The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-03
From she ysrmonl Journal
y n~. sa axs.t..

Vermont Fs1ttiss Lsw'-UNr Position
The storm OF " Indignation" raised throughout the
country in consequence OF the recent Legislative act OF
Vermont relating 10 fugitive slaves" &e has, IN
measure, blown We have taken no liitle pains 10
procure information TO the circumstances attending ts
passage through the general assembly. We have also
compared thertceht act OF Congress aopcsrgns iingk
tyes," &e, with our own State enactment and we have
read many articles OF the newspaper press. both IN con
demnaon and IN approval OF that enactment, and we
must confess clear and decided convection that the
Stale law is in conflict with the law OF Congress. We
cannot consent, however, to visit our State Legislature
and the people represented by H. with indlscrimnde cen
The had It's final passage in the senate on the
very last day OF the session. when only about hall OF The
members present, and in the hurry 10 hnish up the
business that had accumulated upon their hands There
was little nothing saidno debate and no calling the
yeas and nays To say the least the act hasy, Ill
timed, and uncalled for. a..s 81, g.5ee#
The act Of Congress had become the supreme law Of
the land this regard and State had authority to pass
any act tending 10 interrupt embarass the execution
of that supreme law however unpaaiable It may have
been regarded. Every Stale entering the Union be-
solemny bound by the following article OF the
constitution: EaW II. 1915
"The Constitution and the laws Of the United States
which will be made in pursuance thereof, shall be the sn
law Of the land and the Judge. in every State shall
be bound ,heieoy, anything In The constitution OF laws Of
tConstit.tsoa Of The United States, art, u.
Now the act of Congress under consideration is OF
the laws Of the United Sla,ss and must SO stand upon
The United States statutes until repealed by the same
high power that created il, or until sci aside by the su
preme judiciary auhority--the United States Supreme
Court This position no sane, law. abiding citizen will
attempt 10 deny 1t is conclusive upon the minds OF all
but the political fanatic and the bgoed casnlst, who
forget that they not living under visible theoc-
racy, and who oblylous OF the pecepis laid down
in the New Testament in regard to the duties they
to the civil authority and ins,lnclively turn to the
Old Testament law OF the Jews
But cit is assumed-of course without any examina
ton at all (says the Montpelier Waterman -thai Yer
months in collision with the general government &c
So long both the national and State statutes remain
undsturbed upon The statute book long no attempt
made 10 enforce them in Vermonl-there will De OF
course no collision practically And ,he hgh pIopaoy
that there will be no occasion tor enforcing the fugitive
act OF Congress in this State encourages the idea That
law may work practical harm. But that there would
be collision should the United States authority have oc.
casion TO arrest real fugitive in this State, and should
State authority interfere TO the extent authorized by
the OF gslature Is too palpaby evident Tor con-
troversy. The Watchman,' venture to assert will
not attempt 10 deny the commanding authority Of the
stution Of the United States to deliver up fuglives IRON
service. Nor will il deny that the power TO execute the
fugitive clause in the constitution IS exclusively vested
in The general government Such has been the decision
of the United States Supreme Court we believe and the
decision mas been practically adopted BY the Congress and
government step in, and take the fugitive from the hands
Of the United States judges and commissioners, and give
him to State officers, and add 10 the forms OF process
giving appeals, and otherwise compicaiing and embar-
RAISING the process OF the United States coursI Yet YER
is loya she is ready to yield obedience to the gu
preme authority OF the land No resistance no practical
resistance will be made the part OF her Judiciary
her awoving and Union abiding people, to the right
ul authority of the United States The whole people OF
Vermont detest slavery and are lnexby opposed to lie
further extenso Blu, this opposition is confined within
constitutional limits. Vermont was opposed to the an
nexa,ion of Texas; but she quietly submitted TO the
preme authority, and bore her full share Of ITS evil but
legitimate in the further extension OF the
curse of slavery, and in the waste OF lie and treasure in
Cured by the war with Mexico The people OF Vernon
love and cherish liberty and ready TO offer their blood
and treasure TO mainte ~ but is "bery and Union
liberty under the constitution and under the restraint oil
law--,hat they would have and protect.
II No Vermonter will deny the right or the duty even o
our legislature to make laws for the protection OF any
our citizens, for authorizing circuit Judges 70 ssl
rights and dulles must submit be consistent and
in conflict with the constitution and laws OF the United
States. A large majority OF the people of Vermont nj
doubt dlsliked many OF the provisions OF the "ngitv
act" OF Congress, and We have an undoubied right tc
urge senators and representatives to their nu
ence to its repeal or modification But until b.
repealed, pronounced unconstitutional By the United
States Supreme Court il IS much duty 10 espec
and obey il any other law OF Congress,
We believe that majority OF our last Legislature, coulc
they oil be legally assembled this day, would either re
peal or essentially modify their own act We also be
leve that supreme and circuit judges should prope
case for their adjudication be presented would pronounce
the act unconstitutional. Nor doubt that III,
act, just il passed regretted ny large majority
our liberty. loving and law abiding people
But, ntimaed In the outset are not disposed
TO visit the whole State and people with ndscrmnate
sure All and all legislatures are liable TO commit mis-
takes and graveT mistakes than this have been committed
by the legislatures of other Safes and by Congress
human to err and humanity will in spite OF the
best Intentions and in the broadcast light We are dis
posed to be iofbearng and patiently await the proper
correction by the good sense and patriotism OF our owr
people
Il From The BANGOR (Maine) Democrat
MULTIPLICATION IN VERMosr.--Great and Just indgna
ton is excited throughout the country by recent Law
of the State of Vermont, multiplying the existing
Congress in respect 10 the rendition OF fugitive slaves
IL is quite unnecessary TO say that this lawboih IN
terms and in PRACTICAL Effects ia direct defiance oil the
authority OF Congress.
And let il be recolected tina, this il no mere outbreak
OF individual folly but the deliberate act OF the egsla
tive authority Of OF the sovereign States OF the
federacy.
instead OF being Insignificant Staie and generally and
justly regarded most benighed and contemplate
State could really be supposed 10 represent partially
the temper and determination Of the North. State
which befooled into anii.masonry by the ghost oil
Morgan must spend al least generation peDiteDtia
and modest reiracy before II acquire character
enough 10 do mischief
But the disposition OF Vermont 10 do mischief is none
the less reprehensibe is less imperatyely the duty
OF the friends OF the Union and of the constitution TALL
everywhere for their defence.
II 10 frequently asked by men who are patriotic and
ellgen but who prevented by the pressure oil their
own business pursuits, from attending much TO what Is
passing other parts OF the country, and mme.
dIaely around them, what the necessity of holding
meetings in favor of the Union They do not that II
IN at all in danger, that any body al the North
assailing it We ask such men TO look the la OF
1 Vermont, and 10 weigh well its consequences.
II is not enough that an overwhelming majority OF the
people oil the North value the Union their greatest po
lllicsl blessing, they unquesuonably do they must
not only value H. but they must do what IS necessary to
preserve II. They mus, put down and keep down that
insane spirit OF abolonisn which ~ continually break
ing out in JUS, such the which has recently
1 dtQQrS reA m Mate i