The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-04-20
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, APRIL 30, 1889.

question all necessary power insure the re-devey of
horse or OK 1t would provide proceeding the lawyers
say IN REM similar process read of frequently occur
ring the slave states when unfortunate coored person
found aSray without certificate showing that he is
Now suppose state law does declare that SareS deemed
solo, tahe reuted and adjudged lar to be cha persona
IN Mehamd Of their one7S poors and their erectors ad
ambassadors and assigns to all inten constructions and ppo
whatsoever can this reduce them far below the cons
utional grade really make them what it calls them? Is
there not ppabe repugnance between the spirit of the
tuition and that of the state law which makes the latter void
The constitution is paramount and supreme the state law is
nudity, for processes egislae portion of its population
out the pale of humanity 1t deprves them all rights, and
yet exacts allegiance makes them chatels PERSONAL and
provides punishment for nacon by them the rules of
written law 1t violates the constitution and then nvokes the
protection of that instrument!
The construction commended for would be subveve OF
some OF the important and interests the constitution
designed secure For instance instead of ESTABLISHING Justice
1t Weren it, instead Of proong it destroys the general well
fare by postrang important principle which is based
and instead of securing the blessings of liberty it susans the
of slavery.
The constitution processes to furnish rules for the govern
ment of persons' not chaels" The clause in question is
about persons held to service or labor "Jy la ofthe
capmg from into another and of other persons
whom the services of the first persons due coming
and claiming them 1t would be absurd attempt appica
ton OF these provisions to chatels follows them that
slaves persons the constitution they be made
chates by state law but if by law they do become
chates, then the constitution has provisions which
brace them Thus dilemma is furnished with the usual
Der OF horns and our opponents at liberty to make their
lection.
g. 1t cannot be said if the clause in question does
brace slaves is useless and noperatvemeanng nothing
for does embrace not only the two classes of convcts before
described but the whole of children and apprentices
der age How any of these be reclaimed with success, a
ter having escaped from state into another should the OBJ
stace of state law have be encountered except by force of
this clause in the national constitutions Is there not them uf
hcen cause for this provision there never had been any
slaves in any of the states?
4 Another difficulty attends the southern construction, ars
ing from the restriction on the operation of the clause only
underline laws thereof Probably savehodng friends would
be somewhat startled the assertion that slaves not held By
l01o nevertheless, undoubtedly true They will deny
that rce fear the direct instruments which them
remain in their present condition. general rule Force and
fear also employed keep convc from leaving the penen
ares If these employed by the provisions of law law
which does upon FORM upon the basis justice
and the law of Gods them the persons whether slaves
vcts may be said be held by law But wanting this basis
the law has validity and bound by higher obga
ton, to disregard it. The laws intended justify slavery have
thousand times been proved to be immoral and void They
therefore, afford the shareholders and their accessories
Justcaon and slaves not being held By la but by force %
out la not embraced in this clause. The distinction will
be more apparent if consider the fact that the convict has
been deprived of liberty but not without process law
required by the seventh article of the amendments With The
slave is otherwise No inquiry by process of law has been
made IN relation to him. AS he born force was ap-
piled to him and this force made him slave That he is
slave, because born OF slave about rational to assert
that all children are females, because their mothers are
S. The clause further provides that the persons be
delivered up but only claim of the party to whom such
vice labor may be de How any party show that the
service of John Thomas is due" to him. when he has
better evidence han that he in his possession that he
paid of money for that possession that he born of
female whom he has a similar claim? Money service is
7ue from person to another, only by virtue of contract
express implied.
9. But this construction of the clause in question requires
violation of the law of God The slave has been proved be
lnusy held in bondage that therefore, he has right free
om In the under consideration he has obtained it. By
he moral law forbid aid in taking away this newly
cquired right But say the shareholders and their defenders
law of the United States based upon this clause in the cons
uon, requires this of We only reply, law of Con-
gress the constitution of the United States aogae
he law of God.
We take leave of avehodng fellow citizens by saying
Whether be right in the sight of God bearken unto yop
more than unto God judge ye."
The hevty which have found it necessary study, am
may weaken the force of my reasoning, but
ate to attempt any improvement
With much respect am, Sir,
Your friend and very humble servant
D. Nj. CAMP