The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-22

by the same felicity of illustration which char,
acterzcd its predecessors. ~" s." a.s1s.t
The writer possesses the happy faculty of en-
richng by his wit the topics he handles with
such eminent ability. 4 rg# III e..,..
The Fugitive Slave Bill-How 1t Works
Before and since the passage of this bill, so
loudly Wanted by those who might well en-
brace any pretext for distracting public atten-
lion from the other measures which it accom-
panied-we have pronounced that it would be
Il failure. Events have justified that prediction,
and proved the accuracy of our judgment as to
the real principles and feelings swaying the
masses of the Northern people. For all practi-
cal purposes the law is u nullity 1t may give
Southern submissionists something to swear by, |
but NJ practical, speedy and efficient enforce
lnent Of the Constitutional provision it is mere
mockery True, under its provisions in the city
of New York, one slave was delivered up-and
II Detroit nominal price was paid tho master
for another caught thereafter a disgraceful
riot. Some few others just over the border
may also have been reclaimed by enterprising
indviduals-but before its passage, not year
elapsed that some were not captured by their
masters for the rewards offered and we en-
tertain not doubt, that the difficulties of
their capture have been greatly increased by the
operation of this bill. Not that the bill in itself
is defective: for matmed by such minds as those
of MASON and BUTLER, (ripe and accomplished
jursts both) the law is probably as perfect as it
could be made-but of what avail are most
stringent provisions when intended to be carried
into execution in communities determined either
by force or fraud to resist or thwart them! In
the most corrupt era of the Roman empire the
statute books were numbered by the weight of
]aws-and the most heinous offences stalked
unpublished, while even the most trivial were
legally punishable by the sternest penalties. So
Wilt ever be where the public ointment does not
lend its sanction to give vital energy to the dead
letter Of the law: and thus is it in the very case
under consideration. Does any man doubt it ?
Let him only use the senses and the understand
ing that have been given to guide him to correct
conclusions. Let him close his ears to the siren
song of politicians, chanting compromise and
Cancellation: let him turn his eyes from their
caricatures ofpassing events-and look at, and
listen to the actions and the language of the
people of the North.
What sight greets his eyes ?-the upheaving
Of the masses in open and sometimes armed re-
sistance to this law-while the sworn officers of
Government perform their part in imminent
hazard, in fear and trembling. Nay, some have
resigned their Offices, through fear of the conse-
quences, or of the odium that would attach to
them for continuing to hold them on the condition
Of faithful performance of duty. How many
slaves will we see "reclain.ed 10 serrice''or is
forced sale to be so considered, when in fac
there is but "Hobson's choice"
What sounds greet his ear from the law abiding
the National North a confused chorus of yell
of defiance, of groans, and blasphemous profanity
us though the depths of Pandemonium had beer
stirred up, aud the demon of discord let loose
TO distract and madden the minds Of fanatics
knaves, and fools-and the burden Of that cho.
rus is "Repeal, and until then Resistance.
These are the sights and sounds that any
man in full possession of his senses cannot fail
TO be RECALLED with, turning his attention to the
North-and if there are to be found there a few
more conscientious in the discharge Of duty
and honest and manly enough to utter the truth
and rebuke the foul spirit Of robbery and wrong
now rampant there, they are as seldom and us
family seen as the stars when the cloud-rack
obscures the face of the sky. No: the hope,
slight as it was, of those who first drew up
and pressed this bill, have not been fulfilled,
and the result has proven how idle was any
such calculation. The result has shown that
the Northern aggressors spurn the mandates Of
law, as much as they had previously repudiated
the voice of fraternity and justice, and the more
solemn sanctions Of Holy Writ.
The issue of several of the former cases our
readers are familiar with. Hamlet was sold
into freedom, and jubilee was given on his
return. The two latest cases were those before
Judge GR1ER, in Philadelphia, and another in
Detroit, in both cases accompanied by riot and
bloodshed-in neither case was the slave re-
stored to service and labor" In each the Adolf
tionists retained the man-without expanding
themselves one dollar, while heavy expenses
were incurred by the owner and the Govern.
ment.
Judge GRHR, it seems, rebuked the spirit Of
Mob Law exhibited, and threatened to suppress
that game if attempted, even by the shedding o.
blood. Philadelphia has good cause to dread
her own hounds when their muzzles are slipped
But the Judge rendered the mob unnecessary
for he released the slave.
Here is the account of this case, over which
Southern Compromises will make great glori
fication
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Patriot.]
PHILADELPHIA, Friday, P. NJ.