he Underground Rail Road, and was
a decided opponent of the Fugitive Slave Law; in short, that he believed
in freedom for all men, irrespective of race or color.

Castnor Hanaway was first to be tried; over him, therefore, the great
contest was to be made. For the defence of this particular case, the
abolitionists selected J.M. Read, Thaddeus Stevens, Joseph S. Lewis and
Theodore Cuyler, Esqs. On the side of the Fugitive Slave Law, and
against the "traitors," were U.S. District Attorney, John W. Ashmead,
Hon. James Cooper, James R. Ludlow, Esq., and Robert G. Brent, Attorney
General of Maryland. Mr. Brent was allowed to act as "overseer" in
conducting matters on the side of the Fugitive Slave Law. On this
infamous enactment, combined with a corrupted popular sentiment, the
pro-slavery side depended for success. The abolitionists viewed matters
in the light of freedom and humanity, and hopefully relied upon the
justice of their cause and the power of truth to overcome and swallow up
all the Pharaoh's rods of serpents as fast as they might be thrown down.

The prisoners having lain in their cells nearly three months, the time
for their trial arrived. Monday morning, November 24th, the contest
began. The first three days were occupied in procuring jurors. The
pro-slavery side desired none but such as believed in the Fugitive Slave
law and in "Treason" as expounded in the Judge's charge and the finding
of the Grand Jury.

The counsel for the "Traitors" carefully weighed the jurors, and when
found wanting challenged them; in so doing, they managed to get rid of
most all of that special class upon whom the prosecution depended for a
conviction. The jury having been sworn in, the battle commenced in good
earnest, and continued unabated for nearly two weeks. It is needless to
say, that the examinations and arguments would fill volumes, and were of
the most deeply interesting nature.

No attempt can here be made to recite the particulars of the trial other
than by a mere reference. It was, doubtless, the most important trial
that ever took place in this country relative to the Underground Rail
Road passengers, and in its results more good was brought out of evil
than can easily be estimated. The pro-slavery theories of treason were
utterly demolished, and not a particle of room was left the advocates of
the peculiar institution to hope, that slave-hunters in future, in quest
of fugitives, would be any more safe than Gorsuch.