The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-04-25
From the Sauannah Republican, April a.
4i3 ltf The Return OF Sims.

Thomas Sims, the fugitive slave of Mr.. James
Potter, arrived here Saturday morning, on the
brig Acorn, Captain Coombs, and was by United
States Deputy Marshal Riley delivered over to Mr..
Bacon, one Of Mr.. Potter's agents. He came out
In charge of Messrs. Riley, Byrne, 6awin, and
Russell, United States deputy marshals, and
Messrs. Coolidge, Clarke, True and Dollivcr, spe-
cial officers and assistants. This large force was
detailed to accompany the fugitive back, not 80
much, we presume, to prevent rescue upon the
high seas to set an example before the northern
people Of the manner in which the laws of the
land will hereafter be enforced and vindicated.
Another object, doubtless. to satisfy the south
ern mind that this particular law shall be main
tanned and carried out with all the power and dig
nifty of the Government. When viewed in either
or both Of these aspects, such demonstration Of
the majesty of the laws and the supremacy Of the
Government cannot but be highly beneficial in al
laying the excitement and bad feeling, unhappily
existing to too great extent in both sections Of
the country. W y94-ea.F E
1t is pleasant duty to accord to the authorities
and people of Boston great credit for the firm and
energetic manner in which they have demeaned
themselves. II has been we'll remarked, that per-
haps nothing could have been asked Of Boston
moro distasteful than the surrender Of = runaway
slave, but the city authories the courts there, the
police, the public, have not asked what they liked,
but what was their duty, and that duty they have
faithfully discharged. What gives Importance to
this case, apart from the Difference it exhibits for
law, is that in the law courts, both of the State
and of the United States. the abolitionists have
been allowed full swing in the exercise of all their
legal bubbles and their legal ingenuity and that
they have been beaten in them all The supreme
court Of Massachusetts has unanimously decided
against them. The United States district court
has decided against them. The Commissioner Of
the United States has decided against them. They
have not legal point to stand upon. Indeed,
every point that has been suggested, or probably
that be- in regard to the constutionality Of the
law and the scope and several provisions,
has been decided. There is henceforth no room for
further quibbing. The law has been authoritative
ly cxpounded and fixed in it's character.
IT il only when viewed in this light that we are
enabled to realize the Importance of this case. The
decisions Of the United States district court of the
United States Commissioner and IF the supreme court
Of Mas,achuseits, 20 full clear and consist
ent and the conduct OF the State and United States
officers has been prompt and determined, that
we think no further doubt need be entertained,
either in regard to the scope and efficiency of the
law, of the ability of the Government to enforce
it. Hence, az we said on = former occasion, the
1851
is entitled to all communication. He has been the
means Of forcing a decision, the Importance Of
which to the whole country cannot be too highly
estimated. 8t
A story was put forth in Boston, which has since
been caught up here, that the fugitive had been or
would be sold, and returned to Boston, We arc
authorized by Mr.. Potter to state that there is not
the least foundation for the report He further
says he would not sell the slave for any sum, how
ever large, to be returned 10 Boston We felt
from his previous conduct that such would be his
course; and, but for the misrepresentation which
might exist abroad, we should not have thought it
necessary to obtain his authority for this fiat con-
tradiction.
That the abolitionists at the North will still
continue their dirty work, and that the disunion-
sts at the South will perscvere in denouncing the
law as inefficient, do not doubt. Such is their
vocation, and. should they cease ii, they would
fall back into the undistinguished mass to which
they belong. The patriotic and sensible, how
ever, comprising vast majority Of the American
people, will experience degree Of qualification
at the result, seldom felt on any occasion where
merely the enforcement Of law is involved. Il
Ia hoped that the troubled waters will henccforth
be still, and that the people will rest quiet in the
consciousness that they live under Government
possessing the will and the power to maintain its
laws