The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-08-07
SPEECH OF c. r. DUCKALEW.

sections Of The Siduc At Of is47.
Mn, SPEAKER willie listening 10 the
romarks of tho Senator from Erie (Mr.
Wslker,) it was natural 10 rocal 10 mind tho
celebrated exclamation of Madam Roland
before execution -
"0h Liberty what orimos are committed
in thy name p'-For can . political crime of
greater magu itude be conceived than the
ten16ng Of those bonds of affection and fra
ternal kindness which have hitherto boupd
together tho States Of tho Union, and which
have at all times rendered that connection
one of harmony and cfreicoe Our states
have no, boon kept together by force, but by
inclination and interest. In my judgment,
if there is any work in which a public man
can be engaged which is peculiarly mis-
chicvous, it is that Of inflaming tho pas
sions Of the community against n%oighboring
and independent communities, who bear to
US tho relation Of sister states, aud a har-
monious connection with which 10 required
both by our interests and our honor. The
tendency OF the doctrines advocated BY the
Senator from Erie, is 10 rupture the harmony
sad weakcn the ties existing between Penn
sylvania and either states Of tho Union, upon
a mawkish and sickly pre,ence of philan-
thropy. II is with aAollow cry of elderly"
upon our lips, that we arc invoked TO or
tend oar action beyond our state limits and
people, aaI assail the institutions and
people Of %neighboring and independent
states. Our state 10 to be seduced into ag-
g~ressive Legislation by appeals to that sen-
timeut in favor of freedom which is an emf
ncnt characteristic Of our people. For ore,
refuse to have any part in this work OF
folly and wrong, and shall steadily resist it,
from convictions Of public duty as deep and
earnest as they are unselfish and sincere.
How long sir, can our Union cxis, with
out mutual kindness and concord among it's
memberst Can united c~ounscls continue
in connection with evaporation and enmity.
The 10, of i847, which it is proposed to re-
peal acts harshly upon tho citizens Of other
states; assaiis rights guaranteed TO them by
the constitution, and insults them by the
studied malisui,y of it's provisions. It is
unneighberly, demonstrations and unkind 7;
and yet tho Senator from Eric rises in it's de-
fence!
boliove I know what arc the sentiments
of the people Of the i6ll, Senatorial District
upon this subject. A short ume before tho
commencement Of the present session, a
| Inrro snnnfino hall Nd n.py.lt. :ff 49,.
colleague of the House and myself tn sup.
pot the repeal Of the net Of 1917. A pre-.
vious meeting nj Wilkcsbarre was to the
same purpose, although tho proceedings
Those meetings I believe indicated truly
public sentiment in that section of tho
State to DO i'll favor of striking the nc, Of
1877 from among tho Statutes OF Pennsyl-
vania and in accordance herewith, my
vote shall be given, both as all act Of duty
and inclination, III the direction desired by
the people.
But, tho Senator FROM Eric asserts tina,
those who votc for tho repeal are actuated
by a spirit of subserviency TO tho South. Sir,
this sneer has bceu heard before, and i, is
as unjust ns il IS stale. Whence does the
Senator derive his right 10 pronounce such
judgment upon tho motives Of othcrss His
position in this debate is that Of a partisan
and not of a Judge, and he cannot impartial
ly perform the functions of the latter. No
ono upon this floor has aught TO expect or
fear from tho people Of other states, South
or North. We owe allegiance 10 our own
people and our conduct is opon TO their
judgment and must conform to their will.
Will the Senator from Eric accuse the peos
pie we represent of subserriencys they are
subservien,, but in a different sense from
that which the Senator intends. They are
subservient 70 the constitution and laws Of
the Union-to the spirit of the compac,
formed between the States in l7ss-and to
those principles Of good faith upon which
the perpetuiiy and prosperity Of the Tepub-
lie depend! Long may such subserviency
as this exist in Pennsylvania, connected as
it is with her interests, her welfare aud her
honor!
Mr.. Speaker 4: I, is desired to repeal the
act of 1917 from the third 10 tho seuentk Sec
tons, inclusive. The third section has
been already spoken Of by othors, und tho
objections TO il stated. Tho fourth section is
said TO BIO but u re-enucimcnt of tho CON-
mon law upon tho subiec, covered by it. 1t
is true that no man can exercise or enforce
even a legal right. in such a manner as to
disturb the public peace. For ths public
interests must always DO superior-be held
supeIior-to any private interest; ind where.
tho alternative is, that a riot DO created, or a
private right be yielded, tho individual must
waivo his right, or refrain from its immedi.
ate enforcement. But obviously tho intcn-
ton Of this fourth section, was, TO cast ON
insult upon tho claimants of fusitives from
labor and 10 express q feeling Of i'll will.
and hostility toward ,heru, MS veil as to tho
institution OF slavery w..,ich exists in, and is
sanctioned by mo laws of the states in
which they reside. II tho section imposes
distractions in the way Of the reclamation
Of f~ugitivos from labor, it is of c,urse un-
constitutional. II it add nothing TO the law