The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-10
The FuKitive-slavo LawIs rsts, and tho true way
TO vindicmlc lt.

III distractions, nor demagogues, VINO seek hobbies to
ride into power We appeal TO honest men OF sense.
As question of expediency il ought to satisfy the
South, because, without mparng the act Of 1893, but
leaving that law in full force, il adds for the South
tain guarantees and securities which were nulllhed by
certain cunning legislation of OF the northern States
such laws denying to the owners of fugtves the use
OF their local prisons and police officers In securing the
fugitive This created much embarrassment in the ex-
ecu,on OF the law Of 1898 but,he law OF 1850 pu,
end to these by providing other sectua
means for securing the runaway slave The efficiency
of the law has been bundany proved by the return OF
Smms from the capital of New England. and by the safe
return OF other slaves from other savehoding States
The law and the practice have thus been settled in favor
of the STAKEHOLDER and the South longer complain
of any of ample and certain remedy under the
stution, and therefore ought to be satisfied
But equally clear that the law ought to satisfy the
North for the following First and foremost, it
is plain constitutional obligation, matter Of solemn
compact agreement between the North and the South
by which, for weghty considerations each party debe
ratey entered into bargain TO do justice to each other
To accomplish this bargain each party made certain
cessons The South agreed that in the apporionment of
population for representation and taxes five slaves should
be considered equivalent 10 three white persons and the
NORTH awaiting itself Of this concession, agreed to admit
the full peraon oil the southern institution, and to give
official aid in The return OF such OF their slaves as might
seek refuge in northern States Ii this promise not
carried out the effect would be- not only diminish the
Just political influence Of the South in the SCALE but
prove loss OF property to individuals These were
among the mutual concessions this compact between
the North and the South. -
Now, al the adoption OF the constitution, It had been
supposed BY the North that the South would continue
TO abide by the stipulated ratio for representation, but
would claim to be represented fully for every slave
well as white person, 'e North would never have en-.
tered into 4 impact, ld so, Inc other hand, il it had
been dream hat the North would no. abide by the ex-
press provision for the faithful return OF the fugitive the
South would not have agreed to the bargain. All this is
matter of plain common and common honesty, on
which no two fair minded differ, and the du-
ties of the North are as clear the MONDAY sun.
| But prepared 10 show that, matter of mere
expedency and philanthropy, the North ought
the fugitive slave law to the letter
Suppose the northern people as benevolent they
claim 10 be- and that they really look 10 the good of the
slave the question then arises whether these slaves
not as well of as if they were free
Now, it is well known that the slaves generally
subjected TO oppressive work. but well treated and
live easy they well fed and we'll clad when sick
they taken good of and in old age well pro-
vided for they orderly and peaceiul-have
sponsbiy-are conlented and probably the happy
race on the face of Gods earth. II there any
people who lead Acadan lives free from care and enjoy
true eysum EARTH they the slaves OF southern
States There may be where severity is practised,
but the exception does not disturb the general rule. IL
is for the interest OF the planter TO take good of his
servants and they INDUCED in whatever contributes
to their comfort They are infinitely better of and hap
pier than the blacks of the North.
But suppose it were otherwise and that their condition
were hard: there is reason why northern men OF
sense should compass Heaven and earth TO correct the
evil Very few slaves have any opportunity TO escape,
and OF these few but small proportion detected and
pursued In the first year under the law there have been
about half dozen where fugtves have been sent
/ hal ,ha fam KEEN IN md bu
is literally grea, cry and itue WOOL and il affects very
few persons And The number will be less and less every
year. because in fact, whether the law be good bad
most of those who liable TO its operation have fled 10
Canada or other parts unknown beyond the jurisdiction
In all time to come there may not be three year
But suppose that half dozen slaves should be trans
feued from the cold and uncongenia North, where
they would have TO work for living to the genial
elm OF the South, where they would have also TO work
for a living what then Ii would be but drop in
the bucket among people OF more than twenty millions
Men have often been willing TO sacrifice life for their
country but these slaves not called upon for such
sacrifice but merely to be transferred from place,
where they must work. another place OF labor. The
fanatics then have no ground 10 stand upon,
sci f.pumed phantbropIsts. II amounts then, TO this
that for the purpose Of carrying out vital principle OF
the constitution, and preserving peace and harmony IN
this srea, republic few slaves are returned TO their
| legal habliation.
slaveaollng States most essentially interested as
business people in this "peao and harmony" Those
engaged in the agriculture OF the East and the North,
and the West--those engaged IN trade, commerce, and
ma a,ion-in the manufacturing and mechanic arts
in the learned professions-in railroads and canals
and in every kind Of indusry-in short, the people
of all denom nations in the non-savehodng Satesare
all directly interested in a system which secures the
union and prosperity Of the whole country, under which
we have advanced in Improvement beyond any parallel in
ancient or modern times Are all these great and abid-
ing interests to be eopadcd for the visionary purpose OF
preventing the return of few slaves to the place where
they belong By no means,
But the North has nothing to do with slavery. 1t isa
southern institution OF political economy, peace and
tranquility Strike il down, and all the moral elements
OF society would be deranged and reduced TO chaos II
an earthquake should PROSTATE every dwelling from the
Atlantic the Pacific, il would not work 40 much per-
manent desolaton the sudden overthrow Of this sys
tenn of political and moral order. New houses would be
built and start taken in progress and prosperity but
annihiate the wholesome relations between master and
slave and there would be end to the ORDER good gov
eminent and prosperity Of the country, North and South
the plantations would be neglected and go to decay,
and the South would not have the to purchase the
product. of the North and both the North and South
the Eas, and the West, would be involved in one com.
m on ruin address this argument to the sef-interest
or If you please TO the cupdity OF men. II once set
Free the blacks could again be brought to snbec
ton and useful employment This experiment, has been
tried in the British West Indies and Jamaica is stand
ing monument of the folly and blunders of Parliament