The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-23

]
the public at large.
Its just the fugitive because the instant he is
pursued and arrested, that instant, according to
this law, he is under the broad and powerful pro-
lection of the laws Of this nation. [Applause
He Is no longer in danger of either committing
| or provoking riot. He is no longer in danger of
| being waylaid by those who come across our bor-
| ders, with false and fraudulent claims. He Is UNI
der the protection of the Constitution and Laws of
the United States 1t is just TO the owner, because
1t is equally careful with respect to him; and it is
just to the great people of the United States, by
lorestaing and preventing everything in the shape
| OF difficulty and disorder. i say to you in addi
ton in reference TO this law that it is expedient
| aw-and why do say that Why, you are Amer
| leans; you know the principles of your Constitu-
| tlon you know your immediate rights are depend
ent upon having those principles faithfully execut
ed in practice. Well, taen, il is expedient, with
| view 10 satisfy all those who are interested in this
great question, thus stated in the Constitution of
| the United States, that their rights will hencefor
ward be signaily protected by the people of the
| United States. [Applause,]
viii not recur to the peculiar propriey that this
| emphatic language should be held by those who
| are citizens of the State of Pennsylvania There
| are reasons which will occur to you all why the
| language of this meeting, and the resolutions
passed here to. night will speak to the anxious and
doubling and hitherto distressed and vexed citizens
of the South in tones of hope, consolation, and
hdence. [Appausel 1t is expedient that we
| should do soft is expedient that they who live
who flourish, who are in the enjoyment of all the
liberties of the Constitution of the United States
within the sound Of that glorious bell that s over
the Hall of Independence-it is expedient that We
here upon this locality, should be strong, emphatic,
| unequivoca, frank, and fearless, in asserting the
| principles and practice OF the Constitution OF the
| United States
believe fellow citizens, as firmly as that l am
| standing in your presence, that upon the faithful
| adherence to the obligations Of the Constitution
upon this great point, depends either the Union or
| the peace of America. ! know well the power Of
| numbers to enforce the Union but Heaven defend
| US from horrible result that-Heaven de-
| end us from enforcing it with consciousness of
wrong in our breasts against our injured fell
| low citizens under the same government. APP
plause. Let us stand by the Constitution. and the
Union will last, trust, by the experimenting care
ofthe Almighty, forever. [ApPlausel 1t is a wise
| Union. Ii any form of government has received
| the smile and blessing Of God, it is the American
| form of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and have
only to be true to that in order to continue to enjoy
his favor and protection. l will now read to you
| the resolutions.
MIR. Dallas then read the following resolutions
| /. Resolved, That the Constitution of the United
States, which was wisely framed for the purpose of
establishing "more perfect Union,' and "to Sc
cure the blessings of liberty" to unborn genera
irons, has fulfilled the objects of the patriots who
assembled in convention in the name and on be-
half of the people of the United States, and is en
tied TO the veneration and support of their "poster
| ity."
| ,. That, in succeeding to the guardianship of
| liberty land the Union, which were achieved by the
| blood of our fathers, we have inherited obliga-
it would be equally base to forfeit the National In
dependence, and to fail in allegiance to the National
| Union.
g. That the care of the Union is a sanctfed
trust and ought TO be dear TO every American; but
those citizens especially its guardians who,
standing on the spot where independence was de-
clared, where the Constitution was framed, and
where the Union rendered more perfect,
stimulated to its preservation and find additional
motives for the exercise Of that pious duty in sur
rounding memorials of the past; and here, on the
very ground upon which our heroic ancestors de-
voted themselves to their country, we renew to the
same cause the pledges which they once gave and
gloriously redeemed. Of sour lives, our fortunes,
and our sacred honor"
{, That the Constitution provides that persons
SHIELD to service or labor in State under the laws
thereof escaping into another shall be delivered up
on claim of the party to whom such service or labor
may be due" For many years State legislation
contributed means to carry this constitutional pro-
vision into effect. When State legislation was re-
pealed, duty devolved upon Congress TO supply
its place. and it has been discharged in conformity
to fundamental law; and the enactments il has
adopted are entitled to the support of the whole
ton.
s. That our countrymen are law abiding people.
| They delegate to chosen representatives in the
Congress Of the United States powers of Legislation
limited by the Constitution; and they repose conf
dence in the acts OF a majority commensurate with
| the character of a republican government. When
individuals array themselves against the execution
of laws thus enacted, and by so doing trampe upon
the rights OF the whole people, they guilty of at
least moral treason; and it is the solemn duty of
the people to rise up in the majesty, and by carry
ing out the regular proceedings OF their represen-
tatives, TO vIsDIcATE THE SUPREMACY AND THE SOW
ERKIGNTY LAW.
6. That so much of the act Of Assembly Of Penn
sylvania as forbids any officers of the Common
wealth from giving effect To any act of Congress
respecting persons escaping from service in other
States, and provides penalties for taking cogni-
zance or jurisdiction Of the of any such fugi-
tive, ought to be al the earliest possible moment
repealed.
I. That further agitation OF the subject of slavery,
which has heretofore promoted neither the welfare
of the slave nor the cause of emancipation, be
productive of nothing but evil. 1t has been adj
justed by Congress, and with that adjustment il
should be permitted, in our estimation, to rest.
>. That the perman and stability OF the Union
are endangered by the oificious interference of ia
natical and dlsloyal spirits in the North with
Germs that do not belong TO them and by the cou,l-
teacttng violence Of disoyal spirits in the South.
Mutual denunciations resound from those opposite
quarters, and threaten undscriminsting injury and
wrong TO the whole country, We believe these de-
nunciations to be without adequate cause-to be
prompted by angry feelings rather than due rcfcc-
ton; TO manifest, by their conflicting arguments,
tending 10 the same fatal results of dissolution and
anarchy that truth resides with neither. and that
hostility to the execution Of ersfing law must be
variance with enlisttsnsd reason We believe that
the series of statutes enacted at the late session Of
Congress, for the sake Of peace, passed in a
spirit OF patriotism and judcious compromise; that
they are in respect departure from the Consti-
tuition, and thai az i ia the obligation, it ought
10 be the desire of every citizen OF the Republic
manfully TO sustain them.
JOSIAH RANDALL, ESQ. then rose and said:
In secondng the resolutions Offered by my friend
Mr.. Dallas wish TO offer few remarks:
The question Of slavery in the United States has
at ali times created conflict Of feeling So far as
II depends upon the action of the Legislatures of
the different States IL is settled upon basis
which cannot be shaken. The constitutional pro-
vision may be stated in a single word-,lor- inter
(Tence-or, as II ia sometimes called, non inter
De,tion. Slavery is the subject Of domestic policy.
Each State, old or new, has the right TO admit or
exclude slavery, "a the people may determine, and
there is no power 10 prevent IL. Pennsylvania, or
any other free State, may reintroduce slavery
within its limits whenever ts Legislature may
elect TO do If the thirteen old States posscss the
power, the new States must also posseas IT, be.
cause, under the Federal compact, the States have
equal rights The admission or exclusion Of slavery
rests with the peoples and neither the ordinance Of
1881, nor the declaration Of Congress in the adj
mission Of Missouri have any valid authority;
and Territories included within the intcrdie.-
ton, when admitted States have full right
TO establish slavery within their limits One thing
IL certain, that If they should exercise this power
there authority vested in Congress or any other
body, 10 dispute or set IL aside.
The important subject which now nritates the
4 l.,.. i. 4 r.