Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-12-14


of persons who threten to defy and resist, in
one particular. the execution of the laws In
none of these demonstrations, however, view
ed by the light of the past history of the coun-
try, do discover ground for serious alarm
In no country, however great or small, can all
the policy or all the laws made TO carry out
its policy give satisfaction to all; as a conse-
quence, excitement more or less PREVAILS
Thus we have seen our own constitution
threatened by the demon of civil discord but
it stood the shock, and still stands like the
granite rock at the base of the mountain, un-
harmed By the waves that have beat upon it.
We contemplate with just pride the inestim-
able blessings which this Union of States has
conferred upon each individual State, by max
ing equal and uniform regulations for the
trade and commerce of all-thus increasing the
wealth and promoting the general prosperity.
4 We have still more cause to rejoice when we
see how much it has added to our strength
and power as nation, and that power still in
creusng-by this means giving US a guaran-
tee ofpeace with all other nation, and protection
from hostile incursions among ourselves; yea,
more-a standing among the nations of the
earth that will add an immense power to the
moral influence of our free institutions
throughout the world. He, therefore, who
would desire to see this mighty nation reduc-
ed to thirty or more petty States, distracted
with the feuds of bitter civil discord, and desc
lated with the horrors of border warfare, is
not only traitor to his country, but on enc
: my to the best interests of mankind. Too
r much praise cannot be bestowed upon the
true friends ofthe Union but it is difficult to
single out individuals to whom that term is to
l. IL. II L
embraces asorly all the ADaerican people
: Though compliant may be sometimes made
, yet Just national pride and love of country
viii rally the great body of the people around
, the Constitution and save il from the hand of
: thesp spoiIer.
: Alarm and agitation of late, has mostly
grown out of the subject of slavery. The con-
stitulion provides in substance, that if a slave
: escapes from his master into another state,
: that he shall be given up on claim and proof
being made. Whatever rights are secured to
the slaveholding states BY this provision of the
: constitution and law, should be strictly and in
] good faith maintained; but in enacting laws for
this purpose, care should be taken that the
: rights Of other states as well as individuals
2 thereof be not infringed npon. The law de-
nominated the Fugitive Slave Law" has
awakened much Of the present excited feel
ing and action in the country. 1t is claimed
FIRST that it is a violation of the constitution
of the United States. Yet it is an enactment
of the supreme lsw-makihg power of the land,
S and forcible resistance to its execution cannot
be justihable without sustaining that practice
of lawless violence which strikes at the foun-
i dat;on of government IF the law be uncoa-
stitutional that question must be settled by
q that tribunal which is provided to settle mat
ters of this kind. to whose decision, as good cit
zens, and as a law abiding people, We are
bound to submit.
i This law, in its whole fabric, implies gen
eral distrust of the good faith of the people of
j the free States, to abide BY the provisions of
: the compact under which we exist as gov
: ernment Such distrust, which l believe IS
e without any real foundation, weakeDs the Ig-
c aments which bind us together, and Of course
: strikes at the foundation of our government
But the whole law, in all of its provisions, can
n not be considered in this document Suffice
T it to say that it is Objectionable because it
J makes slavery national instead Of a State in
It stitution, by requiring the costs Of reelaiming
e the slave in some instances to be paid OF the
q United States Treasury-because 1t attempts
q to make exparte testimony, taken IN another
+ Jurisdiction, final and conclusive, in cases
e where its effect may be TO enslaye man and
u bis posterity for all time. and commits the de-
h cison of this question of civil liberty to officers
L not selected for judicial wisdom or experience
because it attempts to compel the citizens
o of free States to aid in arrestihg and returning
l. to slavery the man who is only fleeing for
le liberty, in the same manner as they wO0ld
" rightfullY be bound to aid in arresting man
y fleeing from justice, charged with the commits
sion of high crime and nsisdsmsGnor.
II Finally: in relation to the mode of trial and
other particulars the law is contrary to the
= genius and spirit of our free institutions, and
a therefore dangerous to both free and slave
b" States, and consequently ought TO be amended
y or repealed But forcible resistance to this,
= or any other law, is only rebellion, and IS not
~ the way to procure the remedy. Let there
ne be a generous confidence in all parts of the
nation, each with the other. Let the evils be
a plainly laid before the law making power Of
, " the country. Let argument, and reason, and
ne love of country, be the ruling principles, and
e. :" the constitution will prevail Let Law be
- passed, giving to the master his constitutional
- =" rights only, based upon common principles, oi
u NC evidence, adjudication, and execution, thus
~ being consistent with the spirit of our free IN
~ " stitutions-and venture the assertion that il
ny viii be fulfilled to the letter and spirit in ali
~ parts of the Union, and the country again set
oe tie down in harmony and peace. Once more
the interests of the people are committed tc
on your wisdom. And again | would add my
10 fervent suppEcatons to the Supreme Ruler o.
,e- the Universe, that His proyidential care may
IL still be continued to the State-that virtue
IS and the love of country may be fixed IN the
1T breasts of the people, and their Liberties be
On A TrOVT no
TO- perpetual. SEABURY- FORD.
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