Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-09-25
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10, 1855
Refusal Of Writ of Habeas Corpus-Tae Issue Of
Freedom and slavery.

WEDNESDAY, SEf l.. ~, 1000
Refusal of the Writ Of Habeas Corpus-Tae Issue O
Freedom and slavery.
The following article from the New Yorl
Sun, of Sept. 18th, a pro-slavery apologist
shows that in the view OF even northern dough
faces, the conduct of the Pennsylvania Judges
both State and National, in the Passmore vii.
hanson case, is regarded as indeiensble, and
their decisions as dangerous to the liberty o.
the mhite citizens Of the North!
Republicans of Minnesota! cast aside al
personal leanings and likings and prepare to
vote for principle at the approaching election
for Delegate-to so vote, indeed, that the weight
of the voice of the people Of Minnesota viii
be cast on the scale of Freedom-will sympa.
thise with the friends of Freedom throughout
the Northern States-will put the seal of con.
demnaton upon unjust and corrupt pro-savery
Presidents Judges, and Delegates every where
Be not deluded, citizens of St. Paul-citi-
zens of Minnesota. There is but one issue IL
the present contest-the great and mighty is.
sue of Narery against freedom. Which will
ye choose
Personal feeng-personal Obligations
sonal likes and Gislikes--hase nothing to dc
in the campaign---it is and should be with all
a pure battle of princip'e, great, mighty and
holy principle.
The man who votes for Mr.. Marshall for
Delegate merely because he personally likes Mr..
Marshall better then he does Mr. Rice, or per-
sonally dislkas Mr.. Rice IN greater degree
than he does Mr.. Marshall, acts in u r"cre
manner, unworthy Of the of an intell!-
gent American Freeman.
On The other hand, the man who thinks the
Missouri Compromise sacred compact, and
its repeal "A foul wrong-who believes the trans
actions in Kansas ontrages against right and
freedom, which should be condemned and ar
resed---who sympathises with the great more
nent which is endeavoring to restore The Con-
slution to its original purpose Of merely fc!e-
rating Slavery where it originally existed, and
of preventing the extension of the curse to the
virgin territories of the Nation---tle man who
thus believes, thus thinks and thus synpathiscs,
and then out of personal feeling goes and votes
for Mr.. RICE for Delegate, stuilifies himself,
votes against his own principles, votes to give
triumph to the Missouri Kansas rutiians---
votes TO give the Administration of President
Pierce and the whole South, triumph over
Freedom, which will be loudly gloried in by
every pro-slavery press in the Union.
Keep it in view then, steadily, and persist
emily, that the issue is Eepublicanism and its
candidates ard FREEDOM, or Democracy
and its candidates, and the ertensiOn, propaga-
tion and support of SLAVERY.
THE PAssMoRE WILLIAMSON CAsE.-Wc
regret that the Supreme Court of PENNSYLVANIA,
by refusing Passnore Willamson's application
for writ of habeas corpus, has given new vig-
ton. The Court, we are bound to admit, inter
prctcd the law in accordance with the weight
of precedent, but its decision, nevertheless, will
do much to attach to Mr.. Williamson the char
actcr of martyr to the slave power. The
incident is a most untoward one in the present
distracted condition Of our politics, and the turn
which has been given to it will strengthen those
who desire only the opportunity to retaliate
upon the unwise and arrogant champions Of
Slavery.
Many who cannot approve of Mr.. William
sons intermeddling with Mr.. Wheeler and his
slaves, view with alarm Judge Kane's novel APP
plcation of the habeds corpus process and they
would have reloiced could the State Courts have
stepped in 10 relieve citizen deprived of his
liberty, on grounds which the common sense OF
all intelligent and imparial-minded men must
pronounce trivial and insufficient. If William
son was guilty of unlawful acts, TIE law could
punish him without resort TO indirection or
irickcry. \ court should be strict in maintain
ing its dignity, and in enforcing respect for the
laws, but it lowers its dignity and weakens pop
ular confidence in the ability of the laws to
protect the rights and liberties of citizens, when
1t ou,ragcs common sense by converting the
writ of habeas corpus into an instrument Of
OPPRESSION and REVENGE.