The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-12-28
The Punitive slave Law IN Vermont,


The Legislature Of vermont at its recent ses-
sion, passed law Of which we find the follow
ing synopsis in the papers;
"The legislature OF Vermont at its late session.
passed Law with special reference TO give those
inhabitants, Of that State arrested as fugitive
slaves the benefit Of the habeds corpus and every
possible legal defence. Ii devalves upon the cir
cult judges Of the several judicial courts the pow
err Of issuing this writ, heretofor vested in the
| judges of the Supreme Court and makes it the
duty OF the states attorney, in the several coun-
ties, TO apply to either class of Judges or courts,
IN case the arrest Of any inhabtant as fugitive
slave occurs, when the Judge or court applied TO
shall issue the writ Of ka5oas corpus, returnsble
10 the supreme or county court when in session,
or 10 any Judge of elthe' court durlns vacation.
II under this writ issued during the vacation by
any judge. the persons arrested and imprisoned
as fugitive be not discharged, he is entitled to
an appeal to the next term of the county court
by furnishing proper bail. The court to which an
appeal Is made, or to which the writ was origin
ally made returnshe, j, directed upon the applI-
cation OF either party interested, 10 allow trial
by Jury Of all the facts al issue between the par
ties. The law makes 1t the special duty OF the
States attorney IN the several counties TO use e
very lawful means TO procure the acquital of eve
~ person arrested aud claimed within their dis
trict rs a fugitive slave and nstruets all judicial
and executive officers, who shall know or have
reason to believe that such an arrest is intended
to give immediate no,ce thereof TO the attorney
in their county, that he NAV timely take the mea-
sures that dcyolve upon him for securing the
rights of the arrested party.-Sprtngfctd VA" }
Republican.
As We understand the css,, this law Of the e-
gislature of Vermont is dlrsctly contrary to the
decision Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States and in effect notification If the recent
act OF congress, Section sixth Of the law OF con-
gtess authorizes the Judge or commissioner to de
terrnne the case IN a summary manner and also
ton mention shall be conclusive Of the right of
the person or persons IN whose favor granted 10
remove such fugitive TO the state or territory
from which he escaped, and shall prevent all mo
lestation Of such person persons by any process
issued By any court judge magistrate or any other
persoH ehomsocrcr.' The legislature Of Vermont
it would seem, claims the right to embarrass thu
execution OF the law at every step OF lis pro
gress-io take the process out Of the hand, OF the
tribunals appointed by the United States, and
bring it before State courts, allowing the prve.
lege Of appeal, and SO rendering the execution OF
the law lext to impossible
1t is fashionable at the north TO speak Of the
extravaganza and folly Of some OF the measures
talked about in South Carolina to defend them
a., A. -
but We believe the kingdom Of Quatlebunl is not
quite guilty of The folly Of undertaking to repeal
the laws of congress To which she objects. which
is certainly attempted to he done N the above
law of the state Of Vermont.
We canno, say that we like the fugitive slave
law. There is something so abhorrcnt in .he pro
vision which makes it criminal to show mercy to
the poor" and TO the wanderer and out cast, that
mans better nature must revglt. But this objcc.
ton is as applicable to the old to the late law
and indeed has its foundation in the constitution
ITSELF or rather beyond that, in the political ne
cesy Of the case. 1t is one Of the compromises
upon which this constitution is based, and those
who attempt to nullify it, must bear in mind that
they are at the same multiplying the Union.
1t i, folly to aim our blows at the fugitive law
We may strive to amend it, and render its pro
visions more humane but the odious part, the
grand ohjec ton-to wit, the returning Of the fu,
gitve back into bondage-must remain, or we
must giveup the Union. The millennium we look
for is when South Carolina shall have no more
fugitives to reclaim. This our philanthropists
should labor to bring about, and not rather pnt
of the day by the attachments of such foolish laws
as the above.