The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-29

From the Portland Eastern Argus, April Is.
Judgs Woodb arys Charge
We commence to-day, aud shall conclude 10. morrow
The publication OF Judge Woodbury. charge TO the grand
jury The opening OF the United States circuit
"Wednesday. We commend II 10 the attention and con-
sdeTauon OF all readers IL 10 entitled 10 careful
perusal both OF the distinguished source from
which il comes, and from the grave Importance OF the
subject which il treats, and are greatly mistaken
If every who reads il does not hnd himself amply re-
paid for the time and attention which II may have cost
him
The aluson 10 the ordinance OF 'S7 and its eminent
auLor cannot TAIL to attract the public notice The pro-
vision OF the ordinance TO which Judge Woodbury. refers
IS the following;
"P,ouidad aAoays. That any person escaping into the
territory from whom labor Is lawfully
ciimed IN any Of he original States. such fugitive may
ne lawfully reclaimed and conveyed 10 the person claim
INK his or her labor or service as Aforesaid"
This adopted prior TO the adoption OF the constiu
ton and we believe while the convention which formed
the constitution In session-the constitution, there
fore, in this matter only reaiirmng principle which
had already been embraced in the ordinance OF ST That
by both OF these instruments the rendition OF fugitive
slaves clearly contemplated we have never seen de-
NAL from any respectable quarter. The manner OF DIS
charging constitutional duties on this subject may
have given rse at The North TO some honest differences
of opinion hut much iha, has heen said upon this
point by the extreme abolitonss has been sad fear
much with reference any expected change in the
existing mode OF dschaging these duties as with The de-
sign TO prevent any discharge OF them at all Yet as
honest men, are truly bound TO obey the cOastu
ton this matter are 10 obey upon any matter
and agree with the Augusta Age that our obligation
to this obedience rests upon higher Than the opn
ions Of any the enacments oi any particular law,
however much may be strengthened by these causes
The Age tays:
"Wih an equal deestaon of tho cant of abolonism on
the hand and OF Webserism the other, should sup
port the rendition claim OF the South, merely because
Of the men, OF The late Congress nor because that
constituted part of the Compromise so called,
but because the faith OF the Stale and OF the Union is
pledged 10 us upholdntnt in the compact which constitutes
the chart Of the republic
THE CHARGE.
GEsTLgmEs or GRAND JURY In the regular admins
ralon Of the laws sometimes when be-
comes he duty of the invite your attention par
have bad the misfortune be orcbly assaed though by
small portion Of the commany-it the public officer.
Willie enforcing them, have been resisted with violence
and this at noonday and in the very temple OF ustce-t
Is breach Of The public peace highly nag'an, 10 chaae
and furnishes urgent examine the subject will,
It's par. of our eoas,ions Obligation, 10 secure an
tu,bed administration OF the laws, and held the
muny at large from repetition OF rio,ous disorders by
prompt and exemplary punishment, of offenders and il is
due to the peaceabe portion of the people separate from
cri,uina'e ban Of condemnation.
The circumstances advened to are supposed 70 have re-
tendency, and liable occur again, and in district
ol II no, duly noticed. shall invite the attention Of The
grand jury in each the subject, the time
granla ing those who may reside where nothing of this
kind has happened their good fortune thus fnr-he
evnced That the aricipators The violence
erred TO. aud those who counenauce hem very ewin
so moral and intelligent community on hit C. ally 10
be believed. unless the latter Tail 70 warnlnr exam
pie o. tho guilty. La making .aaa "a .nps l. IS true
same time without being Negligent ns to The rights OF the
government OF The whole Union devosed on our protection
IN some respects within thls region Of our common
country
s. lar therefore, the subject Of this
nected with restraints on human liberty, is cena'n cal
10 cause symPa'hy and in some respects to excuse
error of opinion But While tolerant must be- 10 all
differences OF mere opinion aud TO free discussion YET II
they end in bad Conduct ali must reprobae and courts OF
unchangedshould rove free air Freedom OF speech,
too while disconnected with the disturbances OF public
bodies and the pubic tranquility with ersona SANDER
o. basphemy or exhotIatons TO volence may be Wild as
that vent, safety valve, harmiessy, without dan
geroas explosions but proceed TO deeds. force, to ia
vocauons the actual commission OF Crimes the public
Dissertation OF the axs and tho destruction OF ORDER and
The whole Of the changed aud punishment
must be Inflicted, ruinous anarchy Is inevitable.
These ,ast have always constituted penal offence by
the laws OF the land. and not by the fugitive slave laws
merely though the enforcement of these last have
the nedate occasion for most Of The recent excite
napt aud Outbreaks.
Bot matter OF fact whether these laws be defective
IN form consnrable IN operation-be liked dtsiked
by many Nortis not the great inquiry Tor you or
nus on ptese Mt occasion That would be very
material Tor us legislators had convened 10 discuss
them in Jadcial capacity, your duty to ascertain
whether IN point OF fact the execution OF them by the
day appointed officers has been resisted force and
Ibis st advised be repeated, and should
by our oath- duties, and the safety of society, be
Nor the question OF opinion whether slavery
generally wrong, that point in New England
there Is probably only one opinion but IL is whether,
where this insution is soleuny recognised in
States by the constitution and Congress and
must continue 10 DO recognised by the restoration Of the iu-
guvo ill those States choose 10 abolish II, till the
,ution aud OF Congress this point altered, any
individual lushed, and bc let ished, for
ackig violently the pablo iunctonares order
vent tue due performance this matter OF their official oh
ligatioss
would fain believe that many have erred this from
want OF due examinations and discrimination, rather than
nischeyous designs and do not, therefore, deem
smiss this among oher remarks attempt
soften undue pIeJudices VIII Gu might lead further
breaches OF these laws, render
10 punish attacks them when inited with brute
ioics
Looking the history of slavery in this country dispas
opnop 10 The necessity OF some provision this DELE
topic At the North 10 continue all united the
South aud looking at this and imperative obligations
at every hazard To sustain the laws TIL directly repealed
h.c -ti iess Of conduct rnens
drnunciaous aud indeed, such violence
oder, and, by polutug the sanctuary OF with
anarchy and crime, strike at the OF all organtzed
cieiy.
is well known OF you that before our revolu-
ton the parent county had allowed Aidcan slaves
ntroIucd into all he colonies for purposes OF labor, and
had vindicaied the moral right do has been
by celebrated ~ the King SPAN
lS7ou tbe ground that OF them already slaves
by in and other caamiies, and that such
purchase, they deprived of hbery but their ex
their condiuon oivl,z,d, humane, and cnig
by Christian principles But, wiihoni uphodIng the snl
cheney OF this Is thai when that great
arrived fathers found the insulation fastened upon
them and in several instances against their
and they proceeded, therefore, TO do with ii