New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-28
BOSTON.
Bestsp Nations abOnt slave-Hantios and
slave-Hunters-A Volunteer Letter from
nm ola Subscriber.

notice with pleasure your editorials OF the
10Th and goth, on the action of the Executive IN
the matter OF the rescue Of " Shadrach." The
motives Of those who camor loudest for the sane
tity Of the Law, at this time, are becoming suil'
GENTLY potent Contemporaneous acts, or omis'
sions to act, often furnish the safest guide to the
real motive OF the act ia question Let us look
al few facts as they illustrate the motives oil
certain editors and classes. The honest masses
have not sufficient time TO investigate the truth
of partisan statements, hence the tremendous re-
sponsibility Of the Press, on which they so much
rely for their in Information. A corrupt Press avails
itself of this power to foster the ignorance aud
blindness on which it thrives. An honest Press
will strip off these DISCUSSES as fast as it discov-
ers them You must have observed the anxiety
of the Union presses $50 called to use the pres
tige Of Abolitionism, to bully and keep down the
really moral indignation which lows In this CON
munity against the disgraceiul Fugitive slave
bill. Their appeals are in substance as follows
Honest Citizens,-Friends of Law and Order!
don't be eptrapped by the Abolltlonists into com
hitting yourselves against this Fugitive slave
bill IL is law of the Union. BY dlsooeylng
or cOuntenanciDg the disObedlence OF any law
YOU foster a spirit Of dlSunton All laws mace
by the people are equally sacred all are equally
entitled to their protection; the man who under
takes to set up an exception is traitor to his
country. No matter what the temptation, whether
it be offered by conscience, by ambition, by love
of gain. by hatred of classes or individuals; tGw
lie the conscience Of the good citizen. II he be
private individual his duty is to enforce II with
he tongue and his example, and by discounted
sncing all who question its Supreme authority
If an Editor he must forget MS private preludlces
and opinions and uphold the law because " as the
lar But bis duty does not end here; he must
not be silent on any infractlon OF law, &c &c.
And thus they 60 on In fine phrase, running them-
selves into a most patriotic excitement, and their
wicked and selfish alOtiUes into the broad light OF
day. The hurried laborer or mechanic has not
time to cross examine them. He is caught with
the fine words kindles with the false fire and pro-
ceeds TO denounce all the efforts OF humanity to
stem the tide OF oppression. But here and there
thinking man carries bis Tunes or his Con
Yier" to Lis work leither in bis pocket or his
headl and as he gets his troWel or bis chlsel In
his hand. straightwEy falls to thinking, in this
wise: 1.-THE law must be respected-yes, al law
one as important as another. Yes, that's the
7,y1ncfple of the thing Now, let's see what the
Editor SAYS about the Thompson mob at Spring.
field. Nothing against it What, not word
What can be the meaning of this Aud then
he recurs to the editorial OF the day and reads
again: "An Editor must not be silent on any IN
fraction Of law" &c And then the light begins
TO dawn upon our mechanic, ard he feels the non
est Indignation of an honest man at this attempt
TO hoax him and his fellows and forthwith ne
imparts his new light to his CO workers, and they
10 Others and so the truth works TO wlndward,'
and God is praised by I" the wrath Of man."
So, then, it is not g. law in general" all law"
"the principle of the thing" bat the FagltiDe
Stare Lao 1t is not the freedom OF speech,
secured by the Constitution, nor the provision
that the "citzens Of each State shall be entitled
a.nfc inf ba
several States; nor the Usury Laws; nor the
License Law, but only the Fugitive Slave Law
And why this law in particular From its pecu-
liar righteousness in general, or it's peculiar adap.
tston TO the feelings and habits OF New Eng and
Oh, neither, surely. . Write TO the Editor and
ask him to define his position, Boss, says a labor
er! Oh, honest and green student OF politics,
your Bosss communication will appear to morrow
under the Editors table g",' '.'.ii H@ ro,tely
iriosraoa thes - the aole communication oi Clvls
has been crowded out by more important matterl'
And it will continue to be crowded out, and so
will you and all honest men be crowded out, as
long as YOU will consent to step backwards and
allow effrontery and fasehOOd to tread on your
tOes."
Then the question returns with new interest.
A cowardly, because dishonest Editor could keep
vour hard questions from the columns OF bis bass
shee&l,ut could not keep it from your mind or
your felgue; and at last you yourself begin 20
answer IL for bin, and the answer IS, Nv
Editors are afraid of the South we don't want
our trade interiered with; our patrons are
principally merchants, and II their Interests
suffer so will ours or they are rich and conser'
vatye. and if we don't write down agitation,
they will stop our paper and then,-where are
WEI We don't suppose any body bat the masses
really believe that we are so attached tothe Law
as We say we are for they must see we rather
favor thGnreprove, even mob II directed as aInst
Garrison or Thompson but then, we ron no risk
in this, for they are not popular, especially win
our patrons and rs to the iniracton otthe Osury
laws and the License law,-why our advertising
patronage must be considered and as TO the or
dinsnoe against smoking in the streets, why zee
think that is absurdity, and so does the Tran
script only look at his Advertisement OF yester-
day and then the Transcript has pretty much the
same circulation as ourself, and ne even goes so
far as TO advocate our Government interfering to
rescue the rebel Kossuth; fortunately we are
amenable to no man, and are not called on 10 de-
fine the distinction between violating our neigh
bor's law and our own law.
Thus will your Union Editors tactics and morals
become clearly understood, by degrees and the
people learn where not to look Tor au'lce Anu
guidance.
/ propose, Mr.. Editor, to write you one more
letter if you publish this In it shall show you
something of several persons prominently opposed
10 freedom in this city. | shall show you why
certain Commissioner boasted OF his readiness 10
act under this law; how his Subsequent mss
ings interfered with his ZEAL whose pupPet ne
was and who was his puppet; somewhat ao3ut
the District Attorneyship; shall show you whst
class of men, professional and other, Voiun'eoI
their services to defend. harbOr aid and purchase
Fugitives what men for there is no class OF Sucn,
praised be God volunteer for pay J to appear
against the Fugitive. few of these simple
facts which none will venture TO dispute WI
perhaps open the eyes of the South on the point,
how much of the "alacrity" Mr. Mason talks about
thew NAV reasonably expect at the hands OF Bos-
tonions, in carrying out this law. ,,,sr,cT
YOursfer ECU AL JOSAi"A'