The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-02
The Fugitive slave Law.

The Fugitive slave Law.
10 the Editor If the Republic:
Your leading editorial in the Republic of the Goth
instant il fraught with wholesome truth. Would
that it could penetrate every cottage of the North.
and arouse the people to a of their duty and
their danger! You rightly represent the Fugitive
Slave bill az the true issue between the friends and
enemies Of the Union. Whatever be his profes-
sions, that is practically foe to the Govern
msnt who seeks to effect the repeal notification
Of that conservative measure. Upon this question,
if people united, the people of the
South are now. That measure has been adopted
for the purpose of complying with plain requisi-
ton of our fundamental law. We have the au-
thority of the most enlightened judges and states
Of the North, that the right OF retaining our
fugitive slaves was incorporated III the Constitu-
ton as the sine qua non of southern acquiescence
in the present Union of the States The late act of
Congress is tardy discharge of constitutional
duty and the only substantial objection TO it is
based upon the fear that its stringent provisions
forbid evasion. We have long complained, and
Justly complained, that our constitutional rights
were outraged and we have sooner secured
statute to vindicate them than the cry Of repeal ID
raised from thousand voices, and echoed and re-
echoed from the lakes of the far-d distant west to the
ocean washed shores of New England. No won
been ever devoted to this Union-who have ever
endeavored to stem the torrent of sectional dsaf-
lection by disseminating among our southern
brethren our own convictions that the mass of our
northern fellow-citzens were yet true TO our con-
stiutional guarantees, able and willing to concede
to our undoubted rights-should be staggered at
recent developments. We never have advocated,
and, 30 long revolutionary blood still courses in
our veins, never will advocate, continuance in
Union and fidelity 10 Constitution which exacts
contribution and obedience from US, but fails to
secure for US the rights for which, in the moot
solemn manner, its faith is pledged. OF such ia
tuity and servility let northern brethren be as
sured cannot be guilty. The repeal OF this
law, or its modification as to render it inopcra-
tive, will be solemn reputation OF covenanted
faith-its successful resistance will evidence gov
crnment impotent for our protection, unworthy OF
homage support. Let the people OF the North,
then, be not deceived. Let them not madly expert
ment upon the stability Of institutions. There is
at this time a large and growing party, extending
through every State south of the Potomac, clamor-
GUS for immediate disunon. In its ranks are al
ready found not a few of our best, our wisest and
our caImest citizens. Repeal nullify this law,
and that party in It's ample folds will embrace eve
ry native, aye, we believe, every adopted south
ron. Be assured from the history of the past that
a southern shines not upon the craven race
who will seek or tolerate political association with
a people, however time honored the ties which bind
them, who WELD the power of a common govern
ment only to impose them its burdens.
My object, Mr.. Editor, is to second your own
patriotic efforts to arouse the true of the North
to due sense of the responsibility now resting on
them. A a southern man, about the state OF
southern feeling, and the unanimity of southern
determination upon this subject, speak that
know. and testify hat have seem" The dest-
MES of this country hang upon the hrmness and
resolution of its northern friends We OF the South,
in this matter, can do nothing. We cannot coun-
sel-we cannot acquiesce in-the surrender of
constitutional right which, when far less valuable,
was deemed SO all essential by our ancestors.
Every thing, then, depends upon the patriots of
the North. AZ who shares with them deep
and an abiding attachment to the Union of
fathers, we would invoke them to awake to the
crisis Be We up and doing. Inaction and indit-
ference upon your part is pering your and our
dearest interests II will be too late amid the
smouidering relics of " once glorious Union
amid the clangor of resounding arms, with the
stains of faternal blood around you and about you,
to raise your warning voice and patriotic expostu-
lations against a mad fanaticism. That man must
be lost all the finer impulses OF his naturerecre-
ant to all the obligations of the parent to the child
who will shrink with coward baseness from resPon-
sibility and duty, when that selfish shrinking must
entail unnumbered miseries upon the helpless
babes who gather round his hearth. Speak out,
then pray you, for the Union as 1t is. Let
voice of patriotic warning and OF patriotic resolve
ring out from the walls of old Faneuil Hail. drown
ing the clamor Of noisy fanatics who would "mad-
Iy rush where angels fear to tread" If there be
IL he ffsfffr ff nnr
country worthy Of effort, that effort may avail.
little while and il may be useless. Now Is the
time to sustain your WEBSTER, your Dickinson,
your CAss, and your ELIor-to vindicate the SOW
ereignty of your laws--to secure the perpetuation
of your Constitution. We have every TO
believe that moral nerve and patriotic resolution
upon your part will achieve success, and we will not
fear your recreancy the call Of Countrywide be-
hest OF duty. II, however, you succume, upon
your hcads then rest the responsibility. When
this Government shall evince its indisposidon or lie
inability TO to the advantages OF the COM
promises of the Constitution, you will then meet
the whole South in unbroken column-shoulder TO
shoulder. When you shall repudate your cove
nanted obligations and set at naught your pighted
faith as yiolstve of "highcr law" than that which
inculcates honesty and fair dealing but one course
consistent with honor and safety will remain for
US "Peaccably IL VIC can, forcibly five must
we will then resume the powers we have granted
10 our common Government. The republic OF our
sires will be numbered with the things that have
been, and you will have sacrificed upon the altar
of a senseless fanaticisrn the greatness and glory
of the American Union. 1--WE speak az unto wise
men-judgc ye what we say" b. X W.
FsrpEpIcKspURo, Va, Oct 80 1850.
WILD CAT.-The return Of this noted chief 10 the