforts, your votes re-
member your oppressed brother, PAssMoRE
WILLIAMSON