Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-15

act under it, is bound to disobey it. and assist in trus
| trating its operation.
Resolved That since liberty, in the words ofthe de-
claration OF independence, an "inalenabIe RIGHT
and the right of every shave to his freedom is ALWAYS
and everywhere perfect, savehodng, which robs mer
of this inesmabe brttrigh is the greatest of cr;,es
Resolved, That the Declaration ofIndependence ,wa,
not mere manifesto, but legislative act. adontec
and ratified with unusual soemnly, by virtue Of which
the North American States become thenceiorth united
and independent nation.
Resolved, That this great charter has never been re
peaed or altered but still remains the original and finn
damental law Of this Union the corner stone of GU,
oer.y as nd! Iy and lndependenee as nation
when It uttered these memorable words 1--WE hold
these truths to be self evdent that all men are Great
equal-that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inaenable rights-that among these are le
liberty, and the pursuit of happness"-eave legisl,
tive sanction to the great principles which it thus rro
claimed; and that slavery was thsnceorh stamped al
Illegal throughout the United States by the very let.
ter othe orig nal charter which made them nation
Resolved, That the clause in the constitution res.
pecting ugitives from service or labor cannot legally
be applied to slaves, tor the following among Other
reasons lst Because such construction is
with the Declaration of Independence in subordinaton
to which the constitution must be construed I'd Re-
cause is inconsistent with the great object of the
constitution as declared its preamble, to establish
justice and secure the blessings ofberty 3d. Becanse
there are other large classes of persons in the United
States to whom its words are clearly applicable and
1t ought not to be extended to others in violation of
guage.
Resolved That if the constitution 10 its true mean
ing. required the surrender of fugves from slavery
the provision tor that purpose would be utterly void in
law, because requiring the commission of crime
Resolved, That the Fugitive Slave Bill with all ito
cognaes ss be blotted from the statute book of the
nation on which 1t now stands, libel upon both the
consll'lton ana upon the genius of our government
Resolved, That each and all of those men who bring
COMMISSION to represent Massachusetts in the CONGRESS
OF the United States and who by their speeches. their
votes or by cowardly retreat from their post in the
hour OF peril, contributed 10 the enactment of This law
have proved themselves traitors TO liberty to humanity
to the nation and to the high trust conided to them
by the citizens OF Massachusetts; and that each and
an OF them SHALL as soon as the aot box can reach
them be released from further service in the counses
OF the natoncto reap in their retirement the almost
unsurpassed nfamy to which their memory is doomed.
that they have laid themselves upon the altar Of Nam.
they have laid there.
RESOLVED, That as men, as citizens Massachusetts.
and as citizens OF the United States we will never rest
until we rest IN DEATH or in the accomplishment of this
our deliberately formed purpose.
LETTER FROM VIM H. SEWARD
AUBURN, April S, 1851.
Dear Sir--Your letter, inviting me to attend con-
yenon OF the people of Massachusetts opposed 10 the
Fugitive Slave law, and to communicate in writing NV
opinion on that statute i'll should be unable to attend
Inc convention, has been received.
While offering the pressure of duties here too Iona
ossf-o as an apology for non-attendance prav Won
70 re he committee in whose behalf you act of nv
-eo e use OF their courtesy and kindness. 1t would
s ~ hoEor TO be invited to address the peope of Mas
aatnsit 90 any subject; but it might well satisfy oe
iss arnolsn 10 he called upon 10 speak To that oras
sfn1 enlightened Commonwealth, on question of hu-
issso fi2fIis and ciyi. Liberty.
confess, sir, that have earnestly desired not To
ngs The popular discussions ofthe measures of the
last Congress. The issue necessarily Involves The
ciane OF ihen advocates aud advesares in the public
councils 10 the confidence of the county Some Of
those advocates have entered The popular arena crmi
na'lng those from whom they have differed: while
oners nave enoeavored, by extraordinary means either
W conuoi oscussoD, or TO suppress it altogether and
mus they nave shown themselves disqualified by PREM
ace or interests, for practising that mpartiaty and
cahoor which the occasion demanded.
am unwilling even seem TO irnpIy nv reitera,;no
arguments already before the public either anv dss;
OF Inc position OF those with whom stood in Congress
or lpatence Tor that favorable popular yerdc, ,hcb
believe TO be near, and know 10 be ultimately ear.
Nevertheless, there be no improprety in nv de-.
carng, when thus questioned the opinions which w
govern my vote upon any occasion when the Fugitive
Siase law snail come up for review in the nst,o
Legislature. think the act sipgularly un,yse
II IS an attempt by purely ederatve government 10
extend me economy ofsave States throughout States
cal evil ANY despolic government wouId awaeo sa
dillon from Its protoundest slumbers by such an at-
tempt
The attempt by this government has aroused eops,.
tutlona resistance heh will cease until the effort
shall be relinquished He who teaches another faith
than this, whether self deceived or not. misIea ads
THINK Also that tine attempt unnecessary: that
polIucai ends-merely political ends-and not real
evlls, resulting from the escape OF slaves constituted
the prevailing motives to the enactment,
think, also, that the details of the measure are indie
ienslble that the denial the alleged fugitive OF trial
OF his alleged obligation TO labor, and of his escape
from IT, by court, and nothing less than court OF JUS
tce, consutuonay oragnized, and proceedngiaccord-
ing 10 Inc course OF the common law within the State
%neie ne Is claimed is pap.by in derogston of the
constitutions that the rules OF evidence which the law
pescfbss are oppressive of the weak and deienceess
and mat Cnrlsiendom might be searched in vain for
parraliei 10 the provisions which make escape from
eondage crime, by law retroactive in its effect and
without Limitations OF time favor the presumption of
freedom, which, under rigorous penalties. COMPEL free
ne 70 aid n The capture Of slaves and which offer un-
MISTAKEN Inducements to false claims and false iude
menls. Final whatever changes Of opnions obeSs
may nave undergone retain my earl est CONVICTIONS
"r,s ' o be provision which the law pur-
,ol.s 10 pe founded, Y merely compact between the
STATES and that the Congress OF the United States have
Nor is the law, which is so obno.;ou ,.ols con,