Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-11
The Boston Case.


The N. Y. Commercial Advertiser, of Satur-
day, commences an article on the Fugitive case
In Boston, as it had then been developed, with the
following strong remarks:
Recent events in Boston naturally tend to cothe apv
clearly established claim upon a fugitive slave there
with deep interest to the people Of every City and State
IN the enon 10 all appearance this of Sims will
in every respect be test of the temper of the Boston,
iaHs, sufficiently strong demonstrate clearly whether
they, as peoples will obey and support the law of the
established beyond doubt that there will be on tina
apology excuse for not delivering up The
authorities OF the City and OF the Federal Government
empowered to support the Marshal in keeping safe
custody OF the party claimed and already on the
qu' uice, so that suddenly conceived and unopposed
rescue, as in the case of Shadrach be accomplish
ed in this case. Viewed in every aspect this promises to
put the issue fairly before the country to whether the
fugitive slave law will and can be executed in the city of
Boston. The whole Union will probably know in
few days whether fugitive slave can be arrested in
the capital of Massachusetts, and in case the claim
Is ma de out, be delivered safe his master in another
State. We have little doubt that this can and will be-
done and lone too without much difficulty or serious
conflict with the officers charged with the execution of
the law
We need not copy the Commercials reasons for
this opinion, as it has ere now, probably been ye-
ried or the reverse, but what it says of the lead
ing agitators against the execution of the law de-
serves repetition:
"The speakers at the meetings referred to are we'll
known as great takers but small actors-boA in hos
tile speech but chary OF hostile Observation-Disclosures not
against the fugitive slave law alone, but against the
const Tuition and the country that protects them-and
are without power or influence against the nhexibIe
purpose OF the good and patriotic and the faithful min
listers OF the law OF the land"
After stating the inconsiderable number of
those collected on the Common and at the Ire
mon Temple (about 10000 the Commercial adds :
And who were the speakers and what the tenor of
their speeches! We look IN vain among the former
tor name OF any infuence-for single person that
by the utmost stretch fancy, be recognised as
an an exponent ut OF popular sentiment There were
Wendall Philips, who tor years has wearied every
body but himself with his railing accusations against
the consultation under which he chooses to live; Rev.
Theodore Parker, scarcely less notorious than Mr..
Philips; "a Scotchman named Mcclure" which is
about the only fact known of him; and Rev. Mr. Col
ver-a men whose power to do harm is fortunately
small indeed. And what said they? Mr. Philips ia.
duged In bis usual rant about making "the ems OF the
Common resound to the declaration that law or no
law, constitution constitution chains or no chains
this law shall not be enforced" He called upon the peo
pie to block the locomotives, tear up the rails follow
the fugitive to the border OF the State if possible to
rescue him." &C., &C., and hoped "the country peo-
pie would come in TO block up tho Streets &C. But the
pubic may rest assured that
"Bimam wood shall come to Dunsnane,"
before Mr.. Philips will hmseftear up rail or butt his
head gans locomotive.
"The Rev. Mr.. Parker kept comparatively cool The
"Scotchman, named Mcclure" denounced as a 'cow-
ard any man who would allow his arm to hang loosely
by his side while fugitive slave was in peril, vet his
own arm hung at his side loosely enough that moth
ing very courageous in the way of opposition can be
expected from him. Rev. MIR. Colver "went for abso-
lutte disobedence but after considerable talk, and ex
pressing very needlessly his intention to untrock him
SELL he could venture no further than to recommend
the passage Of resolution that constitution or no
constitution law or law, fugitive shall be carried
out of Massachusetts"
-, Now, from such defamation we neither argue de-
liberate intention oppose the law, nor the power 10
induce others 10 oppose it, If the Commissioner de-
cldes that the claim upon Sims is valid, Sims will be
delivered up TO his and safely conveyed to Geor
ga, and Wendell Phillips Il Co. will continue to talk
as they have long alked but the law will be upheld in
Boston and elsewhere nevertheless.