Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1856-03-29
INJUSTICE TO GOVERNOR CHASE.

The National Era of last week has the following
defence Of Governor Chase from what it supposes
to be charges Of unfaithfulness against him in the
case of the late fugitive slaves in Cincinnati
Speaking Of their trial and rendition the Era
says:
The whole transaction is historical-the ages
will remember it, and the names of the men official
or hire.ing, who have signalizeG thcmselIe s rs the
allies of Oppression in this dark event, will rot.
What n commentary upon the Despotism Of sla-
very The claims Of the master overriding the
claims of Il State, Human chattelship paramount
over State Sovereignty The infamous Fugitive
Slave Act of Congress-, stronger than the whole
penal code of a Sovereign Stale.
A few honest and excellent people have shown
a disposition TO blame Governor Chase, as if he
could have prevented these outrages. They ought
to kpow him well enough, not to accuse him light
ly. Always aiming to secure some practical ad-
yantages for Freedom, he avoids noise and ostenta-
tiOr. We have reason to believe that his influence
has been steadily exerted in favor of II bill to
amend tho hahcas corpus act, introduced into the
Legislature of Ohio two months ago, and that had
IL been raised in season, it would have prevented
the terrible scenes enacted at Cincinnati. The
philanthropic Gerrit Smith, in Il public letter ad-
dressed to the Governor, seems to think it was his
duty to put himself at the head Of whatever crowd
he could rally, and rescue the fugitiyes. Rescue
them from what-the county jail? From whom
the Sheriff? No-but from the Marshal, to hand
them over to the Sheriff. But the Sheriff had
them already in custody, under State process. We
are informed, and have no doubt of the fact, that
Governor Chase openly expressed his opinion of
the transaction, and annou need his purpose to sup
port the Sheriff in his tw0.told custody of the
prisoners, with the whole power of the State if
necessary, but how could he interfere until the oc-
casion arose? The Sheriff is not his oficer-he
cannot control him-he can only act IN aid and
when called up IN, in execution Of the laws of the
State. The issuing of the writ Of habeas corpus
by Judge Leavitt, the surrender OF the iugitivcs
by the Sheriff, and the morstrous order Of the
Judge for their delivery, no one could tnresee-
and we all know that 50 summary and rapid was
the process, that the return of the Sheriff to n
capias, issued by the Prosecuting Attorney after
the action of Judge Leavitt, was, that he could not
find the parties.
Governor Chase, so far as we can see, did his
whole duty; the guilt Of the transaction lies at the
door of the system of Slavery, of the abominable
Fugitive Slave Act, and of Judge Leavitt, who
chose to assume that the State has no right to pro-
tect life or punish Il criminal offence committed
against its majesty, if it interfere with the claim
of q foreign master to the services of the offender.
Let public opinion fall upon the guilty. and not
the innocent-upon the supp rters, not opponents
OF Oppression.
1t seems then that honest people have done Gov
ernor Chase injustice. Let it be made to appear
anu llesc nOuCsI peuplo Will VI ourec hihciu-
so far as in their power, the evil they have occasion
cd. Certainly only the guilty should be condemn
ed. But who are they?
These slaves were seized and returned under the
authority of the rendition article of the Federal
Constitution, which according to Democrats, Ameri-
cans and Republicans, refers to escaping slaves.
All these parties, pledge themselves to execute,
that article of the constitution among the rest.
Governor Chase and the Republican party especial
ly did SO, last fall and thereby obtained the Gov
eminent of this State. When they thus sought
and obtained this Goveremeut. they knew as well
as they know now that Kentuckians would continue
TO claim their ehattels on our soil, that Federal
officers would surrender them, and they we'll knew
that they, the anti-slavery Republicans with Gov
ernor Chase at their head and the resources Of the
State 10 their hands would be as powerless as they
now find themselves for any rescue or aid to these
slayos-apl Is powcrles, to sustain the sovereignty