The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-09
Governor Johnston, OF Pennsylvania and
the Fugitive Slave LAW.

The following is that pOruon of the message OF
Governor Johnston 70 the Legislature Of Pennsyl.
vanIa relative 70 the Fugitive Slave law and Its en-.
forcement-
In relatien TO the extension of slavery and the
upty OF faithful observance OF her federal obga.
tons by the commo nwedth, the views expressed
IN former messages remain unchanged. There is
nothing, IN my Judgment, in the history OF the
past, nor 10 The warnings Of the future, to justify
the abandonment OF the principles, sscredy re-
gerdtd from The foundation Of the State, OF non-n
ieryention in the domestic policy Of other COM
munints, and Of resouie determination OF per.
hitting no interference with our own. Fidelity ia
the discharge Of constitutional duty as distinguish
ed our governmen. and people, and if an opinion
exists within, or has been mlschevously propagated
beyond our borders, that such is not the fact,
y - conceived in error Of our rae history Pennsyl-
wanna, her people, and her authorities. always have
been loyal 10 the constitution They wish II
neither g. BE- eyaded nor amended They will not
permit IL to be resisted
IL has been minated that on questions connect
ed with the institution Of slavery, and the rem
dtion OF ugitIves from labor, there have been in
dcations oi disregard OF her constitutional obli-
cations To the clause OF the constitution relative
10 fugives from labor, gnd the legislation under II,
there ever has been in Pennsylvania, with all her
avowed aversion 10 domestic slavery, implicit
obedience Wild an earnest desire that, by free
interchange Of moderate and rational opinions
obedience 10 the law may Ne made, not OILY i'm.
plcit, but cheerful Il y proper to refer 10 some OF
the difficulties m reiatoR 70 the subject, new exist
ing in the public mind
fugiyes rom labor, involves these propositions -
L. That involuntary service or slavery may exist
IN the States oftbe Union by constitutional recog.
milton. z That the escape " the person 80 held
shall not operate a. discharge from such service
or labor = hat on the claim II the party 10
whom such service . due, there must be rendI-
ton ~ the fugiuye
To interfere Nv legislative enactment, or Other
wise, 10 destroy or N any way affect the right Of
property recognize IN .he hrst proposition, would
he daring uolauoa ol the clear obligations Of the
constitution. No human being can pretend that by
this commonwealth such an Interference has ever
been attempted Whatever may be the feelings of
the people in opposition 70 the further extension %
slavery and the consequent increase OF anttrepub-
hctn ana sectional representation N The national
legislature, no effort has ever been made 70 disturb
~ destroy The vested rights of citizens " other
States; and when those rights may BE- endangered
~ me escape 81 slave beyond the limits u the
State whore the relation i acknowledged, our
citizens have acted On the princirle that rs sym.
pHiby with individual suffering on ht ever 10 weak
en- their sense q duty = The plain requirements Il
the organic law
In The a. lstmsm II rights and ofi-ial duies
under The lsst proportion, difficulty has been
found to exist Bv whose agency i the fugitive
o. - given ~ What force j. . he given q The
word " Claim," used ~ the constitution Is
not the delivery q the futiuve 10 he made only
through the agency 81 the national government
Jhsse have been yexed and mooted questions ~
The hnal declncn - the supreme Court 81 the
Jnited states. 10 4 case % which Pennsylvania
was made party, aud The recent Fugiliye Slave
Law, gave Iud .ci8l ADD legislative Interpretation
o. tbs clauer 81 the constitution. which cannO, Be
miatpprfhendsd The power and duty a enact
irg laws 10 carry inIo effect the constitutional d.
recuon, being ruled "a ~ ~ Congrcss, and ia Con
prtss a. y, any Interference ID the part ~ me
Staie suihofiuesis Unauthorized AMI without bind.
irp force
~ the constitution implies duty 10 he reformed
BY both national Fand STATE governments. and vrs
each with power over the subject. the trainers of
that INSTRUMENT fatt ~ eKqress in clear terms. a.
N sW al 60 #awHtNH ~