Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-05-24

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assist master, imposing high penalties
Oh such as should give active aid 10 the
owner in his efforts 10 apprehend his fIgi.
tive slave. |, seems that this bill did not
pass, upon the ground that Stale officers
had DO authority under. State laws. they
being dead letter; and that, therefore,
there was an implied inhibition on State
officers from interfering in such cases.
What remedy have the slaveholding
S ates now left, for The enforcement OF
their constitutional right 10 the delivery OF
their property, escaping into non -sIayeho'd-
ing communities. They have the parch-
ment guaranty Of The constitution, without
ability TO enforce il themselves, and with
the Ileslile legislation OF the nou-slavehold-
ing States 10 defeat them.
What now is left for The citizens of the
slaveholding States, as The available means
under the constitution, TO protect those
rights intended to be secured by it. Pub
lie opinion, The only great political agent
in a republic to sustain good faith, has
been turned against them uuder the forms
of law. The constitution, which, in he
The primitive days of the republic, was
supposed 10 have, in all that involved the
mutual duties of The States, The essential
elements Of sell-exccution, has neither
Stale nor federal law 10 sustain and
vinJicae its authority. The States
have Withdrawn their support, aud Con.
gress is inefficient in its legislation to sup.
ply il. A single clause of the ac of 1893
is all that is left, and is dead letter, SO far
as il regards the power Of giving it pracli-
cal efficacy. All that is left Of it is The
right 10 bring all action against those in
the non slaveholding States who may con-
ceal, or project from seizure, runaway
slave. The right to sue mob Of firrespon-
Sible persons, without the power OF pro-
curing witnesses, and before "a tribunal
administering j,slice in hostile commu,
nifty. Who would venture on such l,iga>
lion? The right of seizure and apprehen,
sion is conceded, bnl how 10 be executed
why, a, The risk of the owner'silife. The
proceedings which have given rise TO this
report, as we'll as similar and even Of more
aggravated character in other States, are
full evidence o. the truth of this remark.
The remedy may induce tile master to
place hihsolf in circumstances in which
ho would become The victim ofirresponsi.
ble insult and violence; or cause him, ,aby
his efforts 10 reclaim his propery;slo al.
ford some pretext for an aciion against
him, by which, under The form Of verdict,
his whole estate might be coifscaied to
appease the demands Of popular prejudice.
Let it not be said lha: lie could apply to-
AN United States marshal; before such an
officer could be procured, lualSescape
might be accomplished.
The opportunity TO apprehend . fagi.
tive is emergent, not waiting for The sdelly
Of distant, and perhaps rcluctanl officers.
But whatever remedy may be allowed
by the act of 1893, nominal an4 aiolTow as
ii is, twill moi remain long on hefsratute
book, ifil can borepealed by Tie influence
OF The non sIaYehoIding Stalce Already
has memorial come 10 Congress from a
large number ofthe citizens Of Ponnsylva.
MIA, praying for repeal OF tha law. Tia,
memorial has been referred ID your com
mitlec, and il is memorial asnamerous.
ly signed, probably as any olibr liIat has
ever come before Congress. These per-
SONS represent that the law ofthc Uuiled
States, imposing $500 fur wha is called
harhoring or concealins n savSis unjust
and ought 10 be repealed.
"lst. Because il is contrary d the spirit
and word of God.
"2l. Because the law is Intended 10
prop up system which makeSF il crimi
nal 10 leach Gods creatures hisholy word,
1epraves the master and the Save, aud is
The fruitful source Of great evih, both reIi-
gious and political"
Your committee will moi Undertake 10
soy that The law Of 1903 will, fpen by any
amendments that can be made TO il, have
my great remedial influence iigiving the
owner The protection he is ond!led to un-
Ter the constitutions The assault upon it
S, however, significant indiciiion of the
progress ofpub!ic opinion. Iris making
Is advances with crushing effects. /. is
n vain to appeal 10 compac,s aud cons,i-
ulional provisions to arrest il.
The sIavehnldins States me hound in
he Union. and are willing ldperforin all
heir dulles under il.
They have KEEP, in good faith all that
hey promised.
They have moi allowed theimportation
# slaves since 1918.
They have given 10 their NorIhem fol-
ow. citizens Of the Uniuu Ihe benefits
f their trade anc commerce.
They have yielded In then The almost
xclusivo benefit of The ravisilion interest
+ lhe Union, under laws for id protection.
And they have CO operated " ilh them
n all that has been demanded or the com. T.
non prosperity and welfare oi The confed-
racy, and have faithfully fulfilled all the
hlisatons imposed upon lhemby the con-
liIulion. as be equal confederites.
They have a high duty ,kvolving on
lcm: 10 require in somo cerhin manner,
lie oiIler parties to do juslc. TO The rev
uremenls Of constitutional ubIieaiions.-
IS much as Congress can do.,hey have a
gut to suppose will DO dine towards
maintaining tho common rights and
aims Of The parties to The kderal COM
act.
Your committee have not i'm plicit con- i
lence in the efficacy of the snly measure
hich they have venlured 10 propose, and