Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1852-09-11
THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.

series OF eleven propositions by Mr. Patterson,
of New Jersey, $50 as to render the Federal
Constitution adequate to tho cxigencies of Gov
eminent, and the preservation Of the Union;"
on the 18th of juno, eleven propositions by Mr..
Hamilton, of New York, containing his ideas
Of a suitable plan Of Government for the United
States !" and on the 10th June, Mr.. Randolphs
resolutions, originally offered on the 20th May,
"as altered, amended, and agreed to in Com
mittce of the Whole House." On the 26th,
twenty three resolutions, already adopted on
different days in the Convention, were referred
to Committee Of DETAIL" to be reduced to
the form Of Constitution. On the 9th of Au-
gust this committee reported the finished draft
of a Constitution. And yet in all these rcsolu-
tions, plans and drafts, scpen in number, pro-
cecding from eminent members and from able
committees, no allusion was made to fugitive
slaves. For three months the Convention was
in session, and not word uttered on this sub
ject
/ At last. on the 2sth August, as the Conven-
ton was drawing to q close, on the considera-
ton of the article providing for the privileges of
citizens in different States, we meet the first
reference to this matter, in words worthy Of
note: I" Gen. Charles Cotosworthl Pincknoy
was not satisfied with il. lie SEEMED to wish
some provision should be included in favor of
property in slaves" But he made no PROPOSE
ton. Unwilling to shock the Convention, and
uncertain in his own mind, he only seemed to
wish such provision, In this vague express
sion of vague desire this idea first appeared.
In this modest, hcsita,ing phrase is the germ of
the oudarious, unhcstating Slave Act. Hero
is the little vnpor, which has since swollen, as
in the Arabian tale, to the power and dimen-
sons of giant. The next article under dis
cussion provided for the surrender of fugitivcs
from justice. Mr.. Butler and Mr.. Charles
Pinckncy, both from South Carolina, now NOV
cd openly to require fugitive slaves and SER
wants to be delivered up like criminals" Hero
was no disguise. With Hamlet It was now said
in spirit,
Secnis, madam, nay, il is ! know not seems.
But the very boldness of the effort drew atten-
ton and opposition. Mr.. Wilson, of Pennsyl-
vania, at once objected: This would oblige
the Executive of tho State to do it at the pub
lie expense" MIR. Sherman, of Connecticut,
"saw no moro propricty in the public soising
and surrcndoring a slave or servant than a
horse" Under tho pressure of these objec-
tions the offensive proposition was quietly with
drawn. The article for the surrender of Grim
inals was then adopted. On tho next day.
August Goth, profting by tho suggestions al
ready made, Mr.. Butler moved proposition
substantially like that now found in the Con-
stitution-not directly for the surrender of
"fugitive slaves" as originally proposed, but
Of 'ifugitvcs from service or labor" which,
without debate or opposition o: any kind, was
unanimously adopted.
The provision, which showed itself thus tar.
dily and was so slightly noticed in the Nation
al Convention, was neglected in much of tho
contemporaneous discussion before the people.
In the Conventions Of South Carolina, North
Carolina, and Virginia, it was commended as
securing important rights. though oil this point
there was difference OF opinion. In the Vir-
ginia Convention, an eminent character, Mr..
George Mason, with Others expressly declared
that there was " no security ofpropcrty coming
within this section" In the other Conventions
it was disregardcd. Massachusetts,, while ex-
hibting peculiar scnsitivcness at any rcspon-
sibility for Slavery, seemed to view it with UNI
concern. The Federalist, (No. 42.) in its clas-
sifcaton of tho powers of Congress, describes
and groups large number as those switch
provide for the harmony and proper intercourse
among the Statcs," and therein speaks of the
power over public records, standing next in the
Constitution to the provision on fugitvcs from
labor; but it fails to recognise the latter among
tho means of promoting that harmony and
intercourse; nor docs it anywhere alludo to
the provision.
The indifference which had thus far attended
this subject still continued. The earliest act of
Congress- passed in 1893, drew little attention.
1t was not originally suggested by any difficulty
or anxiety touching fugitives from labor; nor is
there any record OF the times, in debate other
wise, showing that any special importance was
attached to its provisions in this regard. The
attention of Congress had been directed to fug-
tives from justice, and, with little deliboration,
it undertook in the same bill to provide for both
classes of cases. In this accidental manner was
legislation on this subject first attempted.
There is no evidence that iugtiycs were often
seized under this act. From a competent in-
quirer We learn that twenty-six years elapsed
before single slave was surrendered under it
in any Free State. 1t is certain that in case
at Boston, towards the close OF the last century,
illustrated by Josiah Quincy as counsel, the
crowd about the magistrate at the examination
quietly and spontaneously opened way for
the fugitive, and thus the Act failed to be exc
cuted. 1t is also certain that, in Vermont, at
Tho hauinuinp of tho century. n Judge of tho