The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-12-06

elements. which is fast destroying them.
Great numbers Of lives and vast amounts
OF property, are annually lost for want
OF safe and convenient harbor, on the
lakes. None but those who have been
exposed to that dangerous navigation,
Can iully appreciate the importance of
this subject. The whole northwest ap-
pcals to you fer relief and trust their
appeal viii receive due consideration at
your hands.
he same is in measure true in re-
gard to some of the harbors and inlets on
the sea coast.
The obstructed navigation of our large
rivers is of equal importance. Our set
Elements are now extending t O the sources
of the great rivers which empty into and
form part of the Mississippi, and the
value of the public lands in those regions
would be greatly enhanced by freeing
the nnvl CATION olthose waters from OBJ
structions. In view, therefore, of this
great interest | deem it my duty again
to urge upon Congress to make such APP
preparations for these improvements as
they may deem necessary.
1t is deeply to he regretted that in sew.
eral Instances officers OF the Govern
ment, III attempting to execute the law
for the return of fugitives from labor,
have been openly resisted, and their eff.
forts frustrated and defeated by lawless
and violent mobs; that in one case such
Resistance resulted in the death of an
estlmable citizen, and in others serious
injury rnsued to those officers and to in
divlduals who We're using their endeav.
ors to sustain lie laws Prosecutions
have been instituted against the alleged
offenders, so far as they could be idrnt-
Il, d, and are still pending. | have re-
garded II as my duty, in these cases, TO
gives and legally in my power to the
enforcement oithe laws, and Shall con-
tinue TO DO so wherever and whenever
their execution may be resisted.
The act of Congress for the return of
fugitives from labor is one required and
demanded hy the express words of the
Constitution.
The Constitution declares, THAT no
person held TO service or labor in one
state; under the laws thereof, escaping
into another, shall, in consequence of
any law or regulation therein, be dis
charged from such service or labor, but
: shall be- delivered up on claim of the
party TO whom such service or labor
: may be due" This constitutional
provision is equally obligatory upon the
Legisiative the Executive, and judicial
Departments Of TIE Government, and
upon every citizen Of the United States.
Congress, however, must, from he
c',sity, first act upon the subject, bv
prescribing the proceedings necessary TO,
ascertain that the person is fugitive,
and the means to be used Tor his resto.
Ia ION to the claimant This was done
by an act passed daring the first term Of
President " ashington, which was amen
d"d by that enacted by The last Congress
and 1t now remains for the Executive
md Judicial Departments to take care
that tn sc laws ye faithfully executed.
TINS mi junction Of the Constitution is as
peremi tory and as binding as any 9TH,
er, it stands exactly on the same foun-
d4tlon a, that clause Which provides for
the return # f'lgilives from justice, or
that which declares that no till of al
tainder Or "a post arto law shall be pas
sed, or that which provides for an
equality OF taxation, according to the
census, or the clause declaring that all
duties shall b. uniform throughout the
United States, or the important provis-
ion ii at the trial Of all crimes shall be
by jury. These several articles and
clauses Of the Constitution, all resting
on the same authority, must stand or
lall together. Some objections have
been urged against the details of the act
Tor the return of fugiti,es from labor;
but 1t is worthy of remark that the main
opposition is aimed against the Consti-
tuition Itself, and proceeds from persons
and classes of persons, many of whom
declare their wish TO see that Constitu-
ton overturned. They avow their hos.
tility to any law which shall give full
~ r. o1''i 'hSel w tiiis requirement.
OF the Constitution. Fortunately, the
number OF these persons is comparative
~ small, and is believed to be daily d.
but the issue which they pre-.
sent is one which involves the suprema-
cy and even the existence of the Consti.
tuition.
Cases have heretofore arisen ir
which indiv ..duals have denied the bind
ing authority of acts of Congress, and
even STATES have proposed to nullify
such acts, upon the ground that the Con-
stitutlDn was the supreme law of the
land, and that those acts Of Congress
Were repugnant to that instruments; but
II ullifcation is now aimed, not so much
against particular laws as being incon-
81 ~ 1riib fb,, ( 'onet,},t,Dn