Year: 1859

JEFFERSON, May a. 1859


Ny DEAR FRIEND You ask my opin
ion in regard to the past action, and the
future course of the Oberlin prisoners, now
in Jail at Cleveland for violating the fugi-
tive slave enactment.


That measure was passed under the in
1uence of threats and intimidation. Dis
union and bloodshed were proclaimed as the
alternative in case of refusal. Before such
insolence Northern members bowed in un-
manly submission, surrendering their own
individuality, the rights of their states, and
the honor of the nation. The page of our
political history that records the passage of
that act will long be read with modification
and regret.


This slave enactment was passed by a
LocOfoco Congress. A Locofoco Marshal
selects LOcofoco Grand Jury to 6nd an
indictment drawn by Locofoeo Attorney,
To be tried by q Locofoco traverse jury,
packed for the very purpose of conviction,
before a Locofoco Judge, appointed by a
Locofoco, President, confirmed by Loco
foco Seeate, for the purpose of enforcing
obedience to this law.


In disregarding this law, the prisoners
did right Their error consisted in sparing
the lives of the slave-catchers. Those pi-
rates should have been delivered over to the
colored men and consigned to the doom of
pirates, which should have been speedily
executed. You are aware that this is the
doctrine which | proclaimed in Congress.
| adhere to it. Had the prisoners execu-
ted the slaye-catchers promptly, it would
hova tonUht tho odministro tiop n Ia,eon ,,ot
soon to be forgotten. We should have
been no more troubled with that class of
miscreants They would have learned bet
ter than to show themselves among an in
telligent people who know their rights and
dare maintain them. But in rescuing their
fellow man from the fangs of these blood
hounds, the prisoners did right. Present
aud coming generations will bless them for
it. 1t was a high moral duty, the exercise
Of virtue which sheds a halo of glory
around the memories Of our republican
fathers. When arrested for such an act
they did we'll in refusing to give bail /:
When brought into Court they did right in
refusing to give bail and in my opinion
they cannot now recede from the manly po-
sition which they have assumed. By these
noble acts they have inscribed their names
upon most important page of our history
They no longer act for themselves in this
business, but for justice, for liberty, for the
cause of freedom, The eyes of the nation
are upon them. They should bear in mind
the character Of the people of this portion
of our gallant State {: They should re
member the pilgrim fathers from whom
they have descended Cleveland is now
the Boston of It's, and trust her sons
will meet the responsibilities thrown upon
them with becoming frmness.


As to the future, see no other course
for the prisoners than patiently to await
events. Their counsel will apply to the
! Supreme Court of our State for a habeas
corpus whenever sentence shall be pro-
nounced upon any of their number.
! have great confidence in the Judges
composing that Court But should they
prove unequal to the occasion, the case will
then be fully made up, and the appeal must
then be taken to that highest of earthly
tribunals, the source of all political power
The people finding this government to have
become 'destriSctire of the lires, the ibcrtis.
and the happiness Of It's citizens, will ALTER
OR ABOLISH IT and organize It's poi0ers in
such form as to them shall seem mast likely ia
effect their safety and happiness"


This duty so solemnly enjoined upon US
by the founders Of our government, in that
immortal charter of American liberty to
which for almost century we have been
accustomed to look for instruction aud di
rection in regard to our rights, lciu not b
neglected.


Yours for liberty aud the Constitution,


j. r. GIDDINGs
! Hon RA1pu PtuN,a