The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-04
We copy from the Albany IN. W Stat,

We copy from the Albany IN. Y. State
Register the annexed calm and sensible
view Of the most irritating branches of the
slave question. II the people would consider
the matter of surrendering persons bound
to labor escaping from one State into an
other, in connexion with the positive in
junction of the Constitution in respect to
it, there would be no difference of opinion
as to the obligation and duty Of the States.
1t is by setting up power above the Con-
stitution; by interpreting the obligations of
the federal compact by an ideal, arbitrary
and theoretical standard of duty, that the
question has become source Of trouble
and discomfort. Let any man ask himself
if his neighbor, with whom he has had
dealings, has the right to take to himself
all the advantages of contract, and re-
pudiate such portions of it as constituted
the consideration upon which those adj
vantages were conceded, and he will find
little difficulty in deciding a proposition
similar to that which forms the basis of
needless strife between the North and the
South. One clause of the Constitution is
just as obligatory as another, and State
has just as much right to set aside the
whole, as particular clauses. One State,
also, has as much right to reject and dis
obey what it dislikes, as another has what
is distasteful to it. Hence it is that the
assumption of right to disregard any
clause of the Constitution--or, what is the
same thing, set it aside at the suggestion
Of some imaginary higher authority-is
equivalent to dissolving Of the Union.
But this proposition is better put in the
subjoined article:
From as albany Nv. ~ State Rsgiste.
Our Duty TO Fugitive Slaves.
Erroneous views in regard to this subject are
very commonly entertained. The positiveness of
the constitutional requirement is not considered,
nor is the precise conduct which il imposes under
stood. We frequently hear men protesting that
they triH not aid in returning slaves TO bondage,
and evincng disposition to abandon those states,
men who have reminded them Of the provisions of
the Constitution Have those who thus speak
amined the subject attentivey? Have they con-
sidered hosc they are TO get rid of the obligation
If they will disregard it?
II Ia indsputabe that an agreement that slaves
fleeing into other States shall be surrendered TO
their masters, is in the Constitution, and that
this was of the conditions upon which the Union
was formed. II we are not willing now to carry il
out, there is clearly alternative but TO break the
agreement which our fathers made, and dissolve
the Union. Are those who feel 90 determined upon
this subject Of restoring fugitive slaves ready for
this alternative? Let them look this matter fairly
in the face II the Union is worth preserving, we
must make up our minds to comply with the con-
ditions upon which il formed. II our repug-
to the required surrender of fugitive slaves is
insuperable; IL we have become much more hu-
name, conscientious and Christian, than the men
OF the revolution that cannot stand the contract
they made for us, let US frankly avow it, and pro-
coed openly and above board TO procure a release.
But docs this compact require any thing of citi-
zen OF the North which his conscience viii not per-
init him TO dol We apprehend that the precise
conduct enjoined upon him by the provision in
question Is very commonly misunderstood. IL he
required to become a " slave-catcher," TO hunt up
the fugitive, or TO aid the master In carrying him
OH! Not at all, as we understand IL. He IL simply
required 10 permit this provision Of the Constitu
ton to be peaceably enforced-to allow the master
TO carry out his rights under il without illegally
molesting him. He Is simply bound to keep his
hands of, both from the master and the slave, and
leave the law 20 take its This is what is
required Of the CITIZEN and this ia all. But IL his
conscience is Of that peculiar construction that he
must forcibly interfere and prevent the master
from having the right guaranteed 10 him by the
Constitution, he will have 10 abide the consequences
Of an infraction Of the law.
The law emitting the master 20 reclaim his slave
rests upon great public necessity, and this should
be considered by every who " disposed 10 revolt
at IL. The consideration OF its origin and Of what
rests upon 1.-THE union Of these States should be
pulse to take the law into his hands, by uniting
with a mob 10 n slave.