The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-07
proxr... of tn. Abolition Game.


Progress OF tho Abolition Game.
1t would seem that the Abolitionists Of the
North are to find efficient allies in foreign in
cendiaries. Mr.. GEORGE THOMPSON is labor
ing to instigate the citizens of Canada to join
with the Disunionists, in multiplying the laws Of
the United States. He has been lecturing on
the slave question to large audiences at To
ronto, in company with FREDERICK DOUGLAS.
They denounce the scheme of African colonial
ton. They advise the fugitive slaves not to
seek refuge in Canada and the citizens of
Canada no doubt sympathize in the advice
which is intended to preserve them from the in
flux of an expensive and dangerous population.
They advise the fugitives to "stand their
ground"-with the view of armed resistance to
the execution of the Federal laws. They adj
wise the fugitives to strengthen their own hands,
and those Of their brethren in the States, by the
return of those who have taken refuge in
Canada. This is the recommendation of an
alien, directly interfering with the institutions
of the United States, and designed to create a
breach between the people of the North and the
South, and to induce the dissolution Of that
Union whose strength and prosperity have be-
come formidable to foreign powers.
Under these circumstances, a joint commit
tee of the Massachusetts Legislature, under
the lead Of Mr.. BUCKINGHAM, are playing into
the hands Of this foreign emissary. They are
engaged with Mr.. THOMPSON in the same
scheme of disorganization and dissolution.
They are bent upon multiplying by State action
the Legislation of the Federal Government.
Willing to aid their unhallowed enterprise, we
perceive that Mr.. RANToUL has taken the field
for Congress in the Essex district of Massachu-
sets, on the ground ofcertain resolutions, which
we reprint, for the purpose of making few
comments:
''Resolusd, That the Constitution OF the United
States has not conferred upon Congress the power
to enact any law authorizing officers Of the United
States to determine the slavery or freedom of per-
found within the territory Of any State, and
to convey them out of the State wherein they are
found to be held a. slaves in another State.
"RssolUed, That no person in any State of this
Union can be lawfully deprived Of his liberty with
out due process of law, which process, in the
of alleged fugitive from service, ia a suit at
mon law, wherein the fact whether said fugitive
WINS lawfully held to service in the State from which
he is alleged to have escaped, shall be determined
by trial by jury.
'Rssolped, That such trial by jury should pre-
cede the delivery into the hands Of the party claim
ing him, of such alleged fugitive, and should be
had in the vicinity where the said alleged fugitive is
found.
"Resolved, That, in the determination ofthe quss-
ton ofliberty all presumptions Of law and fact
and ought to be in favor OF liberty.
"RssoIyed, That the Fugitive Slave law enacted
by the Congress lately expired, contravening these
principles. is unjust, unconstitutional, in deroga
ton of the fundamental maxims of free govern
ment and ought to be speedily and forever re-
pealed.''
The Essex district is the hot-bed of Adolf
tionism. Mr.. RANroUL is Democrat, and
before the recent coalition Of the Democrats
and Abolitionists in Massachusetts, has been
regarded, we believe, as politician Of rather
national views and notions. His late course
has tended to estrange him from the sounder
part of the Massachusetts, Democracy. He
finds that he has made fatal blunder, and that
it is easier for him to go forward with the Free
solers than to recede. His recent experience
in the Senate has satisfied him that he has ire
vocably lost caste with the Democratic party of
the Union, and he has decided to join hands
with the Sectionalists. He has taken his side,
and will play oat the game. He is restrained
by no principle or patriotism where his person.
al ambition comes in conflict with the interests
of the country.
Ii may be seen that Mr.. RANrouL goes the
entire length with the Abolitionsts in the
views he has announced with regard to the
Fugitive Slave bill. Though the Constitution
declares in terms, that fugtives from labor shall
be given up on claim, Mr.. RANroUL denies
that the power of giving effect to this clause
of the Constitution has been given to Con-
grsss The practice Of the Government since
its foundation, and the decisions of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, he sets aside with
out hesitation; and advances the doctrine that
the power set up under them does not exist in
the Constitution.
limo person in any State Of this Union can
be deprived Of his liberty without suit at
common law, instituted in the State where he
is arrested, what becomes Of the power by viz
tue Of which fugitives from justice are arrested
every week in the year, and taken from the
States in which they are found to the States in
whisA they have been charged with crime
f"dne process of law" means necessarily
ssuit At common lawn-and the residue of
Mr.. RANTouL's second resolution is admitted