The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-01-16

resentatives, it is proper 10 refer 10 some OF
these questions of general interest, the dis
posal of which more especially belongs 20
: the National Government.
A revision and alteration OF the Revenue
laws, SO as to give adequate and permanent
protection to the industry Of the country, are
demanded by tho PROSTATE condition of the
mining and manufacturing interests. The
propriety of affording full protection 10 do
mestic industry, in the enactment of Tariff
laws, has been as fully discussed, that a
mere reference TO former views, is all that is
deemed necessary at this time. In a late eff
fort 10 amend the present Tariff, it's failure
may be fully attributed 10 the omission Of
the last Legislature to give expression to the
perfectly well understood wishes and expec
tatiohs of the people. It is confidently hop
ed dno such omission will mark the conduc,
of the present assembly.
A reduction in the rates of postage, and
the construction ol railway communications
to.the Pacific, wore urged heretofore as wor-
thy of friendly regard. Repetition of the
views then presented is unnecessary, as time
has only strengthened The conviction of the
proprieiy and usefulness of tho proposed
measures.
In relation 10 the extention of slavery and
the duty OF faithful observance Of her Federal
obligations by the Commonwealth, the views
expressed in former messages remain an
changed. There is nothing in my judgment,
in the history of the past, nor i'll the warn
inss of the future, TO justify the abandonment
of the principles, sacredly regarded from
the foundation Of the State, of roninteryen
iion in the domestic policy of other commu
mites, and of resolute determination of per
rnitng no interference with our own. Fl
deity in the discharge of constitutional du
ty has distinguished our government and
people, and if an opinion exits within. or
has besn mischievously propagated beyond
our borders, that such is not the fact, it is
conceived in error Of our true history Penn
sylvsnia, her people, and her authorities,
always have been loyal to the constitution.
They wish it neither 10 be evaded nor amen
ded. They will not permit il TO be resisted
1t has been intinated that the question
connected with the institution of Slavery,
and the rendition of fugilives from labor
here have been indications of disregard of
her Constitutional obligations. To the clause
OF the Constitutional relative TO fugitives
from labor, and the legislation under it,
those eses hAs hse.. IN pssasyi~~.;., with.
all her avowed aversion to domestic slavery,
implicit obedience. With an earnest desire
that, by free interchange Of moderate and
rational opinions, obedience 10 the law may
be made, no, only implicit, but cheerful, &,
is proper to refer to some of the difficulties
in relation TO the subject now existing in the
public mind.
Ths clause of the Federal Constitution
relative 10 fugitives from labor involves these
propositions: /. That involuntary service Or
slavery, may exist in the States of the Union
by consituti cnal recognition. O. Tha: tho
escape Of the person SO held shall not oper.
ate as discharge from such service or la
Dor. 3. That on the claim Of the party to
whom such service is due, there must be a
rendition of the fugitive.
To interfere by legislative enactment, or
otherwise 10 destroy or in any way affect
the right of property recognized in the first
proposition, would be daring violation Of
the clear obligations Of the Constitution. No
human being can pretend that by this Com
monwealth such an interference has ever
been attempted. Whatever may be the
feelings of the people in opposition 10 the
further extension Of slavery, and the conse-
quent increase of anti.republican and Sec
tional representations in the Nation Legisla-
ture, no effort has ever been made TO dis.
turb or destroy the vested rights of citizens
OF other States and when those rights may
be endangered by the escape of slave be-
yond The limits of the States, where the re-
} lation is acknowledged, our citizens have
acted on the principle, that 10 sympathy
with individual suffering ought ever to wea-
ken their sense of duty to the plain require
ments of the organic law.
In the adjustment Of rights and official du-
ico uhuct siiS i"st pfopositioii, Hiofc uiiiiCul-
" has been fonnd TO exist. By whose agen.
cy is the fugitive to be given up? What
force is to be given 10 the word "elaim," as
used in the Constitution Is not the deliver.
y of the fugitive TO be made orly through
the agency of the National Government 2
These have been vexed and mooted ques.
tions. The final decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States in a case to which
Pennsylvania was made party, and the re-.
cen, fugitive slave law, gave Judicial and
Legislative Interpretation to this clause of tho
Constitution, which cannot be msapprehen-
ded. The power and duty of enact ing laws
to carry into effect the Constitutional direc.
tion, being ruled TO be in Congress and in
Congless only, any Interference on the part OF
the State authorities is authorized and with
out binding force.
| II the Constitution implies duty TO be
performed by both National and State Cow
ernments, and vests each with power over
the subject, the trainers of that instrument
failed TO express In cl ear terms. as in other
cases, tho obligations Of tine parties. The
| Iatifnde of cousfrnc,ion fanuirad IN oiva e,Ich