The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-08
From the Bunsle m. " Commercial ADVERTISE Apnl
Attempt at Modification q. tho n...aeha.st..

From the bunklo IN ~ Commercial Advertiser, Ami
Attsnpt at saiiinea,'on 4" tns Massachusetts. Son.
We learn, with mingled surprise and regret that Mr.
Buckingham long known as very able and effective
writer for the Boston press. and always esteemed as
man OF great Independence OF feeling and uprghtness Of
character has introduced IN The senate OF Massachusetts,
IN The name OF JOINT special committee. bill Intended
TO bring the judicial authorities OF the State into direct
conflict with those OF the United States. MIR Buckinv.
ham was wont TO be rational and moderate IN his views
and we regard his action IN this matter painful indi
Gallon OF the prevalence OF dsunlon sentiments in that
ancient Commonwealth Not that we have any serious
apprehension that the recommendation OF Mr bucking.
ham and his committee will be sanctioned by the people
or iayoaoly considered by the legislature The Boston
Advertiser links that even the senate, subseyena as
they have shown themselves TO the win OF the free soil
party will hesitate before they commit themselves 10 the
support OF the measure But the inlrod action OF such
bill is greatly TO be depored nasmueh as il will fnrn;.h
additional fuel 10 the lame OF discomfort now raging n
South Carolina, and give color To their allegation thai be
fugitive. slave law cannot be executed IN The North
This allegation is not true bat proposition OF such
faclious and disogsnizng characera bill devised for
the express purpose OF producing collision between the
judicial aud State authores-cannot be entertained in
branch of The legislature OF Massachusetts without work
ing great mischief.
The bill is entitled IAN act in addition TO an act fur
Their protect personal liberty" But, according to ia,
Advertiser It's title to be descriptive OF its object and Of
the sole Dtent OF It's movers, should be " TO prohibit by
hne imprisonment The execution OF ACT OF the Con-
gress OF the United States Tor carrying into effect the sec
ond section OF the fourth article OF The constitution OF the
| United States"
The object OF the BILL the Advertiser says although no
lntaton of il is given BY its title is as obvious as was
that OF the act of South Carolina in 1892, carry into
elect ordinance OF the State Convention "o nulliiy
certain acts oil the Congress OF The United States" The b
does not PROPOSE did OF the OF the State Of
South Carolina on that occasion, TO authorize the gov
enor 10 call out the militia to resist the execution of The
United States law but proposes to do what is intended
to produce the same efect-namely, by prohibiting any
officer other member Of the volunteer militia OF the
Common wealth from wing any requisilon OF the
United States marshal Tor enforcing the execution of the
law under heavy penalty, and thereby interfering with
The authority OF the Presdenl Of the United States 10
command the services Of the militia when called into The
service Of the United States also torbds any corps
such militia serving equston for the execution Of
the law, penalty OF being dlsbanded
! A more ill-timed and unfortunate movement could
hardly have been undertaken The tone OF feeling the
whole southern country, with the exception Of South
Carolina, has been improving Tor some time past The
pauouc course OF Virginia is Just beginning TO produce
salu,ary effect Her influence, aided by the evidence re-
Gently exhibited in the northern States OF determination
10 fulfil all the requirements OF The constitution must
have been potentlal-cerainly in all the other slave
States. and possibly in South Carolina also There was
reason to hope that had passed the crisis and thai
restoration OF harmony and alernal feeling would soon
ensue 1t is while The prospect was so bright, and all the
indications auspcous that this ill-sarred attempt
ma lie in Massachusetts, State that, beyond all Others
was bound to set an example oil prudence OF moderation
and Of oyalya Stale richer than any other in patriotic
associations and historic renoSn. We will not indulge
in any fears that the people OF Massachusetts will ap.
prove Of such nefarous proceeding II is indie
IensDle IMAM Anything ever OOutl caro-
lima. The bill contains provisions designed solely fur
nsh the means OF resistance TO law OF the United
States, under color OF Slate law. The legislature Of
South Carolina justified itself passing an act in def
ance of The authority Of the United States, the ground
that it was acting under the sanction OF ordinance
OF the people OF the State. passed in convention as
sembIed by the State. The legislature did not claim the
power to nuy law Of Congress by their simple lexs
latve authority, independently OF the ordinance Of the
convention The Massachusetts attempt at notification
have before described But independently of the gen.
eal object of the bill OF interfering with the execution Of
law of the United States in matter of which the u
risd belongs the national authorities by the
press OF the constitution, it contains according 10
the Advertiser ''somc provisions OF extraordinary
nature. Ii confers the authority OF issuing writ oil
haeas corpus upon every justice OF the peace Of the CON-
monwealih--an authority which, except in special
rarely occurring, by the existing laws, and always has
been, reserved only the justices of The supreme Judicial
court II authorizes the service OF such writ by con
stable well by sheriff his deputy and it seems
designed by virtue Of the writ thus issued, 10 take The
OF every fugitive slave out OF the hands OF the on
Ger by whom he may be arrested on the warrant Of
commissioner OF the United States and out of the
| troll OF The commissioner"