The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-21
From The Old Col0ny (.lla,s. Reporter. |.
Victory is sometimes worse than defeat

| - victory is sometimes worse than defeat"
| The FuGITivE SLAVE LAW NO TRIuMrH. Amid
the various emotions of astonishment, horror and
Indignation, with which we have Contemplated
that browning act of American infany, the Fugitive
slave bill, we have not experienced anything like
dependency. Under whatever other aspect II has
presented itself, il has certainly not produced the
impression of a victory gained by the slave power.
ouch, indeed, II must be regarded IN form, out IL
is such victory as may, we think, be regarded
as even more runous than defeat, and ominous OF
results equally unexpected and unwelcome to our
Southern neighbors.
The advantage proposed by this measure be-
comes every day more problematical and uncer-
tain, while il is becoming fearluly certain, that for
the mere prospect of doubtful advantage the South
must pay great and ruinous price.
That more tugltiyes may be returned under the
present enactment, than were reclaimed under the
| old constitutional provision, Is possible, lhough
we doubt it greatly. But whether the work Is
performed or not the cost to the South will be the
same.
That cost is the creation OF an agitation and ha-
tired of slavery here at the North, which Is to all
| former feeling and excitement, as the resstless
whirwind to the gentle zephyr.
The strongest support which the hateful inst-
| tuition has enjoyed these many years, consists IN
the apathy and Indifference with which the North
has regarded it. That indifference, shareholders
have taken a sure method to dispel. They have
sown the wind, and the whirlwind harvest will
assuredy be theirs.
The true policy of slavery is quiet, profound
quiet. Whatever brings it into notice Is adverse
TO Its existence, however 1t may seem to place II
in an advantageous point of view. How much
more fatally hostile to its being must be measure
which instead Of gliding its determines and giving
TO its serpent nature the harmless aspect OF the
dove, brings all its horrors into bold relief, and
stamps Enthusiastically, on its front, its helish at
tributes and origin.
The effect Of the law, when fully executed, can
not, we think, in any way operate to the advan-
tage of shareholders.
The recovery of fugitves, instead of proving an
advantage, must also inevitably prove curse.
What shall they do with the fugitive' Will he
sink back into the submissive ser? rather VIII he
not, with his thoughts on fire, with the liberty
which he has tasted, be fire brand IN the
midst of combustibes' Say that he Is destroyed
what beyond the miserable revenge will be the
master gain?
And the effect of either on the masses of the
North requires no prophet to divine.
The body of the people care little about slavery
in the abstract, and this simply because they
know little about it-scarcely recognize 1t as exist
ing at all. But when they their colored neigh
oors forced 10 flee from their homes, or selzed ana
dragged into slavery, while the wall of their wives
| and children comes in at their doors, the sceEe is
changed. But when more than all this, they hnd
themselves required to turn slave-catchers-that
they are themselves exposed to the shareholders
claim, they are perforce converted into the dead
Ii est opposers Of slavery.
Thousands, who but for this law, might have
slumbered on without thinking of slavery, except
to curse slavery, are changed at once into the same
likeness.
Had the South been wise she would not thus
have unveiled the workings Of the institution.
In a future number, shall speak further OF
the good results which we anticipate from the law