Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-04-01
History Of the Dred Scott Case.

As Dred Scott seems to have become quite
distinguished character, and is likely to fig
ure extensively for some time to come in the
political contests of the country, we subioin
the following brief history of his case, as fur
nished by the Washington Union:
Scott instituted a suit in the circuit court
Of Missouri to obtain a discharge from SER
vitude for himself and family. On the trial
it was proved that he had been originally a
slave in Missouri that his master first took
him to the military post at Rock Island, in
Illinois, and subsequently to Fort Smelling,
IN Minnesota, at a point north of the Mis-
souri, compromise line, and that he and his
family subsequently, returned with him to
Missouri. 1t was contended in his behalf
that inasmuch as his owner had voluntarily
taken him to places where slavery did not
exist by law, both he and his family became
free, and remained so after returning to
-Iaveholding State. The circuit court decided
in his favor
On appeal to the Supreme Court of the
State that tribunal held that he and his fam
lily, on returning to the State, continued
slaves. Between the annunciation of the
opinion Of the court and the filing of its mad
date in the circuit court, Scott voluntarily
dismissed his suit in the State court, thus
evading the decision against him and there
upon instituted q sther in the circuit court
fof ehe GR.tcd Sv Ss. Iu thi tpsp-t -S-Sres-
ton of jurisdictions depended upon his being
citizen of Missouri, and the defendant a cit.
izen of another State Ifthe court should be
of opinion that he was a citi zen, then h e
claimed that he was free, because his owner
had taken him to Illinois, and also to a part
of the Louisiana territory north of the com
promise line.
/ The circuit court rendered final Judgment
against him and thereapon he appealed to
the Supreme Court of the United States.
where the same questions were raised and
twice argued by his counsel, and also deter
mined against him. The cause was last ar
gued by George I. Curtis, brother of Judge
Curtis, and Montgomery Blair son of Francis
P. Blair, for the plaintiff Scott, and by Sen.
ator Geyer and Reverdy johnson for the de-
fendant. On the first argument neither Mr..
Curtis nor Mr.. johnson took part.
The fact that the court ordered re.argu-
ment is ample proof of the Importance of the
questions invO we'd and the difficulty of soly-
ing them. On the last argument the court
was filled with intelligent and anxious lis
: teners. The court took time to deliberate
, and prepare their opinions. Each Judge
formed and expressed his own. The reasons
sustaining his conclusions are placed upon
record by each and bis countrymen will
read and reflect, and test them by the rules
of common sense and every day reason. Nc
judicial tribunal can reasonably object t.
criticisms based upon such principles. Truth
will never suffer by being subjected to the
, standard of reason and right.
From this statement it is evident tha
Scott's name has been used by class of s la
very agitators for political effect. Havins
been beaten in Missouri and in the United
States Circuit and Supreme Court, they nov
attempt, for the same purpose, to appea
from the decisions of the judiciary to politi
cal club rooms, where other consideration
than calm reason and sober Judgment ar,
expected to prevail. Time will show wheth
er they have calculated the result with accu
racy. -