Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-17
ne question perception one of mere formsltv or Ct

the question perception OF mere fomslity or Ct
courtesy.
It will be seen from the debate that the question
nnaly took this turn-several members expressing
themselves decidedly opposed to the bill but vet dis.
posed to treat as all other bills brought in were treat
ed, without reference to its character. Still there
were score OF members whose repuguance 10 the
bill and its objects could not be overcome bv such
considerations. and no voted for excluding The bill
1t came in under such circumstance and had its first
reading. Its further progress was arrested NV M
Thompson's objection.
ut will be matter Of establishment if bill of this
enomty shall ever attain consequence at the han Of
he mouse beyond what may be necessary for lssLml-
mary extradon.
We remarked the other day that the Disunion-
lists the South and the Abotionists ofthe North,
would equally deprecate the regular enforcement
OF The fugitive law. Is there not satisfactory evil
dence OF this in the following petulant language
used by the Charleston Mercury with reference
to the reclamation of Henry Long:
cat last we may congratulate the submission press
OF lhe south upon grand triumph Of Unionsm A
fugitive slave has actually been surrendered by the
North. Alter ten days trial. after an amount per-
jury enough TO sink another Sodom and an expense
tor Court lees equa the value of half dozen slaves
Henry Long, called delivered up by Judge Jud-
New York '"Ne'' anu Vi w e''es''S 'e"'o'eo from
"a Fugitive slave!" Mark the expression and
Judge how sedulous the disunion press is to de-
precate the true operation of the law. The case
OF the Crafts in Boston is the only case we can
now recollect, in which the law has not proved
efficient. New York City has delivered up two
fugitives; Philadelphia one, who proved not to
be the right one Harrisburg two or three; Bed.
ford ten and there have been various other recla-
nations which we cannot now recall. We re.
peat that the Crafts are the only fugitiyes who
have yet escaped the process of the law There
have been several instances in which the claimant
preferred getting the value of his propertyt to aid
ing in the establishment of principle, but these
should cote confirm rather than weaken the va
lidity of the law.
We stated too strongly yesterday, the effect of
the vote taken in the House of Represe natives
on Tuesday, with reference to the Fugitive Slave
Law. The proposition of MIR. McLanahan was
to suspend The rules in order to introduce his re-
solution that " it would be inexpedient and mpro-
per to repeal the law. " The vote on the motion
to suspend was, yeas 1913, nays "a. vote of
two.thlrds being required to suspend the rules,
the motion failed. Amongst the nays we find
the names of the following Southern members,
viz: Messrs. Averett, Mcdowell and McMuen,
of Virginia; Brock, CALDWELL Johnson and Mar
shall, of kentucky; Bowlin of Mo-; Jones and A.
Johnson of Tenn; McIane of Nd and Houston
OF Del. The on reason we can imagine why
these gentlemen voted as they did, is that they
were unwilling to have the subject of the Fugitive
Law introduced at all. But this objection ought
to have been outweighed by the consideration
that had the rules been suspended, Mr.. McIana-
hans resolution would Immediately have been
passed, and thus agitation in the House, for the
repeal of the law, positively we'll as negatively
estopped.