Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-11-01
JUDGE NELSON'S CHARGE.

VIC snan never despair OF the Republic.
JUDGE NELSON'S CHARGE.
The Charge Of Judge NELSON to the Grand Jury
at the opening Of the Circuit Court of the United
States at Albany. on the lst instant contains some
pointed references TO the Fugitive Slave Law which
are honorable to the integrity and independence of
the Bench. Nor are we more pleased with the
manly sentiments of the Judge than with the inde-
pendence and truth of those of the Boston paper
which appended TO the extracts from the charge.
The Judge says: %
Before the people of New York. or of any other North
State make their minds dsregad and disobev This
provision of the constitution, they WILL doubt not look
well to the consequences Common sense as well ~ com
mon prudence and wisdom would dictate this.
"As have already said the provision in question is
material part Of tie c0nsituti0nthe fundamental Law of
the Union, framed by athers and under which we live
90 material and important that any with the
history of that instrument knows that toiout the Union
tcoud neper haze been formed.
Let any OF the Northern Sales, therefore,
annu utterly disregard it, setting the Fundamental Law in
this resPect at de6ancs, and be successful in maintaining
such disregard and abandonment Of duty against the whole
orcs and power OF tho Gsnara Government and d;,y,p
ton Of the Union Is already accomplished" 81 4.
We do not see any getting round this conclusion.
There is the constitution, and there is the law Civ
ing effect to its provisions. How are we to violate.
circumvent, or evade it, without dissolving the
Union, and absolving all the slaveholding States
from their allegiance to it Judge NELSON con-
tinues: fe3 y
some more members of the Confederacy cannot aunul
material part Of the compact which they have entered into
with the other States because they have interest in it, or
even against their interest," and the time claim an
observance Of it by Others There can be no such obligation
on those Others legal moral Il requires but common
sense and common honesty to settle this. That other or
those other States Interested in the rejected and rpuiatsd
1nrth hv
OF the Union to enforce obedience, would have right to
gard the compact at end, and withdraw from Con-
federacy Of unfaithful associates .ssa..4 !.
sThee two sides the compact and both must be
observed, or neither. III slstfl9 7F{fa ri
These principles fundamental they lie at the foun-
dation Of all contracts and compac entered into by pae
whether Tor Government or any other purpose; and they
act nothing more than honesty and good faith ia the
observance Of the duties and obligations of each. m
Seeing, therefore, and properly apprecsng these con-
sequences Of the inevitable tendency and result Of breaking
and setting at naught material part Of the constitution with
what concern should every good citizen contemplate the
And with what sacrity and spirit should he come up to its
support and maintenance! What vast and momenous inter
sts may depend upon bis active and patriotic devotion in de-
fence Of the constitution and laws of his country!
No need for moment harbor the suppos ion or be-
lief that the Norhern States will not be held strict fulfil
ment Of their constitutional obligations arising of this
clause of the compact Fifteen States of the Union are deeply
Interested IN its execution and demand its observance They
have already determined that must be longer dsregarded
and have appealed to their Northern brethren come up to
their constitutional duties and obligations and the Union
Many Of them have confidence that they will and are this
momen upon the strength Of maintaining vigorous and
manul struggle with their less confident brethren behalf
of it.
Any one conversant with the history of the times and
with the great issue agatpg the country, and in which
the Perpetuy Of this Union is involved fail have
seen the hands of the people the Northern States
They must determine it. and responsibility rests upon them
1t they abide by the ccnssu,iutv avery mart
Of tall will be we'll If they expect the Union to be saved
and enjoy the blessings flowing from short Of this they
will find themselves mistaken when ii is too late"
These are the words of truth and sobeiness, and it
will be difficult to gainsay them The whole South,
including South Carolina, are now arrayed on the
side of the Union. Reckless andlignorant agita-
tors will tell you that the South has come round
because the South never meant any hing by her
threats and because the South is afraid Of Osunon
Fatal will it be if the North allows itself !. be de-
ceived by this unfounded assurance into general
attack upon the Compromise. The South will
maintain her constitutional rights, if the cohse-
quence is destruction to all her interests. II now
rests with the North to say whether the Union
shall stand--Boston Transcript.