The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-25

asg v#AM,s 4t From Inc Boston Advertiser.
The Eugssvs-sIavs Law.
In remarks published in yesterdays paper upon The
necessity OF some provision like that embraced in this
law, independently OF the requisiuon embraced IN the
constitution alluded arrangements for edectng
similar end between the colonies before the declaration OF
independence Since the publication Of those remarks,
published in the Courier Of the date, with the eiia
ton oil stipulation which contained in the articles
OF the confederation OF the New England colonies at
very early date, and which had in mind al the time
OF writing, without the means OF convenient reference
TO IT,
We believe that there arrangements to similar
effect OF later date between other colonies, but
not at leisure al present to 60 into that inquiry In
dependeny OF any such fact believe that position
is sufficiently established that had the constitution OF the
United States existed, regulation OF similar
purpor TO that contained in the constitution Tor the
tradition OF fugitive slaves would OF necessity. have been
agreed between the States. either by treaty by
other form Of agreement whether they continued to be
united under the confederation had even become en-
tirey independent States This view of the subject is
ness Of regarding This provision Of he Constitution a.
budensome stipulation for the exclusive benefit OF slave
holders when, in fact, il is regulation which must
necessarily have subssted, IN some form or other, be-
tween the States, as the only condition which any free
commercial and social intercourse could be maintained
between them, and on which alone peaceful relations,
tualy beneficial could have subsised.
This consideration ia the more important al the pres
en time from the obvious fact that the tone Of the oppo
son which has arisen against this provision OF the
with the refugees, and commiseraon for their misfortune
as from feeling OF hostility 10 the shareholders, and
sectional hostility 10 the people OF the slaveholding
States Among the proofs oil this allegation may be
cited the uniform resistance Of the abotonsts and free
sellers TO the method Of relief TO refugee slaves, 10
which we have heretofore alluded as cheaper method
than that OF aiding them TO resist the laws of the Union,
viz the contribution OF money from private benecence
for the purchase OF their freedom by compensation 10
be agreed on with their masters. The New York jour
nal OF Commerce informs u.s. in that paper of Saturday
last, that the freedom OF fortyons slaves has been
cured within The last five months by OF conirbu.
tons received al that Office from pro. slavery men $50
called by the aboltonists ~ amounting in the aggregate
to S4,loO. OF this $500 recently contributed
to purchase James Hamlet the recapured slave after he
had been returned to his master BY legal proceedings
under the late law and $4Oo paid for the purchase
Of James r. Starkey, OF Newbern, North Carolina. a
further having been raised by the latter by his
effort to make up 7oO, the amount demanded for him.
We do not know why there should be any repugnance
to this method Of relieving legally held servtude,
but who have escaped from their bonds. and have found
friends in free State ready to make sacrifices in their
behalf. II they are capable and industrious, they may
meet part of The purchase from the proceeds OF their
industry and their friends aided by the benevolence
OF the public, which is always ready to meet such
than TO take up in their Defence it would seem
valiant persons have declared their readiness to do
Masters in general not disposed TO pursue their slaves
Dgs, and they often disposed to treat them with lem
ency Very many do not pursue their runaway slaves
all, and others would readily compound with them at
by legal means.
There can be no valid objection this mode OF adjust.
ing legal claim especially under circumstances in which
it has become odous to enforce it, although the claimant
may not feel able disposed TO abandon without any
remuneration. 1t is much better to meet the
business matter than to make quarrel of it, especially
if the quarrel become fight at the expense OF the
public peace. There are hundreds of men among us in
this land of freedom--white men, too-who, like the
chief captain in Scripture have paid large for their
freedom-not from bondage for life but from appren
ceshp, either by indenture by honorary engage.
ment until 81 Years OF age. 10 mechanic Of farmer
Those who ready pay something their masters
indemnity for the loss OF their services, especially
when they have been carefully brought up and instructed
in useful art, prove concusvey that they de.
TO be free than those who prefer escape by the
chances Of a fight. '
We therefore recommend to the friends Of refugee
slaves that instead OF encouraging them with the belief
that the public will stand by them and will not suffer
them to be arrested they should follow the example
which has been set in New York and Detroit of put
ting their hands into their pockets when they found that
refugee arrested the suit OF claimant possessed
of conclusive proof of ownership.