The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-05-10


which anti-shvery action is to be moulded and
directed. 1t matters not that neither right ls
found in the Constitution in connection with, or
relating to, slavery or fugitives from service
The rights of conventional liberty may be per-
verted, US they have been, and used to strike at
the very palladium in which it is pretended they
are lodged. Religion itself sometimes serves
to cloak the most nefarious purposes. GROIN
WELL fought the King in the name OF the King
The Union is being fought in the name OF the
Union. 1t has become !" a masked battery
destructive Of the rights it was established to
protect. And when the guardians OF popular
liberty pervert and misuse its watchwords to
attack the rights Of others, under the plea Of be-
slowing abstract liberty on race too degraded
ever to have achieved or maintained it, it POUNDS
their own destruction.
Our readers are aware that, in view Of the
greater outrages which the South has suffered
from the North, we do not attach the same i'm
portance to the notification Of this law that
many do. We predicted it would be inopera-
tivc-not from any inherent defect in itself, but
from want of loyalty in the people who were
to observe it. As, however, many feel deeper
interest in its results, we shall continue to ex-
emplify the soundness of the North on this point,
ablest anti-slavery leaders now seem directed to
restrain the "madness" of their adherents to such
methodical system as will best ensure their
ends and aims.
Hon. Charles r. Adams Letter.
j. p. blanchard, esq. on behalf Of the Committee.
BosTon, April 7, 1851.
Dear Sir For reasons unnecessary to be
detailed, | deem it inexpedient to avail myself
of the kind and fiattering invitation extended to
me by the committee for which you act, to at
tend and address the convention tomorrow.
My opinion of the Fugitive slave law has been
already publicly expressed, and what little share
of influence could exert against it, has been
exhausted live in the hope that there are
among US many who are awakening to sense
of the necessity of declaring themselves, and in
their favor /, for one, will most cheerfully con-
sent to stand back
You further ask me, if cannot attend, to
write word. have little to add, however, to
the sentiments already expressed upon former
OCCASION; unless it be upon the line of policy
which the enemies of the law may determine TO
adopt. On this subject know there is some
difference of opinion among them, and that
many counsel course of violent resistance.
which will infalibly bring them into conflict
with the power of the national government
With great Difference to the generous impulses
which prompt them, must nevertheless ven
ture so far to Disagree with them as to say that
in my poorjudgment, such action would be not
less mpoitic than indefensible The strong
sympathy with our cause now making itself
visible on every side, and needing but the repe-
tition of such scene as we have Just witnessed
here, to break over every remaining restraint, is
yet checked by prevailing want of confidence
in the judcious character of action,-a want of
confidence, be it observed, which our active op-
ponets do everv thing in their power to confirm
| from such evidence as we furnish 1t thus hap
| pens that many honest conscientious people,
who agree with us in sentiment, are vet deter
red from saying so by the fear of being associ
ated with persons they regard as fanatics, vision
airy, and disposed to overturn all authority.
state the case frankly, and as firmly believe il
to be, without any desire to hurt the feelings of
any one, but from single sense of duty to the
cause we all have at heart. The only way to
dispel these decisions is, in my judgment, to
show by our steady and consistent action that
they are such; and to present such policy,
,oithin the recognized limits of the laws and Con.
stiiution as may furnish position for general
union of all our fellow-citizens who value the
great principles of liberty for which our fathers
contented
lam not unaware of the objections that are
made among us to the adoption of what some
nj t;,x,;J
opposition in legitimate channels seems IN present
so distant a prospect of success as 10 dishearien
jealous spirits naturally and unjusfly impdtieru
under this tyrannical curb Whilst | cannot
wonder at the feeling, Of which confess co
terrain good share myself my calmer judy-
mcnt conviDces me that any indulgence of il at
this moment is but playing directly into the
hands Of the opposite side. 1t rarely happens
in this world, that wrong, when conquered at al !,
is overcome in day, by mere momentary pLy-
steal force We need for our guidance quite as
much Of the wisdom OF Ulysses as of the fiery
valor of his impetuous ally Onr aim under n
! popular government should be to secure tho
| hearty cooperation of all honest and conseiep
tious men in purpose which they cordially M
prove as legitimate, and sustain as practieabI :,
Without them our labor is lost pray that W,
may never lose sight of the proper means to pair
their confidence
| In rejecting upon the precise shape in which
we should present our case against the +, .,citiv
slave law, but single objection has occ ured I,
the demand of unconditional repeal, vet that h
a serious one. | understand that repeal would
be construed as reviving the provisions of tn,
law of 1893, law quite as snbve,.sive of tb
principles of liberty as this, and only les
odious because it is less maiyrantly effective il
its details Yet, as n choice between evils.
would gladly embrace that proportion, if wer
not that it would be regarded as settlement O
the question, and thattbs free States would still
be subject to demands upon tb EN- for the execu
ton of the constitutional stpulations. 1t strike
me that it is expedaut 10 meet these, once 70
ALL by proposition to place claims of this kin,
upon precisely the same footing with all othe
legal demands; that ia, to subject them to tn
examination of legal tribunal, TO the ordinar,
laws of evidence, and to the verdict of twelv
good men and true This seems to my judp
ment the only impregnabl position; upon tina
] should be willing to stand as an ul'timstum @
what the Constitution requires in beh alf Of slay