Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-12-19
Remarks of Rev. George Gordon
10 the u. 9. Court.

DeIOW We puOIlSu tH6 TctDarkS 10 Lu6 "
S. Court of Rev. George Gordon, Princi-
pal of the Iberia College, who was tried fol
constructing the process" of the Fugitive
Slave Law in that place. Mr.. Gordon was
convicted and sentenced 20 fine of $500
and six months Imprisonment in Cleveland
Jail! That be does not respect and will
not obey the Fugitive Slave law, Mr.. G..
frankly admits, but the severity of the
sentence is beyond all reason. 1t is a
pure act of cruelty and vindictiveuess upon
the part of the presiding Judge, for it rest
ed with him to determine the amount of
fine and Imprisonment. He could as well,
so far as compliance with law is concerned,
have. given Mr. Gordon tweniy-four hours
as six months confinement. AT a time
when the life of the country is assailed by
the slave power, the people are not ready
to look with leniency upon any servile and
extra judicial bowing down to worship the
god Of slavery:
Your Honor: Some things in my stu
alton would seem to commend silence
The form of trial has been passed-my
counsel has been heard in defence of
marked abi!ity-a verdict of guilty has
been brought in by the jury. Nothing,
therefore, remains for me but to receive
my sentence and endure it to the bitter
end. l cannot say anything that will
modify or mitigate its severity. Yet l
stand before the court in the full conf
dence of rectitude, without any sense Of
guilt or abasement. / utter no apologies,
make no confessions. Why, then do /
stand branded as criminal before the
court, and yet enjoy feelings of innate rec
titude? Two reasons contain the answer.
First the principal witness in this prosecu-
ton has given a testimony in some points
utterly false, in others immensely exaggera-
ted. This put me in false position before
the jury. Had l received new trial, as
was requested, much of this false impr ess-
ion could have been removed. rhe second
reason is, that my conduct was guided by
the express will of God as revealed in the
Scriptures, standard clearly opposed to
the fugitive slave entertainments, and not
recognized by this tribunal.
The two slave hunters were neither
threatened with hanging, or shooting, or
if they were, never heard of it, till testi-
fed by them. in court. The statement is
q mere fabrication-even the raw material
manufactured. My arrival on The ground
was not ten minutes before the whole thing
was over. One of our colored young men
had twice been shot at, and wounded by
them, or part Of, their company. One
claimed as slave had been seized and vio-
lenty dragged away. Under all this prov
ocation the company acted. When ar
rived, | was told they had received a few
stripes. Some ten or fifteen more were
laid on, whilst was present, and with my
consent. The men begged forbearance,
and the matter ceased. l handed no one
stick with directions TO lay on more
told no one to suppress my name-struek
no one myself-nor did | administer on
oath to any. | did stand by with con-
sent willis, ten, perhaps fifteen lashes were
laid on. did not know whether they
were shareholders, marshals, deputies or
assistants, and it is but candid 10 say, l
did not care. Then told one of them that
the chastisement be had received had been
inflicted BY some Of the best men in the
community, men Who wonld not hurt
hair Of his head, but protect him TO the ful-
lest extent, in any business. But the slave
catching We could not tolerate. his reply
was, '.this will be lesson to me. l knew
il was mean business when ! went into
i, but thought ] could not well help IL
l will 60 home and resign my office, and
never do so again" Had consented 70
one-half the severity, or been capable of
cousenting to il, as testified by the deputy
l would despise myself and merit the rep
rotation of all good men. Neither the