The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-30

Charles H Test, ]. Morrison,
r. Crawford, WIN. Henderson,
J. A. Liston, James Rariden
Gentlemen Of The Grand Jury:
feel il my duty to ask your attention 10 another sub
iect which, sure, you will think with me deserves al
this Dment the graves consideration OF every citizen
OF the State. aude to the late ael Of Congress COM
monty known as .'the fagitive. slave law :
When the constitution OF the United States was sub
med TO The different States for adoption and ratification,
recognised by OF its pianest provisions slaves as
property and although the term slave was not used N
The instrument. that part OF it which provided for the ex
tradition Of fugves iron labor Was as well understood
aud well considered any other part Of the instrument
Il was as clear any portion Of the bill oil rights, and
received the sanction OF those States where slavery did
not exist, as well of those where it did, Indeed,
without such provision the constitution could not have
been adopted; for il is well known that at that Tune
slavery existed in many OF the old States, where It has
That same constitution is still in full force, governing
all and protecting all In 193 Congress in pursuance OF
The constitutional requsten, passed fugitive slave law,
defining the mode in which iugyes IRON labor ssond
be reclaimed by those to whom they owed service
From that day this, il has remained the law OF the
land In the mean tme however, many changes have
taken place the social condition OF the country Prior
70 1880 the cases in which the owners OF insve slaves
found it necessary resort TO The law were compare
lively few; there no organized opposition TO the me-
suion; all events there little or no difficulty
in enforcing the law Since the constitution was adopt
ed State after State has abolished slavery, and has
been gradually recedng from the North and the East,
until it is now confined merely 10 the planting States
There have always been men, in and out of the slave
States and men OF high character and pure morality, OPP.
posed 10 the system OF negro slavery but this class Of
men dreamed OF interfering with existing insttu-
TONS much less of interfering with the individual rights
OF the OF slaves Until within the last few years,
his right to his slave has been deemed as sacred his
right any other species OF popery and until very re-
GENTLY il has never been claimed that there any
"highrr law" than the constitution which could defeat
that right.
IN hla Imp
which, in my judgment have gwen party character 10
what otherwise would have been harmless opinions, we
cannot close eyes TO the fact that at this moment we
are passing through the ordeal to which the
tuton has been subjected Evil passions seem to
been let loose and Madness in some sections OF the
country, 10 rule the hour The continual agita
ton oil the subject for the last few years has had
tendency to encourage the TO flee from his masier
hoping for protection from that class in the free States
whose sympaihes have been strongly expressed in
his favor While Indiana has by statute aided the
ter obstacles have been nteposed by some OF the other
States the recovery OF iugves and this has led very
rapidly nigh have been supposed TO sectional riia
ton The difficulties have been and more complicated
by the extension Of territory thereby creating the
cessy for States and new Territories, until al last
they have assumed importance threatening ITO the
integrity OF the Union lead TO the pasage by Con-
gress last session. oil series oil measures intended as
adjustment OF all controversies vi these measures
the luz We slave law" is This law provides some
additional facilities for the master IN The recovery OF MS
slave and imposes some additional penalties those
who aid in defeating his recovery n, This IS all The
under the old act OF 1885, and yet tile passage oil
this law for which there seemed to be sort OF
sy has been made the theme OF violent remuneration by
public meetings, and threats OF resistance whenever II is
attempted 10 be executed By the provisions OF the late
act the duty Of aiding the his property
ensy on .ns Sh h 81 e be 5ay
this court where there il necessity Tor H. 10 appoint con-
missoners, who are charged with the performance OF
certain duties in aid OF The mater but M all this the
rights OF The fugitive are clearly protected they
under the ACT OF 1893 The 7th section OF the act I'M
poses penalty oil fine and imprisonment upon all who
attempt 10 hinder the arrest OF fugitive to AID him in
escaping from custody or who harbor conceal him II
will be your duty inquire whether any within this
dsrc, has rendered himself liable under this section II
there be any such person or PERSONS you VIII present
them 10 this court Tor trial.
Blu, il NAV be well TO examine little further into the
which may result from the resistance Of
this law.
At a very early period Of the government-ony FIVE
six years after the constitution was Acknowledgements
passed ac imposing certain duties on all liquors DIS
titled I'M the United States. II thought by portion
of The people of Virginia. Mary and, and PeDnsyva-
MIA, where there were extensive dstIerles OF rum
and whIskey, 10 be very oppressive In pennsylvania
open resistance 10 the law was made. Public meet
ngs were held--nfammatory resolutions adopted de-
nouncing the law and all who attempted to execute
it, The collector Of the duties appointed by the Uni
ted States was threatened; his house and his papers
were burned the United States marshal was com
PEELED 10 deliver up his process aud abandon his du'
ties; the courts oil the United states and OF TOE Stale
were unable TO make head against the spirit OF resist
ance-they poweress tat last came to be ques-
ton between the powers OF the government and mob:
Under these il certified by Justice OF
the Supreme Court to the President, that the laws OF the
United States opposed that their execution was
obstruced by combinations too powerful to be suppressed
by the ordinary course OF judicial proceedings or by the
process vested in the marshal Every effort bad been
made by appeal and remonsirance but nsmed by arful
and leaders, the standard OF rebellion was
hoisted There was alternative but 10 suffer the law
10 be trodden down by mob enforced with the sword.
Gen Washington then at the head OF the government,
did hesitate send military orce TO the theatre OF
The civil power yielded Order restored; the courts
OF Justice resumed their functions the law exc
cuied and from that period until 1903, when was re-
collection OF duties performed their duties without further
popular interruption. In the mean time, the leaders
of The nsurecton arrested indicted Tor treason.
and many Of them convicted, and. but for the cemency
Of the President, would have met the fate OF traitors
I have referred TO this scrap OF history TO show.
L. he a nut