Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-01-09

''llver up fngtives from justice charged
with the crime Of violating the rights
''of property in slares This State must
therefore protect by its own authority,
''the rights of its citizens in slave prop.
''erty, against the disposition of the peo-
''ple of Maine TO violate them. Fol- this
purpose you will be justified in drclar-
ling by law, that all citizens Of Maine
"who may come within the jurisdiction
"of this State, an board of any vessel.
"as owners, officers, or marines, shall
''be considered as doing SD with the in
tent to commit the crime of seducing
"negro slaves from their owners and be
"dealt with accordingly by the officers OF
'jns,ice."
Coming to US in less official char.
acter, but few | think, would regard
this proposition as serious. Be that how
ever, as it may, if there was the least
probability that such measure could
succeed in the Legislature of Georgia,
some counter action on our part might
be necessary. But | am sure it cannot
prevail, The proposition SO clearly vi
olates the constitution Of the United
States, and is so subversive, not only al
the plainest principles of law, but Of
common sense and common justice, that
the intelligen, Legislature of that distin-
guished aud gallant State will never sane
ton it. The late Governor of Georgia
and my predecessors, though not agreeing
in their construction Of the Constitution in
regard to the relative rights and obiga-
tons of the States, yet differ, principally,
upon question Of lact,to wit, whether the
persons demanded were or were not (lI
g'tives from jnsice. For the decision Of
this question the Constitution has establish
ed no tribunal; and Maine, in claiming an
equ0! right with Georgia, TO examine and
determine it, believes that she is not only
not violating the Constitution, but is pant
ing herself upon the great doctrine OF State
rights. Upon question Of this sort then,
where there is found to exist an honest
difference of opinion, surely it would be
worse than folly to array the citizens ofthe
respective States in hostile attitude, and to
regard large classes Of the citizens, in1is-
srr1inately, Of our otaie,a az only bent Oh
the commission Of crime when ene,,ng tie
territory of the otter There is no reason
why Maine and Georgia, though widely
separated upon the map of the country.
should not be nearly allied in mutual res
pect, interest and kind Offices The state
Of public feeling IN Maine has been entire
" misconceived by the late G vernon of
Georgia. lfthere are any among us who
are disposed to interfere with the domes-
tic institutions Of Georgia or any other
State, in violation of law, or who are dis
posed to obs;ruc, the public authorities in
the strctest pei formance Of the consttu-
tional obligation to deliver up fugitives from
justice, be the offence what it may, the
number is extremely limited. ] an per-
suaded that the present apparent feeling in
our sister State will soon yield to juster
views; and that no root of bitterness will
be permitted to spring up between the two
States. tending permanently to effect the
peaceful and friendly relations that ought
ever to subsst between The different mem
bers of our great coniederacy. and which.
am cofdent, the cl,izens Of thir State
are disposed assiduousIy and sincerely to
cultivate.
| shall communicate with you further,
by special message, As circumstances may
require during the progress of the session
"a session, which hope may prove to be
both pleasant to yourselves. and abundant
" promotiva Of the best interests Of the
State. JOHN FAIRFIELD.
CouvcIL CHAMBER,
Jan. 8. 1910.