The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-01-27

ing from the New Hampshire Patriot.
"FUeITIvEs FROM JUsTIcE.-WeS pub
lish this week the able report and resolu'
tions, to which we alluded last week, Of
the committee on the judiciary in regard
TO tine right of State to demand, and the
duty of the State, upon which the demand
is made, TO surrender tugitiues from Jus.
tice. The report and resolutions were
prepared by Mr.. Baker, the Chairman OF
the Committee.
"The questions in dispute between
Georgia and Maine, and Virginia and New
York are simply questions Of the construc-
ton of the constitution as to the rights
and obligations of the respective parties
and derive all their difficulty from a re-
mote connection with other things rather
than from any want of plainness 1.-The pro-
visions of the constitution and laws of the
United States. These provide in terms
too explicit to be evaded, that person,
charged with "treason, felony, or other
crime" shall, on delnapd made, be deliv.
cred up to be removed to the State in which
the crime is charged to have been commit
ted, and which has jurisdiction of the
same." If the position assumed by the
Executive Of New York and that of Maine
can be sustained, then the constitution in
this respect, and in analogous cases, touch
ing the intercourse between the States is
a perfect nulity. The argument of the
Governor Of New York, urged in justifica-
ton of his refusal to comply with the de-
mand of Virginia, goes upon the ground,
that he is to Judge whether certain acts
constitute crime and whether a crime
has been committed, and would to all in
tents and purposes constitute him both
court and jury in the case. He refuses 10
surrender, because, as he alleges, that
which is charged as crime in Virginia,
is not so by the laws of New York. But
the late law Of New York, passed as late
as May, 1s40, recognizes slaDe as pro-
perty, and consequently as the subject of
theft; and can it be permitted to say, in
the teeth of law Of his own State, that
stealing slave in Virginia is not crime?
The question, whether property can be
rightfully holden in slave is decided for
The people of the North by the constitution
10 the extent of our political relations with
the south, and from this decision there
can be no appeal, SO long as the Union
asls. The constitution furnishes the mea-
sure Of the respective rights and obliga-
ions of Inc several States, and it does
seem that the Governor of New York is
most clearly wrong.
"lt is not for any one or more States to
say, that those acts, which other States
lcem it necessary for the protection OF
heir citizens to make criminal. are not
criminal, because The laws OF the former
10 not declare them so.
It is asked must an innocent person be-
given up to be carried to distant State
for trial! 1t certainly operates hard in
The case of an innocent individual, but who
is to Judge of the guilt or innocence? Is
the Executive authority of the State to ar
rogs,e to itself the power to define what
shall be crime in another State, and to
pass upon the fact of its commissioning
effect, to assume the powers and duties oil
courts and jnries in the State where the
crime is alledged to have been Perpetrated!
There is no hardship in trying person by
hose laws which he is alledged 10 have
wilfully violated, and in the State where
he offence was committed. We know
hat it is strongly urged to be unjust, that
! citizen of Maine should be carried to
Geor gia to be tried for what is not an Of
fence against the laws of Maine, and all
argument is founded upon the supPosition
hat Georgia or any other State might
make light and trivial things criminal by
Is legislation and provide severe and cruel
ounishments for the same. In such cases
{ is contended, that it would be inhuman
% deliver up person to be tried by such
avs. But is there any force in this rea-
,oning with reference TO the controversies,
which now unfortunately exist! 1t must
start with the ground, that we are associa-
ed with barbarous, unfeellng, savage Peo-
Die, whose laws arc wicked, and whose
courts and iuries are corrupt and regard
ess of right and justice. Then the fault
les with US in forming such a compact
With people of this character, and we
should not dissolve the compact by piece
neal, but proclaim full dissolution of the
Jnion.''
Another republican State has taken up
he question of Southern rights. Resolu-
ions of decided character were submit.
ed on the 18Th inst. to the Senate of Ala
,ama, denouncing the late law Of N. York