Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-08-13
The Green County Rescue Slave
Cases.

The case of Sheriff Clark, of Champaign
county, was before Commissioner Newhall
of Cincinnati, on Monday, Judge Johl
A. Corwin, a prominent Democrat, anC
late of the Supreme Bench Of Ohio, anC
Todney Mason, Esq. conducted the defence
Judge Stanley Matthews is the U. S. pros
ecutor. In replying to Judge Corwin, MI
Mathews declared the assertion of judge
c. that the administration regarded 1t as it
main duty to catch runaway slaves, to b.
an infamous libel. Judge Corwin imme
diately stepped in front of Judge Matthew
and asked what he meant by the use o
such harsh language. Judge Matthews re
piled that he meant just what he had said
and repeated the epithet of infamous libel
Jud ge c. placed himself in striking posi-
ton and said "YoI are liarI' The Mar
shal at once seized Judge Corwin, and pre-
vented blows. Both lawyers expressed re
gret and appoligized to the Court.
The case of Senator Brand was then in
vestigated, but the decision of both cases
was reserved till Tuesday. Judge Corwin
made most scathing speech in his defence
of Senator Brand. We quote from the
Commercials report:
Judge Corwin commenced by denounc
ing the prosecution as frivolous and absurd
and calculated to bring the federal govern.
ment into contempt, and proceeded thence
to show how serious might be consequen.
ces, in case of conviction, to moral, honor
able, upright citizens of Ohio, absolutely
guiltless of the "crime" imputed to them
The worst possible construction to be put
upon their offence by the most ingenious
sophistry, was simply that the defendants
had misconceived their rights and duties as
citizens of a sovereign State. But even
this he claimed to be beyond the bounds
of Sherif7s posse they were bound to exc
cute the process of their State Courts with
out possessing the right to inquire into
their validity.
He then took up the testimony and re-
viewed it at length, dwelling upon certain
vital points involving the standing and
conduct of the Deputy Marshals, and COM
menting upon their raid into Champaign
county, now with the most bitter mockery,
and by turns with savage invective that
made the walls of the Court House ring to
the echo, and the unfortunate Marshals
writhe under the terrible torture to which
they were subjected. He depicted ten
stalwart Marshals, some of them famous
throughout the State for their pugilistic
prowess, and other accomplishments, dis
tinguishing them from from gentlemen, all
armed to the teeth, making their way to
the unprotected dwelling Of a farmer upon
the scent of a poor nigger flying from the
CALLING chain of servitude; described their
miserably abortive effort to obtain posses
sion of his body, and rallied at them with
almost ferocious vehemence. He spoke of
the moral force of one human being once
in servitude, but having tasted the sweets
of liberty, and armed as the Marshals were,
he said-in tones that fairly shook the
temple of Justice" Yes Sir! Yes Sir!
He could whip ten such marshals as were
then hunting him to slapery!."
The effect of this sally was electrifying
There was momentary pause, and seni-
cessation of pulsation in the hearts of men.
The Marshals all pale, fairly quivered with
excess of passion, when suddenly Deputy
Marshal John c. Elliot burst forth You
are a HarF
Judge Corwin's face flushed moment,
but regained his composure instantly, and
gathering irresistible force, he turned upon
his in>ulter with bitter sneer, as if in ut
ter contempt, and with redoubled force reit-
cred: "SIRS, HE DID WHIP SIX! all
armed to the very teeth! y
The Court meantime looked on with the
utmost composure, and never lifted voice
in defence of its dignity.
Mr.. Corwin then went on in similar
style to describe the manner in which six
Marshals were intimidated by bed ridden
old man, (R. Russel,) who had sent his
daughter to the door to meet them, and
upon one of the Marshals threatening to
shoot her if she did not give way, threatened
to blow hole with his rifle through the
man that would harm his daughter
Replying then 10 the District Attorneys
sneer at the prisoners, who he charged
with having skulked from arrest, he again
demanded, "who first skulked! The Mar
shals! who ran and hid in the woods, and
upon their return to Cincinnari denied
having been upon the expedition at
all. Two of the Marshaps partyF' Here
again he indulged in fight of denuncia-
tory rhetoric, attended with sarcastic thrusts
1t the bravery of the U. S. Marshals that
aggravated them into fever. Such a gal
ing, withering, blasting excorialion sell
lom falls from the lips of man before our
egal tribunals. The Reporters pen can
lot sketch it.
The State Journal notes as good sign
hat since the enunciation of the bred |
Scott decision by Judge fancy, and the
proceedings before Judge Leavitt and U. S.
Newhall in the slave hunt
ases in Clark and Champaign counties,
hree distinguished ex-Judges of the Su-
'reme Court of Ohio, viz: Judge Warden,
udge Caldwell, and Judge John A. Cor
yin, have openly denounced the correctness
nd the policy of such law and such pro
eedings. They were always democrats"
'hen that term meant something more
han it does Low; for as now construed
nd acted upon, it means the hunting of
egroes and the suppression of liberty. In
word If Is the rankast kind of The rank