The true Democrat., 1857-04-07
History Of the bred Sruft Case

As Dred Scott seems to have become quite distinguished character, and is likely to figure extensively for some time to come in the poli- tcal contests of the country, we subjoin the fol- lowing brief history of his case as furnished by the Washington Union
 Dred Scott instituted a suit in the circuit court of Missouri to obtain discharg, from servitude for himself and family. On the trial 1t was proved that he had been originally a slave in Mlssouri; that bis master first took him to the military post at Rock Island, in Illinois, and, subsequently,, to Fort Smelling in Mime sota, at a point north of the Missouri Compro- mise lne and that he and his family subse- quently returned with him to Missouri. It 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 alter returning to a slaveholding State The Circuit Court decided in his favor On appeal to the Supreme Court of the State, that tribu- nal held that he and his family, on returning to the State, continued slaves. Between the annuncaton of the opinion of the Court and the filing of it's mandate in the Circuit Court, SCOTT voluntarily dismissed his suit in the State Court, thus evadiug the decision against him; and thereupon instituted another iu the Circuit Court of the United States In this Court the question of jurisdiction depended upon his being a citizen of Missouri and the defendant citizen of another Stlte IL the Court should be of the opinion that he was a citizen, then he claim d that he was free, be- cause hlS owner had taken him to Illinois, and also to a part of the Louisiana Territory north nthe compromise line.
 The Circuit Court rendered final judgment against him; and taereupon he appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. where the same questions were raised and twice argued by his counsel and also determined against him. The cause was last argued bv GEORGE I. CURTls, brother of Judge CURTIS, and MoNr- GoMERY BLAIR, son of FRANCIS F. BLAIR for the plaintiff, ScoTT, and by Senator GEYER and REvERDY JOHNSON for the defendant On the first argument neither Mr. CURTIS nor Mir. JOHNSON took part. The fact that the Court ordered rcargument Is ample proof of the im- portance of the questions involved and the difficulty of solving them. On the last argu- ment the Court was filled with intelligent and anxious listeners. The Court took time to de- lIberate and prepare their opinions. Each judge formed and expressed his own. The reasons sustaining his conclusions are placed upon record by each, and his countrymen will read and reflect, and test them by rules of com mon sense and every day reason. No judicial tribunal can reasonably object to 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 that Soorr's name has been used by a class of slavery agi tators Tor political effect Having been beaten Tn Missouri and in the United States Circuit and Supreme Court they now attempt, for the same purpose, to appeal from the decisions of the Judlclary to political club rooms, where other considerations than calm reason and sober Judgment are expected to prevail Time will show whether they have calculated the result with accuracy