The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-04-20
The obsrlin Rescue Case.

take notice.
The 0bsriin Rescue Case.
E-tl - Ky
The trial of one of the Oberlin Rescuers
under the Fugitive Slave act. which has been
in progress 10 the o. S. District Court at
Cleveland for between one and two weeks. has
caused deep sensation in the pnblic mind
To this "enhghieted country" so "exaited in
uoiut Of privilege 50 proudly boasting of
",be high state of civilization" TO which it has
attained, men are nov tried for the crime of
Welding obedience 10 the higher and better
instincts and impuIses of humanify.-nay.
more, for the crime of obesing The very pre-
deIiverance TO the captive, 10 resene all men
from the dire consequences and effrcts of sin
and evil and who gave utterance TO the Heav-
ie',ly Injunction. As ye would that meE should
do unto yon. even SO do ye unto them.
But in these days of -modern degeDerady,' ,
nnder the sway of Democratic administrative
and Judicial force nnd power, men are torn
fom their fapilies and their business. for obey.
ihS Hoi oDiy ibc utsI iilsuDcts oi TUG Huinab
heart. bat for Welding obedience to the laws
of Christ. But This is moiern pro slavery
Democracy!-a defiant abrogation of the laws
of the Almignty--a more vicious cnncenirs
i. zed. or humapized community ever before
Witnessrd. - =
The details of the long and naturally and
justly exciting Rescne trials. it is impossible
for Us to give in our columns. We must
therefore content oursel, es with giving few
leading particulars. only.
Tie Cleveland Herald speaking of the
transactions Of the eighth day of the trial.
says: s7asa asp Y -=. AN
The interest has daily increased in this trial
anil on the commencement If the arguments
every spot in the Court Room and in the
Judges parlors adjoining. was crowded with
spectators; among lIen very large number
of ladies.
The egument of Judge Bliss was as good
one as SO bad caIse admits of for no man
with u heart can throw. his soul into such
ca-e. IL is an up hill business TO talk even TO
a listening jury. when the entire audience SYM
pathy is against the orator; when. too Coun
sel knows that every step he takes he trends
upon Stare rights. and tramples feedom in
the dust. Judge Bliss acquitted bimself well
for he had nothing TO make his case out Of
save an arbitrary, cruel, vindictive and shame
less law h s4sa 5t
| Mr.. Riddle followed. Here let us say that
our report gives no correct idea of matter or
bis manner. Mr.. R.dile's style is peculiar, it
cannot be reported, and even verbatim re
port would not properly afford jnst concep
tion ot his argument. 1t was brilliant, fash
ing and scathing The last part of it, where
he took up the occurrences of that day at
4 WelliDg on, step BY step, from the gathering
Of the crowd at the fire until j Ohm escaped,
was powerful and convincing speech. j Ii
stfippeed the case 10 the buff laid it bare and
showed just what was done by the captors
and the slave. and by the crowd, and il left
but liytle for the government to rely upon -
Mr.. Riddles sitting of the testimony was con-
ple,e.
The enthusiasm of the crowd could not be
rep'essed, but broke oat-improperly we
admit-into prolonged applause. Mr.. R.
spoke. in all, about even hours, and he held
the jury closely all the time. ssS Z
Judge Spalfing opened his speech with one
of the most eloquent introductions we ever
heard. He gave some vivid illustrations of
the Higher Law, visited on Napoleon and
as proclaimed by the immortal j. fIerson. 9eab
| Ar Que point in his argument, in which he
replied to the assertion oil government couu-
sci that there was no danger of white men
/ heine captured as slaves. he pointed 10 a boy
.s si.,. !, =, 80 r.,
la hsl e. a;o .ne "u"se. sa.. .ua' =.
his c,,v- beso pr,.h',e do T;,d', hs ~;
lawful master. The house was electrified. and
some indiscreet persons calling ont let The
boy stand up the lad did stadd up, and prob
ably not con D rehesding what was or was moi
proper in q Couri of Justice, maintained his
elevated position so,ne moments. aI,bo gh told
.Ihy the Court, immediately on his rising 10
take his seat The effect of M king protert
Of while slave III Court. was magical, and
j a conclusive, answer to the COVE, umeot coup
ell on Iha, point.
Judge Spaitiing in the latter par. Of bis ar.
gument addressed hi,nsolf to the facts and
made an argument of commanding force upon
the Question OF The legality. OF. the capture
and the notice tie C: awd had npon the sub
III Ct. His OIL ions were strong and impfe.,
Inable 10 he effect that the crowd ned ali
Il means 10, learn BY what authority the ne.rs
!; Was held. that when thai AUTHORITY at last wa.
disclosed it was the warrant. which was good
tor no hing, and that TIE Power of A,,or,.e,
II was LOT shown as their authority but was an
LATTER Thought when il became manifest the
warrant as iieg gaI .5,.e,gs 5s.tr Il M 4ySf
u The Argument of Judge Spaldipp has added
even In has former r..,,,,tat ion as lawv.r am,
tadsocatt. and whaiever NAV be tie fac of the
targameHt with the iiry ii has sown valoab 3
setd 10 alaree aud 40, eIligent anaience. 3la5
i The Loader a,so s,,sa,,. 90 IL. caa,,,