Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-19
IS MR.. BOvDEN A SOUTHERN REPRE-.
~tk#ss&s rs SEcNTsA FTvE; zA&s

niencee OF ConsntutI0fj " h.ch required the
surrender, on their part, of many defensive pow
ers and privileges rendered necessary, by
their peculiar institutions, not the least in i'm
portance in their estimation, was that. while
the proposed union would secure to them eli.
fcient protection abroad. its terms also express
ly guaranteed the preservation of their slave
property at home. There is no article in the
Constitution more clear than that by which
the slave-owners of the South are projected
from the consequences of vicinity to the free
States, and exposure to the Vaccinations of
border fanatics Section Q, of the " Article.
reads as follows: "No person held to service
or labour in one State under the laws thereof,
escaping into another, shall, in consequence Of
any law or regulation therein, be discharged
from such service or labour, but shall be de.
livered up on claim of the party TO whom
such service or labour may be due."-
Notwithstanding this, although we are
not informed that any Free State has
as yet passed any law or resolution
contravening the letter of the solemn compact
here recorded, it cannot be denied that some
late decisions in their State Courts, and the
proceedings of many recent public meetings of
their people, have had tendency 10 create
well founded apprehension on the part of the
Southern people, that the spirit OF the Consti-
tuition is intended 10 be evaded
OF such complexion, in particular. is a re-
cent resolution passed by the Legislature of
Pennsylvania, 10 the effect that it is the duty
of the State " 10 extend her protection to all
persons within her borders" AT the present
time nothing else can be meant than that
should ''any person held TO labor or service E"
i'll North Carolina, escape thither, the power
OF that State is to be invoked for their rescue.
The Legislature of Virginia, now in session,
justly indignant at the wanton violation of
Southern rights hereby implied, have now I'M
der consideration a resolution expressive of
the sense OF her people upon the subject;
and Mr.. Meale, member from Virginia,
having introduced a similar resolution in
Congress, 10 the same purport. and eUeru
member from the South, with some even of the
most virnlcnt Aboliionists. having voted in its
favor. will the people of North Carolina be.
more. will the constituents of the Hon. No
thaniel Boyden believe that has vots contrlbu-
ted to the result? When the whole South
were united, and not one from any other
Southern State could be found so shamefully
faithless TO his trust, we find Mr. Boyden, a
member from North Carolina, standing alone
in treachery and fa,hIessness. MIR. Boyden,
a Wing member from the End Congressional
District, we are informed by the official re-
ports, voted against the resolution
II behooves the people of North Carolina, in
the great crisis which is approaching, if it is not
already upon US, TO reflect well before they
again entrust their interests to one who has
shown, by conduct so extraordinary and mex
cusable, that his sense of duty is not equal to
his ambition. How can we expect to preserve
this institution, so dear TO US, if our re-
representatives. do not reflect our views and
wishes? Upon the question of slavery, and
the few poor guarantees of which even the
madness of faction cannot deprive US, there
should be but one voice-ihere should be but
one feelng-and both should be pledged to
their maintenance and integrity. We should
have been slow TO believe that any member
IRON North Carolina would have been the first
to contribute by his vote to their destruction;
bu, the official records, and the fact that he
stood alone, amidst the entire Southern dele
CATION, convinces US TO the contrary.
We rejoice that the great Democratic party,
in Congress and out of tin the State Legis-
latures and in the primary assemblies OF the
people all over the country-have ever mani
tested their fidelity TO the compromises OF the
constitution There is no shrinking among
them from the duties it imposes The Demo
Gratis Of the North have been hitherto true as
steel. If recently we have had the mortiica-
ton to witness some hesitation and want OF
6rmness among them, how can We complain
when our own votes in Congress, and the con-
duct of certain public men n. our otcn State,
belonging to the opposite party, so frequently
manifest a fatal Indifference, and even hostili-
ty, 10 measures calculated to awaken the peo-
pie, and declare to our Northern opponents the
position we occupy, and the course We mean
10 pursue, if driven by their folly TO manly
vindication Of our rights and property.
THE COUNTY COURT SYSTEM
We do NOT regret that the nronosition. re-