The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-08-01
V o l.. VI. NO. G.

In any jail or other building, belonging
TO this State, or 10 any county, town. civ,
or person therein. OF any person for the
reason that he is or may be claimed as a
fugitive slave
Sec. 8. No sheriff, deputy sheriff.
high bailf, constable, or other officer or
citizen of this state, shall transport, or re-
move, or aid or assist in the transportation
or removal of any fugitive slave, or anv
person Claimed as such, from any place
IN thus state to any other place within or
without the same.
Sec. a. lfany such judge, Justice of
'ne peace magistrate, officer or citizen,
shall offend against the Two preceding
sections, such Judge justice of the peace,
magistrate, officer or citizen, shall be sub.
Ject TO the penalties provided in section
five of this act. ''"
Sec. s. Any judge of any court of
record IN this slate, any Justice flhe peace
or other magistrate, any sheriff, or denutv
sheriff. high balif, constable, or iaiIer, or
any citizen of this state, who shall off end
against the provision oflhis act, BY acting
directly or indirectly under the provisions
aforesaid, OF Section three OF the act of
congress shall forfeit a sum not exceed
ing one thousand dollars, 10 The use of tbe
state to be recovered upon information or
In dictment or be imprisoned in The stale
prison not exceeding five years.
ljudge from the foregoing that you con,
sldered the aiding 10 return person claim,
ed as fugitive from slavery, criminal
act-so much so that he who would Tins
and, would be worthy place in the States
Prison five years for each offence; certainly
unless be could raise the thousand dollars.
Well, suppose Henry Clay should call far
MS tllty slaves that had escaped into this
Slate, and fifty men should aid him in re,
covering them, would not Clay be lust as
gully on receiving each slave. as each man
would In returning one slave? [ will iust
quote section of your laws respecting stol-
en- property. Chapter 75 section 7 Reyis.
ed Statutes, page 43O, reads as follows
Every person, wh0shall receive or aid il
the concealmenl of any stolen money. goods
or property, knowing The same to have been
stolen, shall be punished by imprisopmen.
III Inc stale Prison, not more than ten wears,
or Dy hne not exceeding five hundred dol
lars BY fair inference, from the law,
enacted by you last fall, and now quoted.
all now held as slaves have both a natural
and moral right 10 their freedom, and if thew
can but come into this Stale YOU vjr,uallv
say they are enlnled 10 it legally. AsIun.
ders'and II, this was The principle on which
you BASED that law. II this is correct. and
you are justified in imposing so heavy
penalty on those who should aid in relurn.
ing The escaping fugitive, and if your law.
imposing so severe penalty on those who
'ece'oe property taken without the consent
Oh The owner, is also based on right princi-
ples' see not why Henry Clay should not
hand over the fifty thousand dollars, or he
imprisoned, say two hundred and fifty wears
Is this lair application of principle ? If
any Wing or Democratic lawyer thinks he
can get around II he may have suitable suace
IN this paper The United States Laws
Iermlng The Foreign slave trade piy acvs and
The penalty TO the perpetrators of it. DEATH
are approved by you. Just apply section 7,
chapter 80 as quoted, and see what honor
would be due your Presidential candidate
ANY man of sense knows that two persons
cannot each be the sole owner of any thing:
ind II those who are held by Mr. CLAW as
slaves, have moral right TO themselves. the
list cannot have ii to Them | have occu.
'led much space in endeayoring to illus
fa'e the claim of Wings to the SUPPORT Of
'ooll'lonists IN electng Henry Clay 10 the
l'so ofhce oil President of the United States,
ma nave come 10 The conclusion that it de-
'oiVes ON them to show that moral obliga-
ION changes with mans location, or con.
ess that they have committed most eyre.
'ious olunder in enacting and letting stand,
m the statute book of this State, such laws
IS Inlet penalties for breaches of the Sab.
gambling-dueling, and aiding to
e'urn iugltlves from slavery or acknowl.
dse that their candidate for President is
Unworthy the support Of all moral men,
GU have got yourselves into that 'fx,' and
you say, lei the laws of Vermont stand.
rust many OF you will come over TO tho SIM.
ort oil man who is gully Of none OF the
rmes proved against your candidate. As
The idea that the defea, of Mr. CLAY would
lsure the annexation of Texas, Gao see
o good reason 10 believe it. For, if the
lection OF Polk would seem to favor annex.
'ion' the defeat of Clay in consequence {
ne increase Of opposition to supporting
iaVeholders would more than balance the
rSt. And Mhila n rl.,-nl;L..