Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-04-26
LawIsssness in the Free states.

Several instances have recently occurred IN the
so-caed free States illustrative Of the disregard
Of law and contempt for legal and Judicial author
ity which are rapidly becoming the characteristics
of those who embrace the political ethics Of SEW
ARD and GREELEY and their co-workeIs; remark
ing on which the New Orleans Delta truly says
the doctrine first enunciated by SEwARD-Of the
higher law-begins to produce its legitimate fruits
in the characterization Of the people-in impu-
dent attempts'to set up the crude and false ideas
and fanatcism Of the day, and Of particular local
tiles against the requirements Of the Constitution
and law, and the authority Of the lawful magls-
strates of the country. This disloyalty does
not content itself with opposition to, and trustra-
ton Of the mandates Of the Federal Government
alone That has been the rule for years past in GER
tain sections By fraud and violence the Federal
jurisdiction has in the great majority Of cases
been set at naught, not by the people alone, but
by legislatures and judges. When the high au-
thortes Of the State thus lead off in this course Of
resistance to their superiOrs, it is not surprising
that the people follow their example, by resist
ing the orders and jurisdiction of their own agents
and officials.
The Governor Of Ohio recently evaded, in Almost
shameful and fraudulent manner, the demand Of the
Governor of Virginia, for the surrender Of one Of
the conspirators in the Harpers Ferry outrage. He
and the people Of a portion Of the State are even
now banded together to defeat the attempt Of the
Senate Of the United States to attach and bring be-
fore them a witness or witnesses whose testimony
IS REQUIRED before committee of that body. The
oficer'sent by the Senate to Ashtabula was driven
out and defied and the Governor would give him
no aid The younger BROWN, REDPATH, and others
Of that rufian band hold meetings, and make
speeches in the most public manner, daring the ed
era officials to attempt their arrest and threatening
to murder and overcome any posse conlitatus that
NAV be called out against them. And the United
States Marshal for Ohio reports his inability to exc
cute the process Of the Senate andit is clear that it
cannot be done unless he be backed by strong
armed force.
The Governor of Iowa adopted most disgrace
full bubble to evade the performance Of plain
duty imposed upon him by the law, in refusing to
deliver CoPr1C, another Of the Harpers Ferry con-
spirators. upon the requisiton Of the Governor of
Virginia and thus enabled the culprt to escape INTO
Canada before a second requisition could be made.
Massachusetts, too as the Delta remarks affords a
like Illustration of this prevalent lawlessness in the
case of SANBoEy, who, with the aid Of mob, sue
cessfully resisted the service Of like process TO
testify before the Senate. His conduct therein has
been loudly applauded by the people. This act Of
violence and lawlessness has been adopted and
justified by the representatives of Massachusetts IN
the United States Senate.
1t is thus made apparent that in the States Of
Massachusetts and Ohio, the Federal Government is
utterly incapable of maintaining its authority, eX-
cept at the point of the bayonet. The people Of
those States claim all the advantages Of the Union,
without rendering any obedience or loyalty to its
mandates They are in the Union as long as its re-
quirements square with their interests, their pas
sions and fanaticsms they out Of itwhen their
higher law comes IN conflict with its demands.
The Della pointedly remarked that this is what is
called the freedom, enlightenment and sound public
opinion which the abolition of slavery can alone as
sure to the South,