, 1860-03-09
39resa & TriibttttG,


Il
While this city has for ten days past been
torn by the most profound political excitement
known in its history-the question Of Slavery
being that upon which the parties were divided
"A trial Of ono Of the purest aud most esd-
mable men in the Stlte for an offence against
the Fugitive Stare Law, containing atrocious
provisions which NIL Northern men hate, has
been going on within stones throw Of tho
very focus Of tho political agitation. And in
the hour Of Republican triumph, while an i'm
1nense procession Of the members Of the Re-
publican party was rarading the streets, bear
ing aloft the bnnners and other insiguia Of
decisive party triumph, and shouting with
heartfelt exultation over the overthrow Of
pro- Slavery organization that citizen, whose
technical crime wns the outgrowth Of motives
which Heaven smiles upon, was found guilty
By a jury upon which sat a majority Of Repub-
ican men! As the procession passed the
Courtroom door in which JouS uossAcK WIS
on trial, the blarc Of its trumpets and the tri-
uuphaut cries Of its thousands, temporarily
silenced the pleadings Of counsel By their din.
With such provoc.tion before them, flushed
with victory which had taught them their
unconquerable strength, stirred to the lowest
depths Of endurance by tho Illegal and dis
reputable tactics Of tue enemy-did this crowd
OF Republicans propose 10 initiate the CT
ample Of the Soutl-:ake upon themselves
the administration Of the law-lynch The
claimant Of tic human cliattcl for assisting in
whose escape Hossack was condcmned-set
at defiance the tribunal before Which the pris-
oner was asraigued and take him out Of the
conduct declare! As the word was passed
along the lipe,-" There's where man is being
tried tor for helping OFT that Ottawa slave!"
did any one see any manifestation Of mob-law,
any disposition to interfere with the proceed
ings Of tho Court?' Democrats, you who
sneer ut the Republicans as families and trail
tors: answer! Tell us how any man, pursu-
ing in the South line Of conduct us offensive
to Southern sentiment as is this niggcr-catcll-
Ing business to the heart and conscience Of tue
people Of the North, would have Jared? What
force Of armed men would hare been necessa'
~ to hayc kept his neck out Of the batter
which tue chivalrous mob would have persist
el in using without a moment for the laws de-
my? What Judge could. with only half .
dozen Deputy Aarshal's about him, hayo cx
ercised the power which the law rcposes il
his bands? What cries for mercy, what pre-
sumption Of innocence what care for righ
would hive saved that unfortunate prisoner
The accounts from the South with wl,icl, til
newspapers have 1ate]y been filled, Of North
ern man tarred and feat!'ercd for tie express
sion ofan opinion contrary to the belief in til
divine origin Of Slavery; OF Northern me-
driven off for no crime except m attempt I
collect an honest dclt; Of Northern schot
teachers, mule and female. compelled to abar
don situations because they werc sHspec
leave us no room to doubt what would hay
been that prisoners fate.
Northern men do no, love the Fugitive s'av
Law. Even Northern Democrats, except thos
Of tho "dirty-work Logan stamp, profess
1oathe and abhor its unnecessary severity gu
barbarian. But that it can lie here execute
upon citizen Of irrcproachable good nam
without popular disturbance, even ut tt
hcighth Of an unprecedented political excit
ment, is evidence that, in spite Of the r
proaches and accusations Of the enemy, Il
people Of this city havc no desire except til
which looks to maintenance Of tho supremat
Of the existing statutes, until such time MS the
can be 50 modified as 20 quit tie civilization
the age. TIE commend the example whie
Chicago las set, to tho cnivalry Of the Scut
with tue more confidence because ihere is th
in it which il faithfully copied would mai
them better citizens and better men.