Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-04-25
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.

They who were recognized rs citizens Of the
State, declared their Independence of Great Britain,
and defended 1t by force of arms. Another class
OF persons, who had been imported MS slaves or
their dopendants, were not recognized or intended
in that memorable nstrument-the Declaration of
independence.
1t is difficult at this day to realize the state of
public opinion respecting that unfortunate class
with the civilized and enlightened portion OF the
world at the time of the Declaration Of lndepen-
dence and the adoption of the Constitution but
history shows they have, for more than u century,
been regarded as beings of an inferior order, and
unfit associates for the white race, either socially
or politically and had no rights which white men
were bound to respect; and the black man might
be reduced to slavery, bought and sold, and treated
as an ordinary article Of merchandise.
Again, the Chief Justice said, from the best
consideration, we have come to the conclusion that
the African race who anne to this country, whether
free or slave, we're not intended to be included in
the Constitution for the enjoyment of any personal
rights or benefits and the two provisions which
point to them, treat them as property, and make
it the duty of the government to protect them as
such. Hence, the court is OF opinion, from the
facts stated in the plea of abatement, that bred
Scott is not q citizen of Missouri, and is not, there
fore, entitled to sue in the United States Courts.
4th, The bred Scott case, the opinion as an
nounced by Chief Justice, and which opinion
establishes the precedent, expressly decides that
no distinction exists between slaves and descend
ants of slaves, and other property.
9th. Now if the United States Constitution has
declared the African race brought to this country
as slaves (fcr mono other were ~brought) were
property. and merchantable chattels, then the Con-
stitution or laws of Illinois. cannot change that
character, such State Constitution being a limit of
power, and the State laws being dependent thereon
for their validity, and that the Constitution OF the
United States, SO declares them,
! 9th. The facts in the bred Scott case show that
the Africans therein mentioned, reside within the
Territory Of the State of Illinois, and that one or
more of the children of the African parents were
born in Territory Of the said State. Yet the
Court expressly hold them not citizens of Illinois
nor Of Missouri, nor of tho United States. The
only justifable reason for which, is from the facts
that they were property and chattels, and not
persons.
It'll. Our laws authorize the conviction OF
persons, not chattels. The Court cannot sentence
a chattel-nor property. The Warden of the
State Prison cannot and obey his mitimus receive
an African Slave or descendants, if he is nothing
but a chattel or property, into custody. If a chat
tel commits n wrong act, lie should be punished as
a chattcl, and not as a man. The fox that steals
property cannot be indicted and punished as a
nun but must be punished as a fox.
In presenting these points ! do so, rs in duty
bound, as one of the assigned council of these
Africans, and while personally differing from the
decision of the Chief Justice of the United States
Supreme Court. If such he his opinion, and that
it is, is admitted by the Prosecuting Attorney
yet, as a lawyer | claim, as is my duty 10 maintain
that the decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States is binding, and cannot be disObeyed
and that from the whole current Of such docis.
ion as far as we have been abled to procure the
same, these Africans are property-ani ought n, j.,
to be punished as men.
Therefore we ask the Court to override the de-.
murrer 10 the pleas by us interposed.
THOMPSON