The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-12-17
Tbr AlioNleburp Register.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER II, 1850.
Vermont " Notification"

The law passed at the late session Of our
Legislature, designed 10 render tho Fus-
tive Slave law of 1850 powerless and inop-
erativc.in some Of its most lous provisions,
is the subject of much comment, at Wash
innion and elsewhere. 1t is regarded as null
LITIGATION in direct terms, and denounced as
such. by several of the Wing papers of
temperate, conservative, Union character.
They look upon it as not only dangerous and
revolutionary in principle but as particular
!y inoppor'unc at this jurcture, since it
affords pretcxt TO Southern disunionists,
which they would otherwise have sought in
vain There is, beyond doubt, considera-
bic number of persons at the South, who
anxiousy desire disunion for its own sake,
and whom nothing so much gratiies as
any movement-even tho most trillng-on
the part Of the North, that can be made use
Of to stir up sectional excitement in their
favor
1t is probably true that, however odous
the new Fugitive law may be. in some re-
spects. to our people. it would ever be. as
similar law for the last fifty years has been,
of very little consequence 10 US as a State.
This must necessarily happen, from our 10
cal position. Nermontcrs could never have
reasonably felt any serious approximations
from its operation within the limits OF our
S;ate and they could well afford to let it.
so far az they are concerned, stand until
suitably modified, repealed or forgotten.
The act Of our Legislature, now in ques-
ton, was hastily passed. 1t was reported
by Mr.. YAH, from select committee, on
the last day Of the session. An Intellectual at
temp, was made by MIR. GRANDLY, of Yer
genncs.) to secure a little time to consider
measure Of such Importance But the bill
was hurried through tar House, and without
any time for re-consdering what in fact had
not been considered at all, was hastily crowd
cd still further, and received the executive
signature.
In the opinion OF Gov. WILLIAMS, this
act undoubtedly did not come within the
limits which, rs n Wing, he deemed ncccs.
sqry to afford just ground for resorting 10 the
veto power which our constitution recognizes,
but which has seldom been used. The ques-
ton must have been raised in his own mind
whether, in point of fact, this act was un-
AID virtual publication OF
the late iav Of Congress Believing it to he
such. he must have refused it his signature
and submitted his reasons to The Legisla
ture. As Gov. Williams has for years been
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court of this
State, he was no doubt quite as competent to
Judge the effect Of this law, and Of its true
RELATION 70 tia. Of Congress, rs the editors
who have t,ke,: 10 arm. against him. That
he signed bill, Jc.ietTag that he thereby
an unconsiitu'iSna aud nuili'y-
ing enactment, i, not TO be presumed.
We think much more noise is made sbor,
this law Of our State than is necessary. 1t
win never be called into exercise No oc-
casion for it win ever be offered 1t is prob
ably-judsing from the high sanction it has
receiveu-witnin constitutional limits All
all events, it is harmless. Had it never been
passed, very likely Vermont would have
stood better with some Of her sister States,
and beyond question, ALL HER CITIZENS,
and the STRANGER WITHIN HEa GATES,
would have been quite as well of wirhou,
it,
Some remarks Of the National Intelligcn-
Ger on this subject will be found in another
rart Of our paper.