The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-04-14
DOMESTIC SUMMARY.

IMPORTATION OF AFRICAN NEGROES.-Ine
Circuit Court of the United States for the sixth
circuit, Justice Wayne, of the Supreme Court,
and Judge Magrath, of the District Court, pre-
siding, was opened at Charleston, South Caro-
lima, on Monday last.
Among the matters of moment to be brought
before this session of the court, will be the
cases of the United States as. the Echo prison
ers and the United States Us. Corrie, both for
having received and transported negroes in
Violation of the law of the United States de-
claring the act piracy.
The Charleston Mercury wishes to see the
consttutionality of the laws against the slave
trade tested, and is therefore in favor of an ar
raignment of the Echo prisoners.
Smith O'BRIEY.-We are highly gratifed to
find that this Irish gentleman has had the in
dependence to tell the Georgians that he is not
in favor of their criminal project of reviving
the slave trade.
The Independent South (Griffn, Ga, giving
an account of Mr.. O'Brien's short stay in At
lanta, reports part of his conversation thus:
" He expressed dissent from his friend John
Mitchel's positions upon the African slave-trade
and Union questions. Mr.. O'Brien's opinions
upon both these subjects may be influenced by
old-country prejudices. We rather incline to
the Mitchell side of the argument, but have no
quarrel to pick with Mr.. O'Brien."
The FUGITIVE SLAVE CASE IN PHILADEL-
PHI Philadelphia, Wednesday, April 9Th,
1S59.-The evidence to show that the alleged
fugitive slave, Daniel Webster, confessed to the
officers who conveyed him to the city, and others,
that this was his first visit to Philadelphia, was
admitted after long argument by counsel.
This testimony completely overthrow the most
important evidence of the defence. At mid
night the evidence closed, and counsel summed
up the case, occupying six hours. The Com
missioner reserved his decision until this after
noon.
The courthouse was crowded this afternoon
to hear the decision of Commissioner Long
streth on the fugitive slave case. Crowds of
whites and blacks were also gathered outside.
The Commissioners said his duty as an Off
Ger was plain and simple one, laid down by
law. He discountenanced all attempts of coun-
sci to appeal to private sympathies. At an
early stage of the case he was satisfied that it
was intended more as show case, but he be-
Geved in the largest liberty of speech. After
explaining his connection with the case before
the arrest of the fugitive, which was merely in
accordance with law, he said there were three
things to be proven by the claimant, to wit, debt
of labor, the escape of the slave, and his iden-
tity. He reviewed the testimony on both sides,
and believed that the two first points were sat
isfactorily proven. He disagreed with the coun-
sci of the claimant on the matter of the time of
the escape. 1t was material in this case, and
is evidence that the claimant says that the es-
do har IL. -
proven that Daniel was in Harrisburg at least
in the winter of 1853, or the spring of 1854
The power of attorney was also defective. In
the point of the height of the negro there was
a difference Of three inches. He confessed he
was not satisfied with the identity. The pris-
oner was discharged. The decision was greeted
with immense applause. 1t was somewhat un-
expected, from the tenor of the opening remarks
of the Commissioner. Daniel was carried on
the shoulders of his friends through the streets
and a large crowd. Intense excitement is pre-
vailing in the city. The Abolitionsts propose
apublic celebration.
IMPORTANT RAILWAY CONVENTION. Lon.
IS, april 8.-A Convention of all railroads ter.
minating opposite to St. Louis was held here
yesterday and ended in most important action
They declare themselves wholly independent
of the four great Eastern roads, and adopt ar
bitrary rates to the following points Cincinnati,
Indianapolis, Joliet, Chicago Matteson, and
State Line. On through passengers they re-
quire, as their proportion, the rates adopted at
1 Re Ge aS Isket Agents Con-
rates have been modified by general mutual
arrangements, and i'll the sale of tickets east
ward of st. Louis they will maintain the prices
established by that Convention.
Freight rates adopted are those now current.
The roads represented were the Ohio and Mis-
sissipp, Terre Haute, Alton, and st. Louis,
Great Western of Illinois, Illinois Central, and
St. Louis, Alton, and Chicago.
REIGN OF TERROR IN ALABAMA-A strange
organization was inaugurated by large pub
lie meeting, at Cedar Grove church, Bibb county,
Alabama, the 18th ult. Our contemporaries call
it Vigilance Committee" and all good and
honest men of that and adjoining counties, who
are in favor of peace, quiet, and good order, are
invited to become members of it. And for this
purpose book has been opened in which cti-
zens are to enroll their names, and those thus
enrolled are to constitute what is called gen.
eral committee The chairman of this commit
tee is clothed with power TO call meeting of
the same Sat any time and place he may see
proper" Moreover, /" if as many as twenty
shall assemble in obedience to such call, they
shall form quorum for action" and, in the alb
sence of the regular chairman, may appoint
Temporary one for the.transaction of business.
The nature Of the business is clearly set forth
in the following resolution:
ReSOlred, That whenever this committee, so
assembled by the call of the chairman, or at any
of their regular meetings, shall, by resolution
passed, denounce any man as a bad man, and
unworthy to reside among honest men, that
then it is proper for such man to he expelled
from the neighborhod and that any person or
persons who may, by mild means if possible,
. and stern means if necessary, compel such man
to move, shall be entitled to the thanks of the
community at large"
But this is not all. The chairman of the
aforesaid General Committee is authorized to
nominate a f." secret committee of not less
than five nor more than fifteen good and true
men" whose duty it shall be to prevail upon
all bad men, who have been denounced by the
General Committee, to leave the community.
This secret committee is to be constituted
by the chairman of the General Committee,
that he himself, or any one outside of it, shall
not know who are the members thereof 1t
is clothed with power to elect its own chairman
and to arrange its own place of action. 1t is
also hold its meetings secretly and to oct Sc
crety, the members thereof using "sueh dis
guises as will efiectualiy prevent disclosure of
their persons
Nor TINE ENoUGH.-We complain that we
have no time. An Indian chief of the Six
Nations once said wiser thing than any phi
losopher. A white man remarked in his hear
ing that he had not time enough. well" re-
piled Red Jacket, suppose YOU have all there
is l" He is the wisest and best man who can
crowd the most good actions into noc-- Elmer
son.
GERMAN CATHOLIC IYsTITUrE.-The German
Catholics of Cincinnati have subscribed $44. l5O