The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-07-26
THE PHILADELPHIA SLAVE CASE.

We ragret that want of space prevents us
from giving full particulars of the recent slave
case at Philadelphia. The whole proceedings
in the case develop lamentable want of spirit
and selfrespect in the People of Philadelphia,
as well as low estimate of the value of iber-
ty. The laws of Pennsylvania explicitly pro-
vide that every slave brought into the State, by
the master or agent, shall be instantly free !;
and yet, here is case in which citizen of
North Carolina boldly attempts to pass through
the State with his slaves, and would have sue
ceeded but for the timely interference of one
wholly unassisted by the police. 1t is disgrace
full that Pennsylvania has not made every off,
Ger of the law, and every citizen, responsible
for the enforcement of this guaranty of public
Freedom. But, so far from it, the intrepid Mr..
Williamson and his colored associates are not
only unsupported by the State authorities, but
are run down by the bloodhounds of the FEEDER
eral Government, and, from present appear
ances, may be mulcted in heavy damages f! Obi
shame on the nominally free people, where
such outrageous insoence to the majesty of the
State can be tolerated for one hour
The conduct of the Federal officers, of Judge
Kane, and the District Attorney, was all that
could be desired by the negro-drivers of the
South. They acted as swift witnesses" in
behalf Of the STAKEHOLDER, and showed an alac-
rity in tsampling on the laws of the State and
the rights of human nature, which was worthy
of the Fl gitive Slave Bill. The District Attor-
ney, as I, Ill be seen below, displayed brutality
of spirit ,ot unworthy of Jeferies.
These supple creatures of Federal power
seem to rink it monstrous thing, that dis
tinguish y, STAKEHOLDER, foreign Ambassador,
cannot permitted quietly to carry his slaves
through e Free States, in violation of their
| laws.
But Il which marks the spirit of the men
| more CLEARLY than any words of ours could
portray ut, is the fact that, in default of any
substantial ground of legal proceedings against
williamson, he was bound over on false pre-
tences-von the pretence that he had been guilty
| ola contempt of court, and of perjury. He
was not held to bail for having run off Wheel
er's property, because the corrupt officials were
conscious that the slaves were entitled to free
| dom in fact, that point was never denied !;
and yet these ready tools of tyranny were will
| ing to force back the slaves into Wheeler's pos
session, by an attempt to frighten those who
had assisted them to escape. This is fully
shown by the concluding remark of Kane, that
abe would also say, at the risk of its being con-
sidered extra judicial, that if it is really in the
power of the defendant to produce the bodies
of the three persons, it would to him (the
Judged appear better for him to do So"
This Infamous suggestion, of itself, deserves
impeachment and expulsion from the bench.
Mr.. Wheeler is the Minister to Nicaragua
the country which Walker and Kinney are at
tempting to conquer for Slavery. There can
be no doubt but that the smart and Sinking
Wheeler intended to use his official prestige in
aid of the holy cause of introducing Slavery
into that country; and since he stopped some
time in Washington, there can be as little
doubt that this precious little official knavery
was known to and approved by the Govern.
ment.
But there seems to be fatality attending
all these vile and contemplate Vaccinations
against the freedom and independence of the
Central Americans. G..
From the Philadelphia Bulletin July 90
The slave case has assumed a more serious
phase than we had anticipated. The Hon. John
81. Wheeler, of North Carolina, u. S. Minister
to Nicaragua, is the owner of the slaves who
were freed on Wednesday afternoon, at Walnut
street wharf. 1t seems that Mr. Wheeler and
servants had taken dinner at Bloodgood's Ho-
tel on that day, and had then gone on board
the Washington for the purpose of proceeding
to New York. While at the hotel, the fact Of
the party being slaves became known. Mr.
Wheeler alleges that the slaves did not desire