Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1859-01-01
NO. 81.
The Siege of 0berl;n.

IhS o'C'Ci.'hu i Iiiif'lt;icF gives the
following account of this affair:
The Grand jury of the United States
District Court has been in session for
several weeks in this city, examining
witnesses in the late Obcrlin rescue case
and last night brought their labors to u
close ~ finding true bills against thirty
seven of the ringleadcrs in this affair."
including the Rev. Henry Peck, Profess
sor in Oberlin College, the Rev. James
NJ. Fitch, formerly missionary to Jamai-
ca, several theological students, five fu-
gitivc slaves. and thirty other citizens
of all colors,
From snowy white to sooty''
These indictments were kept pro-
found secret until this morning. when
the Marshal started for his game before
they could be flushed by the news.
What his luck may be in arresting these
higher law dignitarics, their dusky mates
and theological satellites, remains to lie
seen. If Oberlin, the headquarters and
hotbcd of negro fanaticisln in the North
yields obedience to the Fugitive Slave
law, it is all over but shouting with the
friends of Law and Order" 1t is here
the Revolutionary Generals of the great
{" God and Liberty party reside. 1t was
here that Prof Peck, one of the indicted
erected his famous Fillibustcr Platform
during the last Presidential campaign,
on which muskcts as we'll as men were
to stand. Wonder if the Rev. Professor
will be found on said Platform now, with
his muskctcers about him, ready for the
fray? We shall see.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
The slave "Littlc john was arrested
at Oberlin by U. S. Deputy Marshal
Lowe, of Columbus, by virtue Of a war
rant issued by U. S. Commissioner Chit
tenden, Of the Southern District of Ohio
at the instance of Anderson d. Jcn-
nings, the deputed agent of the owner,
John G. Bacon, both residents OF Mason
county, Kentucky. On the same day
Ito wit, the 18th of September, 1859
thoslave was rescued by !, mob at Wei
lington. Prof. Henry L. Peck, Hon.
Ralph Plumb, Rev. James M Fitch, all
of Oberlin. and nine others, among whom
are three negroes, have been indicted by
the Grand Jury for aiding and abctting
in the rescue above; and twcnty-four
persons, eight of them negroes, have
been indicted for rcscuing the said slave.
How many of these rcscuers will
peaceably come into court, .cnter into
and stand trial at the next
term, which will be in March, will soon
be known. Prof Peck may, after all his
boasting and bloviating, come to the
that "discrction is the better
part of yalor." He may shut up his col.
ege for few days, and not only come
INTO court himself, but bring his students
md shades with him.
As he is in the habit of taking his rifle
With him, or, as in the late rescue, "send-
ng it along by his hired man." he can
conc armed and equipped according to
he requirements of the Higher Law,
lnd plead to his Indictment with arms
But there is portion Of these Oberlin
citizens which we fear will be diffident
about making their appearance in open
court. There are among them five fngi
i've slaves, who will probably "cut for
Canada" as the shortest cut for liberty,
.atller tnan give bail for their appear
snce at United States District Court,
IN fixed day. Such citizens, we opine,
will leave, and not be at the polls to vote
he Republican ticket at the. next cleo
ion. We have reporter ON the ground,
md shall give all the details of this
First Siege Of Oberlin.D In the mean
inc, watch and pray!
The Administration has thrown
nc Oyeriear11sn ~ said n disanpointed nol.