The New York herald., 1850-12-11


publish in another part of to-day's paper, a copy
Of law recently passed BY the Legislature Of the
State of Vermont, which shows the sad results 70
which fanaticism leads, and the deplorable and
pitiable condition TO which men who devote them
selves to but one idea, sometimes reduce them
selves. This law has been passed ostensiby for
the purpose of aiding and assisting fugitive slaves
in the maintenance of their rights; but the real
motive Of those who drafted, passed, and approved
of it, cannot be mistaken. The only object, we
are satisfied, which the Legislature had in view
in passing it-unnecessary as we all know it
is, even were il not unconstitu,ionalwas to annoy
The South, and to prevent any reconciliation
between the two sections of the country.
We have, therefore, no hesitation IN terming
it contemplate, abominable and reasonable pro-
ceeding--one which ought to consign to eternal g-
nominy and disgrace, all who took part in it, Thi,
is plain language, but we are not in the humor of
choosing our words; when we see the Legislature
of a sovereign State descend to such petty and
despicable course of action as the Legislature of
Vermont has in this instance.
This law thus passed by the Legislature of Yer
mont-extends the benefit of the writ of habeas cor
fus to fugitive slaves. 1t makes it the duty of the
several district torneys to use all lawful (Dmeans
to protect, defend, and procure to be discharged,
every person arrested as fugitive slave; it autho.
rzes the issuing of writ of ha6eas corpus in every
case where fugitive is arrested; it makes it the
duty of ell judicial and executive officers who
know or may have good reason to believe that any
fugitive slave is about to be arrested give notice
to the district attorneys of the fact; it provides
that it, the first hearing the writ fhabeas COR
pus, the fugitive, snot discharged, he shall have the
right of appeal, and on the second trial. the Court
before whom takes place shall, on the demand of
either party, direct trial by jury This is the sub
stance of this abominable and unconstitutional law
"a law which we pronounce, under the crcum-
stances, and with the motives with which il was
passed, blot on the statute book of Vermont, and
disgrace to that State.
There caonot be the slightest doubt of the object
and intention of the trainers Of this law. The Legis-
lature could bave but oRe motive in passing it, and
that is tc nufy as far practicable, the Fugitive
Slave bill passed at the last session of Congress,
and 10 goad and annoy our Southern felow-citi-
zens. Neither was there any necessity for its pas
sage: for it is well known that there are but few If
any fugitive slaves in Vermont, the bleak and in
hospitable climate of tha. State rendering it unfit
almost for the habitatIon of white people, to say
nothing of blacks who have been born and reared
under Southern sun. Bat, if there are any fugi.
tives in Vermont, we do sincerely hope that their
owners will take immediate measures for their re-
covery, if for nothing else than to tes, this la and
TO prove 10 lhose Northern fanatics, that as
long as they are a part of this conlederacy,
insignificant az that part is, they shall not
with impunity throw mrediments in the way
of the execution Of the laws passed by the
congress OF the country, for the bent fit of the coun-
try We should like to see the Fugitive Slave bill
tested in that State, and in case any opposition
were made TO executing its provisions the letter,
we should not regret if all who opposed il were
reduced TO sense of their disregard of superior
law AMI Pightedf aith, Or il that were impossible,
OF which there is every probability, to see them
properly punished-and, if necessary, shot down
or strung up by the neck as traitors. 1t Is not i'm
probable that II will be necessary to resort to such
harsh measures, and We hope, If occasion requires
II, such course of proceeding will be adopted to-
wards those incendiaries and incpient traitors to
the country. From what we have seen of Mr..
Fillmore, we believe that he will not hesitate to
carry the Fugitive Slave bill, like any other law of
the United States, into effect when nece ssary and
in doing so, in any State, and more especially in
Vermont, we are satisfied he would be backed and
supported by ninc.tenths of the people. A pretty
State ofthings, surely, we have reached, when a
single State undertakes TO practically nulfy law
of Congress! We beg of the South TO keep quiet
and allow the North to manage the fanatics which
infest and disgrace 1t. They may rest satisfied
that the Fugitive Slave law will be carried out,
even il the sacrifice of thousand lives be the con-
sequence. Let the North and the South mark
what we say.
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