The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-21

u
gE5I tempt at Deception.
Everybody has, no doubt, been amused for
some time past at the spectacle exhibited by the
writing of the Iateiligencer and Union, under
the late notification law of Vermont 1t came
in SO unluckily to disturb the harmony of their
congratulations Of the country under the blessed
effects of the "peaee measures" They have
Wed with each other from day to day, in their
expressions of surprise and horror ut the oc-
currence. 1t is so unreasonable so out of
place! so wonderful so absurd Surely it
was monster, lusus nature or at least
joke! Vermont did not mean it! The legsla-
ture was certainly asleep when it got through.
Of course there would have been clamor, an
cutlery Such have been their laughabe decla-
nations for the last ten days. Luckily, or per-
haps designcdly, to enable them to mislead their
readers, an anonymous communication appears
in New York paper, professedly written from
Vermont. The writer declares that the bill
was passed without examination, and without
discussion, and it seems, too, without one word
of objection from any single member, at the end
OF the session. The writer then complains that the
Governor, the newspapers of the State, &C., are
so much in favor Of the measure, that they will
not tell the truth about the affair and that the PEG.
pie OF the State are not in favor of the law
This silly alsurdity has been seized upon by
both the national organs here, and paraded be-
fore the public with a view, as they pretend,
of enghtening their readers.
To expose this humbug, we present below,
TAKEN from the statutes of the State of Vermont,
n law passed as far back as the year ls43. This
has been the law of Vermont for the last seven
years. 1t Is even moro stringent in its provis-
ions than the late act. No wonder, therefore,
that the recent movement created no surprise,
and found no opposition in the State, according,
it did, with her entire Legislative policy. This,
as well as the similar statutes of many of the
other Northern States. has been 80 often dis
cussed in Congress, that we can hardly suppose
the InteHigencer and Union ignorant of them.
Is it not then extraordinary, even for these
papers, to make such an attempt to mislead
their readers! But we give the law, and ask
any man who reads its provisions, and compares
them with the late act, to find if he can, an excuse
for such outcry as these papers, and others, are
making, after their having, for such length of
time, concealed all knowledge Of such enact
ments:
II is hereby enacted by The General Assembly of
the State IF Vermont, as tolloUs:
Sec. |. No court of record in this State, nor
;,,I1 tI,,
other magistrate, acting under the authority of
this State, shall hereafter take cognzance of, or
grant any certificate, warrant or other process,
in any case arising under section three of an act
Of Congress, passed February twelfth, seven
teen hundred and ninety-three, entitled an act
respecting fugitves from justice, and persons
escaping from the service of their masters, to
any person claiming any other person as n fugi
tive slave, in this State.
Sec. =. No sheriff. deputy sheriff, high bailf
constable, jaer, or other officer or citizen OF
this State shall, hereafter seize, arrest, or de-
tain or aid in the seizure, arrest or detention or
Imprisonment in any Jail or other building, be-
longing to this State,or to any county, town, cit ,
or person therein, of any person for the reason
that he is or may he claimed rs fugitive slave
SEC. 3. No sheriff, deputy sheriff, high bailif,
constable, or other officer or citizen of this STAFF
Snil TeulONe. tlu or ASS'St III li
transportation or removal of any fugitive slave,
or any person claimed rs such, from any place
in this State to any other place within or with
out the same.
SEC, 4. Ifany such Judge, Justice oftlc peace,
magistrate officer or citizen, shall offend against
the two preceding sections such Judge, justice
of the peace, magistrate, officer or Citizen shall
be subject to the penalties provided in section
of this act.
Sec. 5. Any Judge Of any court Of record in
this State, any justice of the peace or other
magistrate, any sheriff, deputy sheriff, high bal
lift, constable, or jailer, or any citizen Of this
State, who shall offend against the provisions Of
this act, by acting directly or indirectly under
the provisions of section three of the act Of Con-
gress aforesaid, shall forfeit sum not exceed
ing one thousand dollars, to the use of the State,
to be recovered upon information or indictment,
or be imprisoned in the State prison not exceed
ing five years.
Provided that this act shall not be construed
to extend to any citizen of this State acting rs
Judge of the circuit or district court of the Uni,
ted States, or as marshal or deputy marshal of
the district of Vermont, or to any person acting
under the command or authority of said courts
or marshal.
Sec g. An act entitled can act to extend the
right Of trial by jury" approved October goth,
1910, is repealed.
SEC. T. This act shall take effect from its
passage
Approved Nov |, ls43.
According to the statement of the Cover
no of South Carolina, there are twenty thou
sand persons In that State who can neither read
nor write. Had not the State better appro-