The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-09-20
an FncIrIYE sLAYE ~.

mind the proyiaions of thn Fugitive Slave
law, Cor We may soou be called 60 art under
10 requirements Although rw II any fgI-
dives are located iu Vermont yet sonn If
those unfortunate individuals yot remain iu
Boston, New York aud other northern cities
who are now living 10 constant apprehension
Of being seized 10y fome oi ibe 'laye-ealehsp
with che law rgfnel 90, has encouraged 10
prowl about our free states A. the danger
increases fitey arr nur uftur HHUrtHr1 ErTr6fIy
making their way into Canada, and many Of
them pass through Ibis State An arrest iu
this State may impose certain duties on our
citizens n viii be seen by the following OK
tract from the Fugitive Slave Law
They Che Commissionor) shall grant Ger
ldcates 10 claimants, upon fatisfaot6ry proof
With authority 10 take and remove such tuFi
lives under tho restrictions hereiu contained,
10 the State 90 Territory from which such
persans may have escaped Of aedr aaA shall
receive 10 full Tor services, Geo Of $40, II a.
ceriidcato is-grauted or Of ss,when tle prof.
daes not allow the granting On certificate, in
alher ease to DO paid ty the elaimlnL'T-
(llern Il viii be observed 10 bribe OF 90, Of
frred the Commissioner 10 decide IN favor
Of the claimant In Cohrts, he Judges re-
cciye the same compensation which ever par
IS i successful, and no respect Is shown 10
persons,) "And the better 10 enable the
said Commissioners 20 execute their duties
faithfully aud efficiently, they are hereby
empowered within thair counties respectively
TO appointed In writing any suitable persons
from time TO timcto execute al such process
es as may be- Issued by tlcm 10 the lawful
performance OF tbe,r respective duucs, with
authority to such Commissioners, or the per
sons 10 be appointed BY them, 20 execute
process ~ aforesaid, 10 summon and caH 10
heir aid ME by-sioHders or posse eogmai'" Of
the proper County, whom necessary, aud tho
persons thus appointed shall each receive
from the claimant e., for each person arrest
ed and taken before a Commissioner, with
other reasonable foes for additional necessary
soryircs. IN good c'dsess 'se hereby com
manded 10 aid and assis % ne prompt and II
fcieHi erccuiioH ofhl lac, whsaeree he'r
services mag 10 required ~ qi0reidm for .hgi
purpost, add said warrants shall run and be-
executed by said officers any wher' ia the
State within which thcy are issued"
Here there il imposed on all oar eitizens
the imperative duty Of aiding, when called
upon by the Commissioner o. asB one appoigi-
cd BY lda, in arresdng any person c'ai0ied a.
fugitive slave and the doctrine noy cur
rent among many Of Our leading politicians is,
that We have no right q. raise the question,
wLcihur we can coasrienliously perform that
duty. Conscience. according 20 their teach
ings, must be banishcl from our vocabulary,
aud We must yield mute obedience 20 the
enactment, Of our Legislators. nor even ven
turc 20 question their wisdom or cSpcdicnoy,
nor 20 opcu our lip, in favor Of repeal or
modification. These sentiments are advora-
ted by some Of our learned disincs also, who
have discovered that man Is bound CO.. ohcy
the civil Law. even Mhen he helirAca il tn be
/ ia direct contraycnton Of the law Of God.--
| Il remnins therefore, that Nll good citizens Of
Vermont are bound imperatyely by thislNy,
TO leave thtir ordinary pursuits when called
upon, and assist the slavo-catghur in the pur-
suit OF his victim. There is no possible alter
native. The law is explicit, and SOME por'
ton. II laaGt ofholL s,4f i.:ri ssIri zlsr9fss=
al teachers insist that VIC must no, decline
rendering active service in running down
and catcbingthe poor fugitive, on account Of
conscientious scruples. Should wc,thcrofore,
be called upon 10 render any such aid, It Is
/ n a. Il. .lta.V hat
no choice in the matter, the free citizens Of
/ Vermont arc condemned by this law TO be
slavc-ca,chcrs, and with their own hands Ia
conAign human beings to hopeless soryitude
Ito iron slavery.
-'' Another section Of this fugitive slave law,
is well worthy Of attention, since VIC arc LA
bic S sSI, i e qgsEasyGSNlGdSahse rhcrc s
-. ,,ro,utt ii-i.ssiiion on the part Of The Gcn-
sJ5us sgss Of our Green Mountains, to aid lho
oppreAsSd--to help forward those who are
striving for their iberty-to rebuke wrong
and injustice. but this law requires us to
seal up the fountains Of generous emotions,
and to look with cold indifference OH the Of.
forts of the slave TO recover hEginblienablc
rights. "'
Section q Any person who shall know
ing'y and willingly obstruot, hinder or pre-
vent such claimant, his agent or attorney, or
any person or persons lawfully assisting him.
her or them, from urresting such q Might've
from service or labor, cfher Nth ;or,l iri,sow
process, asjaiorcsaid; or shall rescu9 or ut
tempt to rescue such fugitive from service or
labor, from the custody of such claimant, his
or her agent or attorney or other person
or persons lawfully assisting when soarrested
pursuant to authority herein given or shall
aid, abe or assist such person SO owing ser
vice or labor directly or indirectly TO escape !
from such claimant, his agent or attorney, or
other person or persons legally apilaerizryf us1
aioresaidi or shan hdrb1r or conceal such fti- !
gitivc so as to prevent the discovery or arrest