Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-04-26


decided before Wednesday
---s--u-a
Federal Onlee Holders--ReVerence for Law
Tho official hirelings who with commissions
in their pockets from prostituted Federal Gov
eminent, thrust into the cells Of Jail, as pure
and conscientious men as ever lived for the
pretended crime Of resisting law odious and
Unconstitutional and seek TO convict them by
packed juries made up of ''feliable Democrats" I"
declare with sanclimOnious pretence that good
faith to the Slave States demands that be rig
idly enforced, and that unless enforced anarchy
and civil strife win ensue,
Thus these officials attempt TO ward of the
indignation Of an outraged community, under
pretence that the good Of the Union demands
sacrifice Of their private feelngs a sacrifice we
may add mot hard to take" by the Marshal
District Attorney and Clerk, all of whose pock
cts give evidence in the shape of golden coin
that they could repeat it quite frequently with
out great lamentatiOn and mourning We
should be glad to learn how much these dsin-
terested Urion savers will make out of the Wei
lingtOn cases. For such dirty work they ough,
to be well paid
Bot justice to the Slave States demands "the
prompt execution of this odious Statute"
This proceeds upon the hypothesis that the
Slave States are prompt in their enforcement
of all constitutional requirements, aided by the
powers of the Federal Courts
How is this The Constitution provides that
"the citizens of each State shall be entitled to
all privileges and hnmunities of citizens in the
several States"
How has the South Obeyed this provision!-
For years South Carolina has made practice
of boarding every vessel from Massachusetts,
aud taking and imprisoning free colOred "eiti
zensp of Massachusetts charged with no crime
except wearing black skins.
So oppressive had this unjust and unconsti
tuticnal conduct ofthat State become that Mas
sachusetts sent to Charleston one Of her most
distinguished lawyers, Mr. Hoar, (who was
accompanied by his invalid daughteD upon the
peaceful mission of making case in the CouIts
t. test the constitutionality of the Law.
How was he met by the law abiding South
Within twenty four hours after his arrival the
'chivalry" of Charleston arose and thrust him
out like dog, the presence Of his daughter on
ly saving his life, aud to this day South Caro-
lima right under the nose of Federal Judge,
District Attorney and Marshal, systematically
violates that plain provision ofthe Constitution
And to come later down, look at Kansas
With its Federal Cour:s and Marshals active in
hunting down ''traitOrs" to its infamous Slave
Code--a code then and now admitted to be vio-
lative of the COnstitution-but all asleep to the
outrages of Missouri bandits and cut-throats
upon its peaceful citizens. To the honest in
habitants of the Territory the Federal Court
yielded such projection as the wolf extends to
the lamb.
Witness the murder Of Barker by Clarke, an
officer Of the United States the murder of Dow
by Coleman. the murder of Brown, and the
Wholesale slaughter by Hamilton of later
date.
What effort did the Federal Office holders
make to bring these murderers to justice Lit.
orally none. But let "nigger," as District
Attorney Belden classically terms him, but
show his black skin in a case, and the Federal
Office holders are rallied, to support the mojes-
ty of the law, and save the Union
Look again to Kansas See free Press,
that foe oftyrants and dread of despots, ruth
lessly thrown into the Missouri river, right On
der the nose of Federal officers, and all cn-
whpt OF justice go the perpetrators Of the out
rage. Sec the Missouri River, great national
highway shut up and its free navigation OBJ
structed for weeks by ruffians, and yet no pow.
er Of the general Government is stretched forth
to open passage or punish the offenders.
Let us now turn again to the South and see
how other Laws initiating against the "pecu.
liar institution" are observed by Federal office
holders and Federal Juries A few weeks
since several Of the Africans imported in the
Wanderer, while passing through Worth coun-
ty, Georgia, were stopped by Deputy Mar,
shal aided by number of citizens, and com
mitted to custody until word was sent TO the
District Attorney. The District Attorney re.
fused to have anything to do with the matter,
declaring that he had repeatedly written ana
telegaphed to Washington for instructions, but
could get none, aad consequently ly the negroes
in charge, and permitted to depart.
An attempt TO indiet Captain Corrle Of the
Wanderer, slave trader caught IN the very act,
before the Grand Jury at Charleston, met with
the same fate.
Judge Wayne, of the United States Supreme
Court, charged the Jury that the law declaring
the slave trade piracy was clearly constitutional,
and that it ought 10 be enforced. OF the facts
there was no dispute, aud the law the Jury Ad
sworn to observe and due presentment made of
all its violations, and yet to shield the pirate,
they violate their Oaths and refuse to fnd
Bill.
In the case of the Echo an indictment was
found, and the prisoners were put on trial. The
prosecution made out a perfectly clear case
showing the character ofthe vessel, her route
from Africa, and the taking from her by tho Of
fcers Of the Government Of the Africans The
prisoners offered no testimony. Judge Wayne
charged the Jury as in the Wanderer case; but
in obedience to Southern public sentiment,
just beginning to demand an opening Of the
foreign slave trade, the Jury returned verdict
Of aequittal.
Well may the RashVile Banner in speaking
Of these cases say .
"We Of the South complain Of the North be.
cause the fanatics Of that section rescue fugi-
tive slaves from the custody If tho U. s. of
oefs. With what show Of propriety or eonsis
teneV can we complain of the Nortbsr, ,,.,.,l. /