Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-05
From the
ANOTHER TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY

On Saturday last, Judge Leavitt, in theU. S. Cir
cult Court at Cincinnati, gave his decision against
the motion for a trial in the case of Wm. M.
Connolly, convicted of harborng fugitive slaves
Connolly then called up for sentence. Judge
Leavitt said that the highest penalty for the ofense
prescribed by the statute fine OF $1,000 and
siA months imprisonment but the Court did not
consider it necessary in this case to nfct the ex
treme penalty-there were circumstances which
would make it proper to impose the slightest pu2
ishment consistent with the proper enforcement Of
the law, lie should therefore, adjudge the defend
ant to pay fine of $40, and be imprisoned for the
period of twenty days.
A number Of persons at the close Of the procee-
dings, says the Times, gathered around the prison.
er, and one gentleman who approached him was
so overcome by his sympathies that he shed tears.
This was a highly indecorous proceeding, and we
are astonished that the United States officers per-
mitted it. The unknown gentleman should have
been consig igned to suffer the same penalty with
Connolly. What business had be to thus endan.
ger the safety of the Union by manifesting sympa-
thy for a man convicted Of loving his neighbor
In an old book, which is probably unknown to
U. S. Judges and Marshals, we read that Il lawyer
once inquired of the Savior, "Who is my neigh
bort And Jesus answering sad certain man
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho ana fell
among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment,
and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half
dead. And by chance there came down certain
priest that way, and when he saw him he passed
by on the Other side. And likewise a Levite, when
he was at the place, came and looked on him, and
passed by on the other side. But certain Sa-
martan as he journeyed, came whore he was and
when be saw him he had com mpassion on him, and
went to him, and bound up his wounds, pq0ing
in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, md
brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out
two pence, and gave them to the host, and said
unto him. Take care of him; and whatsoever thou
spendest more, when come again, will repay
thee, Which now of these three, thinkest thou,
was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves p
And he said he that showed mercy on him. Then
said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise"
The book does not state that the Samaritan wac
fined and imprisoned for his offence, and We are
left to conjecture whether his erime against good
government was adequately punished by the aa-
thorties Of that day. We must remember, how
ever that this was done in dark age of the world
Probably they had no Fugitive Slave Law in Ju-
dea at the time, and no Judges Marshals %
Commissioners, specially deputed to execute it,
and the maritan who irreverenty disregarded the
the example If the Priest and the Levite may con-
sequently have escaped the punishment due for
his offence. But things are managed differently
nowadays, in Ohio 1t is dangerous now to imi-
tate his pestlent example. We live in more en-
lightened age We flourish in a land OF liberty.
we have Sunday Schools and Churches, and Tract
Societies, lat least Tract Society," and Missions
to the beathen, and afford to condoie with me
miserable wretches as that remote age who had
no Fugitive Slave Law and no officials to adjudge'
fines and Imprisonment to those who, III dehance
of its pena tes, proper to obey the Injunction,
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,'
Go We even SO to them. Poor destitute creatures.
while rejoicing ia our superior advantages, we la
ment over your darkened Ignorance and destita-
ton.
We find in book of somewhat later date, AM
other case, which Judge Leavitt probably regarded
incucating sound constitutional principles, and
as aloI ding a safe precedent for him to foilew.--
"Hark ye, Clinker," said Sir Matthew Bramble,
after listening to the allegations against the oacass
parish lad, ''you are most notorious offender
You stand convicted of sickness, hunger, wretch1'
edness and want" Connolly convicted of the.
same Offenses, and, in addition, of Ignorance OF
the laws of Kentucky, and, what was worse, or
taking Bologna sausages to two Sretches VINO
were hung ~, miserable and destitute. Whet bet
ter fate does he deserve than prison? Let as
rejoice that the Fugitive Slave law has been!
vindicated, the integrity Of the Union maintained
and, this fanatcal imitator of the Samaritan In
the old book we have named duly punished.
Fourth of July orators may find IN this result a
theme for the exercise of their powers. This deei.
sion being in harmony with the teachings Of tho
Declaration oflndependence, affords a new cause OF
rejoicing that the Interests of the country are 10
safe hands Patriotism is still in the ascendant,
and the principles of Mr.. Buchanans AdmihIstra-
ton again in triumph. Let the organs OF the Ma
tional Democracy celebrate their victory with ap-
propriate rejocings.
The Statesman finds congenial and appropriate
employment in defending the conviction OF Con-
nelly. The forms of law were scrupulously OBJ.
served, aud everything was as "legap aud reg
ular" as the doings which initiated the Lecompton
Constitution. What right has anybody to COM
plain? The imtator os the Samaritan receives no
commendation from the Statesman. Connolly was
convicted, the majesty of the law vindicated, aud
the safety of the Uron established. discipline
must be maintained" 800
But persi6ago apart, this so-caed law is felt
TO be an infamous enactment. The Judge whV
has sentenced; Connolly virtually acknoW ledged
this by ining him only $40 instead of $1,000, and
sending him to prison 20 days only instead Of f,r
six months. Those who make,it respectable only
dishonor themselves.
"Nor all that heralds rake from cofhncd clay. 10
Nor horid prose, nor honeyed lies Of rhyme, r
Can blazon esil Deeds or cOnsecrate crime" T