The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-25
From the sseo Democrat, Oct. "a.

From the sseo Democrat, Oct a.
RETURN OF FuoITIvEs.-The new law for the return
OF fugitive slaves continues 10 be the theme OF newspa
per discussion and personal denunciaon Meetings are
held deliberate upon il, and in instances deter.
mined opposition 10 its execution is resolved upon We
have sympathy with these agitaors their nuIlifca
ting movements. Their meetings, and discussions, and
have other objects than the security OF the
black in view Their desire is to prolong, and, il
possible, increase the excitement which the late action OF
% Es he Se esee
ment which attended the question OF slavery in the Ter
rores They doing all in their power TO wrest from
the country the peaes and SeS0e 50 S ssay 70 is
evil designs will be frustrated
No doubt some OF the features OF the fugitive slave
law Justly obnoxious but it is not solely mainly
on account OF these that the law denounced The gs
Of all the objections against il appears TO be, that is
efiectua-hat il accompanies the purpose for which il
be offended al the Of fugves, whether we are
not bound by solemn obligations 10 give them up, may
best be settled by the constitution and laws II fanatics
and blind zealos ready TO throw of all allegiance
these surely the candid and patriotic portion OF the peo
pie are not The clause OF the constitution which de-
lines obligations in this natter and upon which the
law is founded, is as follows:
No person held service labor In one State under the
laws thereof escaping into another shall in consequence
any law or regulation therein be discharged from such SER
vice labor but shall be delivered the claim Of the
party to whom such service or labor may be due"
This provision OF the constitution is plain and unmis
takeabe. 10 l7s3-within four years after the constu
lion was adopted-an act passed by Congress for
carrying II into effect This law executed in good
tionaliiy or resisted its execution. But the opposition TO
slavery al the North has OF late rendered II nugaiory
The State magistrates, upon whom the old law relied for
execution, could no longer be depended upon TO per-
form the required duties; in Massachusetts they were
even prohibited By statute from taking cognzance OF any
claim TO the service OF slave This plain provision OF
the constitution thus came 10 be entirely dsregarded
while slaves constantly escaping, and being in
weighed away from their masters, and taking up their
idence in the free States
To remedy this state OF things, and 10 silence the just
complaints OF the South the present law was enacted
Instead of depending upon the state magistrates for It's
execution, the law appoints special commissioners for
the purpose OF carrying out It's provisions Its operation
10 be hard in the case oil those slaves who have
long since escaped from their masters and become set
tied in the free States There may well be some excite
ment among such persons but il their number is half
large some OF the abolition agators represent them the
South has much greater OF complaint than we were
aware OF. We could wish that the law had excepted
such from its operation and only applied to those who
should hereafter escape But we are OF opinion that the
number Of escaped negroes resident Ia the free States
is much exaggerated. Few OF these will probably be
sought for by their much less viii free negroes
be arrested and carried off OF the northern nulli
advantageous in community of slaves, and the laws oil
all the slavehodng States exclude rather than encourage
their presence.
Ii any sober-minded people the North have been in
duced to aid countenance the excitement attempt
ing 10 be got up account Of this law, they should
pause and consider whether they willing TO run into
The same absurdties OF awlessness and qualifications
which they have frequently derided and denounced IN
The disupioniss of the South. We bound BY tie
compromises and guarantees OF the constitution and no
good citizen should connive at their violation. The
peace and honor, and webeing OF the country require
obedience and good faith TO all our legal and consitu
iiona oblie atoms The North should give no counte-
nance to those who counsel VIOLATION OF tpese solemn
obligations E0