The Christiana Rioters.

    Source citation
    "The Christiana Rioters," Charleston (SC) Mercury, February 16, 1852, p. 2.
    Original source
    Greenville (SC) Mountaineer
    Newspaper: Publication
    Charleston (SC) Mercury
    Newspaper: Headline
    The Christiana Rioters
    Newspaper: Page(s)
    2
    Type
    Newspaper
    Date Certainty
    Exact
    Transcriber
    Michael Blake
    Transcription date
    The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.

    The Christiana Rioters.

    The Trial of the abolition rioters for the outrage and murder of certain citizens of Maryland, at Christiana in Pennsylvania, whilst in pursuit of fugitive slaves, has ended in a farce, as every sensible Southern man knew would be the result.  The offenders have gone forth unpunished, all proceedings against them being abandoned.  And why? Simply because the murdered were Southern men in pursuit of their property; and the murderers were Northern Abolitionists and Free Soilers; and our Federal Government, its laws and the Constitution of the United States, are under abolition influence, exerted in its behalf, and to the degradation of the South.  In this farce, just over, we have another example of the "faithful executions" of the fugitive slave law.  Southern men are murdered in Northern States, and the aggressors go forth harmless and unscathed!  Here we have another beautiful commentary on the Compromise, and another illustration of the "blessings" of this "glorious Union!"

    The fugitive slave law was to the South, the only redeeming feature in that "adjustment," which robbed her of her territory, and interfered with her vital institutions.  For this one feature, some of the Southern States acquiesced in it, for the sake of peace, vainly hoping that it would be faithfully carried out.  But in what case has it been executed in good faith, of all the instances that have happened?  When, since its adoption, has a fugitive slave been recovered without great loss, danger, and dodging by the Federal officers from the interference of the people?  The law is contrary to moral feeling and sentiments of the Northern people, and never can nor will be faithfully executed.  Who now can believe that it ever will be?  But the "glorious Union" is to be the panacea for all such trifling ills - rob and murder our citizens - strip us of  our territories - sink us in slavery, but save the "glorious Union" and all will be well!

    If the people of the South will continue to bow in superstitious veneration, at the shrine of such a Union - a Union that plunders and tramples upon them, they must, when too late, see their folly and reap its bitter fruits. - Greenville Mountaineer.   

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