Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-16

tuition and save II from the hands ur the |
spoiler.
Alarm and agitation of late, has mostly |
grown out Of the subject of slavery. The
provides in substance that if a
slave shall escape from his master into
another State, that he shall be given up
on claim and proof being made.
Whatever rights are secured to the slave.
holding States by this provision Of the con.
s,i.u.ion and law, should be strictly and In
good faith maintained, bu. IN enacling laws
for'this purpose, care should be taken that
the rights of other States, as we'll as indi-
viduals thereof, be- not infringed upon.
The law denominated the "Fugi.ive Slave
Law" has awakened much Of the present
excited feeling and action in the country
II is claimed first that it is in violation OF
the constitution Of the United States. Yet
it i. an enactment Of the supreme law.
making power Of the land, and forcible
resistance to its execution cannot be Justl'
fed without sustaining that practical law
| less violence which strikes at the tounda'
hon Of government. -........:.-
| If the law be unconstitutional, that ques.
tion must be settled by that tribunal which
| is provided to settle matters Of this kind
to whose decision as good citizens and as
luw.abiding people, we are bound TO sub
nit. .t...
This law, in its whole fabric, implies a
general dis,rust of the good fifth OF the
people Of the free States 10 abide by the
provisions of the compact under which we
exist rs government. Such dislrust,
which believe is without any real tounda'
ton, weakens the ligaments which binds
US together; and Of course strikes at the
founda.ion ofour government.
But the whole law, in all its provisions
cannot be considered in this document
Suffice it to say, that. it is objectionable,
| because it makes Slavery q national instead
of State institution, by requiring the
costs of reclaiming the slave, in some in'
stances, to be paid out Of the United States
Treasury; because it attempts 10 make ex'
parte testimony, taken in another jurisdic'
tion, final and conclusive in cases where
It's effect may be to enslave q man and his
posterity for all time, and commit the de.
cisi,n efthis question Of civil liberty to
officers not selected for their Judicial wis
, dom or experience; because i. attempts to
compel the citizens Of free States 10 MD in
arres ing and re.urning. 10 slavery The man
who is only fleeing for liberty. in the same
manner as they would righ.fully be bound
10 aid in arres,ihg man fleeing from jus
,ice, charged with the commission ofa high
crime and misdemeanor. -s. s--
Finally:. In relation to the mode Of trial,
and other particulars, the, law is contrary
10 the genius and spiri. Of our: free irsti:u.
tions, and therefore dangerous TO both
free and slave states, and consequently
ought to be amended or repealed. But q
forcible resistance to this or any other law,
is only rebellion. and is not the way to
procure the remedy. Let there be, gen.
erous confidence in all parts Of the nation,
each with the other; let the evils he plain.
ly laid d4bsfore the law-making power Of the
country; let arguments and reason, and
loveaof country, be the ruling principles,
and the constitution will prevail; lei q law
be passed, giving 10 the master bis cons,i.
tu,ionnl rights only, basedf upon common
principles Of evidence, adjudication md ex'
'ecu,ion; shus being censisien. with the spiri,
Of our free Institutions, and Il venture the
assertion that il will be fulfilled to the Let.
ter and spirit, in oil parts Of The Union.
and the country again settle down in har-
mony and peace. j. :.arai
Once more the interests Of the people
are committed TO your wisdom. And ngain
| would add my iervent supplica.ions to
the Supreme Ruler of the Universe that
His proyidential care may still be con,inu-
ed to the State, that virtue md the love of
country may be fixed in the breasts Of the
people, and their liberties be perpetual.
,'' - -'i.-'s' 5.. 'f aSEABURY FORD.