The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-04-08
IIistorY OF the Drea scolt Case..

.l H- r 7 y .
Impression sought to be made by Political agita-
tors, that this case was got up and pushed to a
hnal conclusion in the Supreme Court by, The
friends of the present administration, as party
movement or otherwise. On the cohtrary, it
has bech done solely by those who nov. com;
plain or the result. The suit was instituted
and prosecuted by them; but whether for rcliti-
cal effect, or with the hope of securing differ
ehi conclusion, we shall not attempt to deter
NINE, The trlie history Of the matter is this:
Scott instituted suit in the Circuit Court Of
Missouri to obtain discharge from seryitude
for himself and family. On the trial it was pro-
we'd that he had been originally a slave in Mis-
sour, that his master first took him to the mill
tary post at Rock Islahd, in illinois, and subse-
queatIy to Fort Smelling in Misnesotsl at q
poiRt rorth of the Missouri Compromise line,
and that he and his family subsequently, returned
with him to Missouri. ItYas contended in his
behalf that inasmuch as his owner had volunta-
rly taken him to places where slavery did rot
exist by law, both he and his family became
free, and relnaiiied 50 rettrfiihg Is slave
holding State The circuit c6rtt decided id his
favor. 0nappeal to the Supreme Court Of the
State, that tribunal held that he aud his family,
on returning to the State, continued slaves
Between the ahnunciation Of the opinion Of the
court and the filing of its mandate in the cir:
cult court, Scott voluntarily dismissed his suit
in the State court, thus eyading the decision
against him; and thereupon iiistituted another
in the circuit court OF the United States. In
this court the question Of Jurisdiction depended
upon Ills being citizen Of Missouri, and the
defendant citizen Of another State If the
court should be of opinion that he was acitizen
then he claimed that he was free, because his
owner had taken him toillinois, and also to. 4
part of the Louisiana territory nerth ct tbe
Compromise line. The circuit. court rendered
final judgment against him, and thereupon he
appealed to the Supreme Court of the United
States, where the same questions We're raised
and twice argued by his counsel, and also de
termined against him. The cause was last ar
gued by George I. Curtis, brother Of judge
Curtis, and Montgomery Dlair, son or Francis
P. Blair for the plaintiff, Scott and by Senator
Geyor and Reverdy johnson for the deienaaiIt
Messrs. Curtis, Geyor and johnson, are wings
while Mr. Blair's political syfhpathies are un
derstood to be with his father. W. '' rs
On the first argument neither Mr.. Curtis rc
Mr.. johnson took part. The fact that tht
court ordered a re-argifnentis is ample proof Q
the Importance Of the questions involved, Dill
the difficulty of solving them. On the last ar
gument, the court was filed with intelligent ant
anxious listeners. The court took time to de
libeiate and prepare their opinions. Eaci
Judge formed and expressed his own. The rea
sons sustaining his conclusions are placed apSsl
record by each, and his countrymen will reat
aid reflect, and test them by the rules Of com
mon sense and everyday reason. No judicia
tribunal can reasonably object to criticisms ba
sed upon; such principles. Truth will neve
suferby being subjected to the standard Of rea
on and right. -. ,
From this statement, It evident that Scott
narno Has been used by d Glass of sfei'sfayaf.
dgitators, for political effect Having been bea
ten in Missouri, and in the United States Cir
cult and Supreme Court, they now attempt, fol
the same purpose, to appeal from the decisions
Of the Judiciary to political club rooms, wher
other considerations than calm reason and 50.
Der Judgment are expected to prevail. TIM
will show whether they have calculated the re
suit with accuracy.-R,eh Enq,ire. " FL. '.'7