Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-01-21

To-day.
Elsewhere in this mornings LEADER viii
be found full report Of fugitive slave case
in Clevolaud--ths first that has occurred in
this city for nineteen years. The cOnsidera-
ton of this case involves serious results, aud
must be met with oalmness aud deliberatiOn-
Afer these many years Of Republican ser
vice, it is not needhll TO declare the convic-
ton of the LEADER that the Fugitive Slave
Law is unjust oppressive, infamous and un-
constitutional. Our past history has shown
our views too clearly for them to need any
new enunciatiou now. What we say, there
fore, upon this question, will not be misun-
dsrstoOd As any concession of principle or Of
faith, but as what We consider our duty TO
say in this crisis
This fugitive case is made, at this tune
and in this place, as test question. The
issue 70 be tried is whether the Fugitive
Slave Law can be enforced upon the West
ern Reserve, which Southerners declare "the
hOt-bed Of Abolidonism." A rescue from
the officers Of the law, would be trumpeted
through the length and breadth of the land.
Secessionists would seize upon it, as proof
that the North and the Republican party are
wilful nuIlifers Of the laws. The disuniOn
Asme would be famed with the assertion that
all the law-abiding declarations Of RePub-
licans were false and of no etecti and the
hopes Of all who yet look to s peaceful
Union, would be cast down by such an un-
timely move
On the other hand, should the people of
the city of cleveland, in the Western Reserve-
whose bitter hostility @ the system OF slave
~ is proYerbial, and whose every sympathy
is reused in favor Of the escaped bOndman-
if this people, by their acts to-day, proclaim
to the country and the W wjrld that they can
set aside their feelings and their sympathiesi
that they will submit to the power OF the
Federal Laws, eren though those laws be TO-
tally repugnant and unjust that they have
calm judgment which cutbalances all the
impulses Of the moment, and brings the lat
ter in subiection to the former, then the effect
Of the act Tor good at this particular crisis,
viii be ieltthrough all the country.
The people Of Ohio and the Western Re
serve are law-abiding people, uOtwithstand-
ing the ISLANDERS that have been poured upon
them. They hate and detest the Fugitive
Slave Law,with all the power OF their honest
souls; and yet, when it is clearly set before
them that they must submit for the time be-
ing, to that law, we believe they will do it
A strong feeling has been raised in favor
ofpurchasiDg the woman and setting her tree.
We know personally Of SIX iudividusls-fve
Republicans and one Bell and Everett man
who would willingly contribute to the amount
Of 5000, and we have no doubt enough might
be readily raised to make the purchase, if her
master would consent. This be viii not do.
He says be is determined TO test the question
and see if a fugitive can be reclaimed from
the Western Reserve. He viii not sell the
woman until she has been legally delivered
over to him, and taken to Virginia soil; then
he will sell her if desired, for $1,000.
It will thus be seen that the case must
come this morning before the Courts and
the Commissioner, and that being done, the
law must take its course. Most gladly would
we have it otherwise, but the only recourse
left to Us, is to exhaust all legal means Of
proving her freedom. If that fails, then we
must await the hour, when, with the legisla-
tive power in our hands, we can sweep the
infamous law from the statute books and
have no law that we cannot with clean
conscience obey.
Our eolored citizens are much excited over
the case, but we believe their good sense and
prudence viii prevent them from resisting
the action Of the law. They should remem-
Der that nothing viii be gained, but very
much lost, if they should unwisely attempt
rescue. Were they to attempt it, they would
be met By an overpOwering force that would
render hopeless the accomplishment Of their
purpose. No, colored citizens, do not un-
dertake such rash act but show 70 the
world that you are possessed Of noble quail
tiles which enable you to bear and forbear,
even under an unrighteOus law.
Rat we do not anticipate disturbance. We
have confidence in our citizens, white and
colOred, and we have, too, full confidence in
our Mayor, and in his ability to preserve
peace at this critical jqncture.