The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-14
Pennsylvania and the Fugitive Slave Law

Pennsylvania and the Fugitive Slave Law.
We have heard a good deal Of twaddle about
the fidelity Of Pennsylvania to the Constitution,
.hich her acts, and even her professions, have
not confirmed--and submit few specimens of
the spirit prevailing there.
Ofall the papers received from that State, we
recollect but one, (The Pennsyluanian,) which
unequivocally insists on the observance of the
Fugitive bill-while many are violent and open
in denunciation off it.
| A few extracts selected at random from the
papers protesting moderation and fairness, we
subon to show whether the cold Keystone
stands firm in her support of the Constitution -
In an article OH the subject, the Pennsylvania
Republican says:
This State, then finding that Southern slave
holders refused to submit to a legal investiga-
ton Of the question Of ownership, and were will
| ing to take advantage of so much of her law as
suited their convenience, but refused to be gov
erned by that provision which insured to the
jewellers on her soil the protection of a judicial
| inquiry, repealed her act of 1925, and RENTED
! them to the Act of Congress of 1898 and the
power declared by the Supreme Court of the
United States to be vested in them, which Was
equivalent to the common law right of recap
ture. She did make ample "provision for the
delivery of fugitive slaves upon the established
claim of the owner"-she passed a law " to carry
into effect the provisions of the Constitution of
the United States relative to fugitives from
labor" and it was not until the saveocracy re-
fused to abide by the plain, just and adequate
provisions which she had made and nsulted her
by invasion of her territory and carrying off IL
dwel!er thereon into bondage, without first es.
tablishng their claim, that she mnhdreio her aid
from them. Had the South itself been content
to respect the reasonable securities which she
required, in order to prevent her free citizens
from being carried off into bondage, all would
have been we'll but as such was not the case
she was fully justified in the course which she
pursued in passing the Act OF lS47, by almost
unanimous votes Of both parties in her Legisla
ture, and it is absurd and unjust for any one to
Charge her with giving proper occasion for 6" 1t
display of Southern feeling and the odious dis
union sentiment" Pennsylvania is true to the
Constitution, and faithful to all her obligations
under il she also respects the invipabiity of
nifty of her own sovereignty. Ifothers ,oiH mt
respect these, they hare no right 10 expect her to
assist them in efecting their proposes.
Three items from the Bucks county Iutelli-
gencer, will show the bias of the people there,
it is a Wing paper Of national affnties-that
is Northern.
There pas no truth in the statement from the
Baltimore paper that President Fillmore had or
dered troops to Boston, to aid in the execution
of the Fugitive slave law. 1t il contradicted by
the paper that set it ahoaI. There is no doubt
that the President will perform his duty in seeing
that the laws are faithfully executed but before
calling out the standing army to suppress re-
beion he must issue his proclamation declaring
the necessity; thing he will not be called upon
to do.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law CONDEMNED
The Locofocos in New Jersey charged John
Runk with being great admirer of the Fugitive
slave law. Mr.. Runk is defeated by over four
thousand votes. According to Locofoco logic
this is condemnation of the Fugitive slave law.
The VOTE UPON THE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law
The members of Congress from the free
States voted as follows on the passage of this
law
In the House-Locofocos, 81
Wings, 3
In the Senate-LocOfocos 3
Wings, none
IL this measure is so eminently vie, lust,
ana sanitary as some would have 1t appear now
are we to excuse the large body of the Northern
members for failing to support it 1t is held
forth by some as the very act that has saved the
Union Are we then to justify the 1o6 mem.
bers of the House, and 81 Senators, for refusing
to support il! Can they be called by any mder
name than traitors and Disunonists!
The York Republican says the Constitution
must be respected, but that this law is uncon-
stitutional. Hear him.
This provision of the Constitution is, like all
the. other provisions of that instrument, to be
observed and obeyed but the laws intended to
| enforce it must be constitutional. Human lib
erty is sacred thing, whether it is claimed as
pertaining to white or black man, and the hui
manity Of the common law makes every intend
ment in favor of freedom. Prima facie we
suppose every man is freeman; and he who
i L.. L.. i Il