The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-19

1t is with no ordinary pleasure that we refer u
| the despatch, in another place. announcing the
final dscison in the of Mr. James Potter's fu-
gitive slave. 1t will be that be has not only
been remanded to his owner BY "the proper au-
thorities but that he has actually sailed for this
place He left Boston on Saturday, in the brig
Acorn, Of John A. Pearson Co.'s line OF Boston
and Savannah packets. It was in one of the ves-
sells Of this line, the Gilmore, that the slave es.
capped. The mode of his return as well az the ac-
tive exertions of Mr.. Pearson and Capt Eidridge
during the trial, will to all suspicion
of connivance at his escape. Having escaped in
one Of their vessels, it appears that the company
were anxious to convey him back in one Of the
same line.
In an article ON the 4th March, in regard to the
Shadrach case, we took occasion 70 say.
The truth IL, Me Fugitius SiGve latD must be ere
cssted in Bostow. The people of the South require
that It shall be done, not only an atonement for
past outrages, but in vindication of the Compro-
mise and the supremacy Of the Government. And
slaves in Massachusetts and especially in Boston,
will continue their efforts to recover them until the
question is settled. The law should be tested. 1t
should be decided-prnctically Observation-Disclosures
the country IL 10 be governed by Boston mobs by
the National Congress
Our wish that the Jaw might be s'tested" and
"executed in Boston" has been fully accomplished.
We consider the question "prastically de-
cided," not only in Boston, but in all New Eng
land. There was more doubt as to the enforcement
Of the law there than anywhere else in the free
States, that being considered the stronghold of ia
naticism. That doubt having been removed-the
law having been executed in open day, and under
the very of the Legislature in spite Of all the
efforts and denunciatory meetings Of the abolition
ists-our people may for the future dsmiss all APP
prehensons upon the subject, anu rest confident
that their rights will be fully sustained.
The thanks Of the whole country are due to Mr..
Potter for the energetic manner in which he has
prosecuted his claim. A man of large wealth, he
could very easily have afforded to lose the slave.
But resolved to test the law he informed his agents
that ten thousand dollars could not buy the slave
indeed, that he would not part with him for any
consideration. His object was more the establish
ment of the law than the recovery Of the negro.
His determination has been the means, we hope, of
putting the question TO rest forever.
The Union mon of the South may now hold up
their heads. The result shows that their conf
dence in the ability and willingness Of the Govern
ment, to enforce every part Of the Compromise, has
not been misplaced. We feel glad, too, that Bos-
ton has offered this "atonement for past outrages,
and that she has relieved herself of the foul blot
which she suffered her enemies, in an unguarded
moment, TO cast upon her ancient renown. Having
taken step in the right direction, we trust she
will continue in it until the laws successfully
indicated and she restored 10 the confidence OF
her southern brethren. There may be those amongst
US who will regret the result of the present case,
but let them go. They carry within their bosoms
their own punishment.