Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-10-29

ihah with an article which appeared in the Repub.
lie of Saturday last, and the greater portion of
which we append. The first part Of this admira-
BILE article, presents q vndication of the Fugitive
Slave law against the objections urged in the
North to its mode of operation. II is not neces-
sary to repeat the argument TO Southern minds
Suffice it to say, the Republic shows conclusvely
that the Constitution places the fugitive slave on
precisely the same footing with the fugitive from
justice, and then triumphantly asks:
Why is an outcry raised at the surrender of black
man, and none raised at the surrender ola white man
the surrender in each being made by single ma
gstrae, upon prima facie or barely probable proof
and without the intervention OF Jury Are black
men better than white Are they beugs OF superior
grade, with more refined sensibties or higher claims
upon ourt raernal feelings and kindly synpathes Is
tribunal good enough fora white man from Ireland
or England, or Scotland, or France, and yet good
enough tor runaway negro from Georgia. or Virginia
or Kentucky
We must particularly direct the attention of
the Southern public to the strong language which
the Republic uses, with respect to the efforts now
making in the Northern States, to effect the re-
peal, or essential modification, of the Fugitive
law With perfectly just conception of the
danger which the proposed agitation involves, the
Republic firmly raises the voice of warning, end
tells Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Washington Hunt, and all
who have taken ground against the law, that 'aauSt
be erecuted or the Union cannot be preSeYuedn-
that to repeal it or 'nlake any material modifca-
tiors Of It's enatmentS," (nearly MIR. Hunts own
words,) will be reputation of the constitution,
towhich the South will not, and Dug hit not to- sub
mit,-that in case Of its repeal or material modi-
ticatiop, "He spirit Of Union, the desire for Union
qoould be gone" These are the words of true
wisdom, well and timely spoken. We thank the
Republic, with all the iervour of our devotion to
che Union, for uttering them. They place the
administration of Mr.. Fillmore on impregnable
ground, to maintain which, though at the cost of
sacrificing party ascendancy, will achieve Cor it a
more lasting renown than any political triumph,
obtained by vacillating professions. Honour we
say, to Willard Fillmore, the Northern President
who was not afraid to approve the Fugitive Slave
BILL and who is determined to execute it. if the
task require the exertion Of the whole Federal
authority.
Away, we say with this one-sided and partial SYM
patty this special pleading and dsingenuous humanity
II trial by Jury be necessary expedient one case
It's so in the other Let it then be demanded in both
or else let there be DO more OF hypocrtca cutlery by
political Aboionsts because that is not extended to
PACK slaves vnie they themselves admitmay be right
fully withheld from tFee white men.
Let man be deeelfedas to the pdfpose and mo-
Gves OF these aetatas 1t is notear OF Injustice free
black men of he North, no socitude for impar-
al trials and just decisions which raises the shout Tor
jures and for writs of hdbeaS corpus. Ii is Justice
which is feared; 1t is an impartial trial, offered and
secured by this law, which prompts the denuncation
and stimulates the threat OF resistance. Is additional
proof wanted OF thsl Iii at hand 10 all the indigna-
ton meetings held upon the passage of the law who is
melted resistance; who recommended to take arms:
assured OF assistance and SVmDathyl 1t the
gGve save-not the free black; it is the known run
away from Southern maser-not the coloied citizen
OF Northern State-who was taken flight upon the
passage of the law and sought refuge in Canada be-
yond its authority Not the coored free man. but the
runaway slave. He has fled not because ohis colour but
because OF his socia condition; and it sundenabe that
of the whole free black population of the North no
one has absconded, because one has te insecure
To OF them have been Offered assurances ofpro-
lection and assistance exhortatons arm for his
defence, for none ofthem was supposed 10 be in dan
ger.
thus then stands the The law of 1850 for the
restoration oiugitye slaves in all respects consistent
with the Constitution; it provides fair and impartial
tribunal, such afforded in analogous cases to white
men whether foreigners by BIRTH native citizens of
the United Statesa tribunal liable suspicion of
wrong and not 10 tact suspected of any, and this law
is passed in obedience to positive provision of the
Constitution binding upon the consciences not only of
members OF Congress and national and State officers
bat of every citizen OF the republic 1t is impossible
therefore, resist the conclusion, that the whole oppo-
siton this law grows Oft the conviction that in lis
execution the duty OF Congress will be fulilled-the
constitutional injunction be complied wth-aud run
away slaves be surrendered to their masters The trial
by jury demanded not protect teemen but to har-
Dor saves-s sought, not fair means of executing
the law but as safe and specous, legal and orderly
mode OF defeating the law. The demand for it tub
10 the whale wachword 70 party rallyinq shout
for sedtion the battle cry with which tumuitarv vio
ience may rush to conflict with the law and the maps
tracy of the country The whole opposition is to The
CONSTITUTIONS and the law is denounced because and
only because, il carries out the Constitution The op-
position is therefore, sedous and reasonable in its
character aud tendency and needs only to show self
with armed bands and hostile anaV in resistance 10
the execution Of the law involve al! its adherents in
the formal guilt OF treason against the United States
We repeat, therefore, our warning to all good citi-
Zens TO all law abiding men; to all who are free from
sedtious and reasonable designs, to beware OF these
opposers Of the Constitution and the aw-these dsur-
bers OF the peace and the order OF society.
A Singular and appalling spectacle is now presented
by our country. AT the South disunion is openly
taught and urged by some and supported and dested
by more; There the admission of the free State Of
Cahiornla INTO the Union by unquesuonable act OF
constitutional power; there the abolition of the slave
trade in this District, OF police and domes-
tic regulation clearly within the just authority OF Con-
gFess-are made the grounds OF inepen measures for
adissolutnn OF the Uuiou Al the North rupture OF
constitutional Union, though not so boldly ayoyg
ed is yet truly sought because OF the passaGe OF
law tor restoring slaves their masters ACCORDING
70 positive command OF the Constitution Thusme1
OF opinions extreme IN opposite directions men who
agree IN nothing ese-seem engaged, for reasons the
most opposite and contradictory, in a common effort
10 unsette the Government, to at defiance its a,-
rhority and either directly overthrow or secretly IN
dermine that fabric OF national Union which our
wiser fathers, with so much toll and care built up ior
themselves and their posierity. From considering
ms strange spectacle, let the great of patriotic
and Uaion-loving men, both North and South lea IN
the true lesson OF duty and OF SAFETY In medic tutis-
SINUS 1b1s. Let them discard, disown, discounte-
nance both these dangerous ard fanaticaI extremes
and stand firmly upon the middle ground of the consti-
luton, where only they stand securely.
but we would particularly urge this counsel upon
our N9rhefn brethern by them II IS specially needed
ter al the South the surface of agitation Is narrowing
aud lie violence has abaed while at the North sedI-
on seems to have gathered both strength and boldns
and now shows itself in the light OF day and assumes
TO speak with voice of authority and defiance We
entreat, then, Northern rilow-ctzens not 10 mis-
lake the condition OF things bat to look At our affairs
with the careful scrutiny and treat them Win the I,sa
pfeeaotion, WHICH the emergency requires