The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-13

Joshua Z. Giddings the OberIIn Rcscue
Casss-He Believes they should Have Hung

Joshua r. GIddings on the OberIin Rescu.
Css<s-He believes they shoaid Have Hung
The Cleveland Leader pubshes long letter from Hon.
j. r. Gddpgs in which he gives his views on heJrescue
cases Row bens tried there. We give the more significant
JEFFERSON, May 4, 1850.
MY DEAR tRIENp-fou AJAX my opinion in regard to the
now In jail at Cleveland for violating the fugitive slave
ensctmept.
That measure passed under the influence of threats
and intimidation Dsunion and boodshed were proclam
ed as the alter native in case Of refusal
This slave enactment under which our friends are i'm
was passed order to involve the people the
free States IN this gufo the purpose OF making them
accessories TO such CT INES
In disregardng this law the prisoners did yioM Thiy
Those pirates should hare been delivered orer to he coored
hare been speedily esecutd You are aware that this IA the
doctrine which proclaimed In Congress- adhere 10 H.
had the prisoners executed the slave cachers promptly
1t would nave taught the administration lesson not soon
to be forgotten We should have been no more troubled
With that class OF miscreanls. They would learned
better than TO show themselves among an intelligent
people who know their rights and dare maintain them
But IN rescupg their fellow man from the fanss of these
bloodhouncs the prisoners did right Present and coming
generations VIII bless them for IT, II was high moral
duythe exercise OF a virtue which sheds halo of glory
around tho memories Of our republican fathers. When
arrested for such an act they did well in refusing
10 give bail When brought into court they did right in
refusing 10 give bail and in my opinion they cannot now
recede from the manly position which they have assumed
By these noble acts they have inscribed their names upon
most important rage of our history they no longer
act for themselves In this business but for Justice for
liberty for the canse OF freedom The eyes Of the nation
upon them They should bear in mind the charaeter
Of the people of this portion Of gallant State They
should remember The pilgrim fathers from whom they
have descended. Cleveland is now the Boston of 1775
and trust her sons win meet the responsibilities thrown
upon them with becoming drmness.
AS 10 the future, see no other the prs ners
than patiently to await events Their counsel wilt apply
to the Supreme Court Of State for IDEAS corpus
whenever sentence shall be upon any Of their
number.
have great confidence in the Judges composing that
Court but should they unequal occasion the
case will then be fully made up, and the appeal then
be taken to that highest Of earthly tribunals the source
Of ali political power TIE people, finding TINS government
to have become obstructive of the lives the liberties
and the happiness OF its citizens, will alter or abolish IT,
and organize its powers in such form TO them shall
se most likely to eject their safety and happiness"
This duty, 30 solemnly epjoined by the found
Of our government, In that immortal charter OF Anne
rcaD liberty to which, for almost century. we have
been accustomed TO look for instruction aad direction in
regard TO rights, Will not be neglected Yours for
liberty and the constitution. J. r. GIDDINGS
Hon. RAIrH PLUMB.