The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-24

rested IN Hartford county. and " hen taken b,
his master gave up to him pass which wa!
supposed to be in the hand writing of Bow
ers. from whom the negro alleged he had Y.
crived it. AT the trial the State proved by
VIM. Thomas, very intelligent and rcspec.
table witness, that he knew the band writing
of Bowers and believed the pass IN question
to lave been written by him. lie also prov.
I'd that in conversation with Bowers some
time previous to the escape of Dr. Davidson 5
servant, that Bowers admitted that he had
assisted slaves to escape The testimony was
ruled out by the Court vt the argument But
the object was accomplished of showing by
the sworn testimony Of Mr.. Thomas that
Bowers by his own confessions to him had
violated the laws of the land and the
rights Of his tellow-citizens, and subjected
himself to severe criminal justice - that he
Was pCliidious s"amp-an enemy Of the
community in which he lived, and dangerous
to its peace and security. Other testimony
was produced and Geo. w. Wescott, very
respectable gentleman of ChestcItown, swore
to his belief, that the pass was in Bowers
handwriting. though not so strong in his
| conviction or belief as was. Mr.. Thomas.
Two other witness cs sworc that the pass was
not in Bowers hand writing But one of
these witnesses after the trial, being shown a
genuine letter written by Bowers, as prompt
~ declared that this was his (B.'s hand
writing.
Many other facts, as TO subsequent ESCAPES
were stated, which brought the moral convic-
ton to the minds Of all who knew him that
this man was actively engaged in scducing
or-in aiding slaves in this county to abscond
from their employers. OF late years these
escapes have been in gangs, as many as eleven
or more going of at once, and together with
the best horses and carriages Of their mast
ers, aud others, and under circumstances
which show such concert of action and such
minute information as could only be furnish
cd by sone one engaged i'll the business Of
Planning and assisting escapes, Before the
tanlnS OF Bowers plan Of escape was detect
cd which was defeated while in progress
bowers was supposed to be connected with
this. The testimony, however, was not COM
potent in Maryland Court, though quite con-
vinclng to those who obtained it.
1t had, therefore, been determined by some
respectable citizens Of the county, as no legal
remedy could be had for an evil severely con-
deemed by the laws, and most injurious and
fatal to the property Of the county. that they
would take measures TO cXrel Bowers from
!hrlr midst. He had been permitted 10 avow
l
lauon, but it WAS no longer to he borne that
he should remain in the midst of a communi-
| ty whose prosperity and security lac was be-
.lcvcd to be constantly cndangering and i'm
| pairing lie was therefore by these gentle
men induced to leave his home at night, was
taken to the woods, larIcd, and directed to
leave the county, The least possible violence
or dSreSpcct was shown to his wife, as has
been falsely statod-no personal injury done
to her. The parry were sober men, rot slim
u'atci by liquor, hut quietly resolved to
ahate nuisance 50 dangerous to them and
all otncrS, holders Of slave property in the
county. MIR. Pcarcc showed the mutual de-
rcndrncc Of all classes in the community upon
each other. and how impossible to strike down
Tie prosperity Of one class, particularly tie
largest, without affecting injurously all others
| While he admitted le;dly the breach of law,
he showed how III all cases the fact circun.
stances which provoked 1t, so modified it's
character as to justify and demand that the
offended majesty Of Tie law should be ap-
! peaScd by slight atononent, and that
| where there was No moral condemnation
attaching to an act, the penalties of the law
were made as nearly nominal as could be-
and that IN such cases, public sentiment
| always justified such sentence But in this
case 1t was said that certain parties in the
county. not remarkable rs law abiding
people, had become 50 indignant on behalf
or Bowers, and the violation of law on his
person that they talked Of the proprcty Of
| lynchlng those who were engaged in this
proceeding, and had threatened with violence
many pcaceable persons who had no con-
necron with the affair, but were supposed
not to disapprove Of it. On one occasion
one young gentleman had beer assaulted
and knocked down because his father was
supposed TO I've one Of the party who tar,cl
Bowers. Another equally unconcerned was
violently beaten, and unusual threats had
been made against others. These people
were so few in nu.nbcr, not as he believed,
one-twenlich Of the adults of the county
1t was to be hoped that their indignation
would evarorate with their liquor, and that
when free from the influence of John Barley
Com, they would come to their senses -
But if they persisted in their course Of
viocnce they would he met by violence, and
the contest would not be doubtful-they
would be crushed completely, promptly and
if they were not, it vas time for conservative
people to Sell their lands to Northern men
Tor what they could get, and louk for homes
where constitutional and legal rights were
respected and enforced, and where it was
not permitted that the corruptor of slaves
the cmissarv of the abolition lists and the
secret seduccr should find immunity in tho
practice Of his infamous employ.
This is not pretended to tie even a correct
outline of the speech, but it is the best the
reporter could get.
REMARKS OF HON. JAMES d. RICAUD.
Mr.. Ricaud said he had made it his business
TO attend the meeting, at some sacrifice, to
show his friends his hearty concurrence in
their proceedings.
lie had formerly defended the man who
had made himself so offensive when indicted
for forging pass to enable slave to escape
Of course, he did his duty, but he did not
the less detest the crime, and he was prepared
at any and every personal hazard to take
part with the slave holders of the county
his native county where he was born and had
lived and where he expected to die. All his
interests and feelings were bound up with its
people and its interests, and he would be the
last to desert them.
If, however, it should ever he the misfortune
of the county to fall under the rule of abol
tionsts, he should be left no other alternative
but to sell out and so South. lie stated that
two OF his personal friends some time since
lost each slave and shorty afterwards he
was told by most respectable gentleman II
Pennsylvania, that seeing two negioes ir
his ncighborhood, apparently newcomers
he lad inquired of them who they were