True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-27
For the True American ,

examination of witnesses AM arguments of
counsel, in the case of the alleged fugitive
slaves, have been brought to close. Com
missioner Pendery has given office that he
will take month to consider the case, un-
less he can make up his mind sooner
Meantime, the poor blacks, men, women
and children, have to layln Jail for safe
keeping. What is likelylo be the Com
missioner's decision, caIhot venture even
guess. The point of dehnce relied on,
was the fact that these menpnd women had
heretofore been in free Ohio, and that too
with the consent of the perSns who claim
ed to own them. ! think this point was
proven. But theh the Commissioner may
decide that, notwithstanding they had thus
been made free by being brpught into a
free State, yet they forfeited Sheir freedom
by again returning to slavery His view
of this case would remand these unfortunate
persons and their children forever, to slave
ry. On the other hand, however, it may
be strongly urged that in these United
States, person once free, can never be
made slave. Ifso correct and truly Amer
ican doctrine as this, should control the
mind of the Commissioner, these claimants
would fail in their efforts to return two
stout men, two strong women and three
children to slavery-rather than which,
they, the blacks, heroically say "they would
prefer to 60 singing to the gallows!"
What horrid curse slavery must be,
thet men and women would rather die, than
be returned to it! Yes. that mother would,
with her own hands, take the life of her
little innocent daughter, rather than have
her grow up subject to the degradation and
vices of slavery. While | cannot look
upon that mother but as murderer, and
subject to the penalties Of our laws as such
my heart bleeds for her misfortunes. and ap-
plauds her heroism. What mother or faith
er in Ohio, but wonldrather see their inno-
cent daughter dead and buried in the cold
earth, where the foul hand of brutal and Ii
centious man could never pollute her, rather
than be subject to the dcbasing, demoraliz'
ing, sensual, task driven life Of Kentucky
or southern slave. Yes, with all the lcga
and sinful weight of murder that mother
manifested the true heroism. And yet, w
are told, that "this institution" of slavery
which prompts murder, and makes its vic
Tins gladly prefer death, is necessary t.
the well-being of this country, and IL
the fit condition of men and women! On
upon such sentiments and some politl.
clans tell US we must not talk about tha
"peculiar institution" Its discussion
must be ignored. And this too, said tc
Americans THANK God, am too mucl
of an American to keep my mouth shu
against such abominations. No, Mr.. Edi
tor, the true wayis for every man to speal
QUITO speak boldly and truly. Let ever,
man in these United States, who loves th
Union an d human rights, speak out, not il
honeyed tones, but in loud acclamation
against slavery and all it's denominations.
The grand jury of this county has re
turned two bills of Indictment for murder
against the slave mother and her husband
and father and mother-in-law, as accompli
ces. As both the State Court and U. S
Slave Court claim jurisdiction in the res
pectve cases, it was feared at one tim
that the officers would come in collision.
hope, however, that nothing of the kin
will occur. In my mind, it is clear that /
this case, the State jurisdiction is supreme
The murder is an outrage against the State
The claim for these negroes, althoug
made in United States Court, is a mer
civil or personal claim, which cannot ovei
ride State sovereignty. The effort of tn
claimants is to get the slaves back int
Kentucky, so that when requisition shoul
be made upon that State for the slaves, tha
we may try them for murder, the Kentuck
Governor will tell US Ohioans first to pa
Messrs. Gaines and Marshall about F1v
OR TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS for the men an
women, and then we may try them for mul
der. Thus enabling Kentuckians to com
over into Ohio, violate our laws and comm
murder, and before we can have the priv
iege Of arresting and committing such KeI
lucky culprits, we rnnst pay to the value
one or two thousand dollars ahead! A mic
"institution" this And yet 0hioans hay
no interest in the slave question! 1t dot
not concern us! Another little way
which Ohio is interested in this slave que
tion-not only are we compelled by the Fl
| gitive Slave Law, against our conscience
10 assist catching runaway slaves but in I'll
recent trial, the cbiyalrous Marshall deem
ed II necessary, in this quiet, law-abidin
city, to keep under pay. attbe rate Of tw
dollars per day each, between three and foi
buudred assistants to watch over TWO Me-