The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-06-02
IMPRISONMENT OF sEAMEN FOR NO CRIME.

IMPRISONMENT OF sEAMEN FOR NO CRIME
Agitation has reached South Carolina. A
correspondent of the Charleston Is. C) Stand
ard, takes the ground that
GAS by the Constitution, treaty when
duly ratified by the signature of the President
and the sanction of the Senate, becomes SUI.
preme law of the land, that now existing be-
tween the United States and England neces-
sarily partakes of this high, inviolate, and
binding character, By one of the least ambig-
uous or clearest clauses of that treaty, British
subjects (seamen of course included are en-
titled to the same rights and privileges in our
ports, or while they sojourn among us as these of
any other country with whom we are in ami
ty. The act therefore, of South Carolina, by
which this provision of the treaty is virtually
anpulled or set aside, is not only unconstitu.
tional, but otherwise irregular and invalid-as
being to all intents and purposes, an er post
facto law; having been passed subsequently, to
that OF which, or of a clause Of which it oper
ates as a repeal. South Carolina, in her soyer-
eign capacity, or through her vote in the Sen.
ate, where she Is expressly recognized in her
independent State character, assisted in the
ratification of this treaty; and therefore could
not subsequently pass u law, intractive of it,
without clear and direct breach of her pledg,
cd faith, both TO Great Britain and her sister
members of the Union, to maintain it inviolate.
az long, at least, rs England shall faithfully
observe it on her part. She is also further
bound, by every principle of honor, and of the
law of nations, to aid IN enforcing and carry
ing it out, in any case in which the exercise of
her local authority or her State interposition
may be necessary for this purpose"
He enforces his views at considerable length
The editor of the Standard dissents from the
views of his correspondent and counsels pa
tience until it can be seen what is the natural
action Of our Federals system, though he doubts
whether it is altogether frank and candid to
do SOTO come before a tribunal at all, to
whose determination we will only submitwhen
in our favor
1t has long been doubted whether State
has the right to mprson the free citizens Of a
sister State, the Constitution expressly declar-
ing art. iv, sec. 81 that the citizens of each
State shall be entitled to all the privileges and
immunities of ciizensin the several States" and
we rejoice that the question will shortly come
before the Supreme Court for decision. The
police regulation referred to has long been felt
to be oppressive by the merchants of Charles
ton but the overshadowing influence Of Sla-
very has thus far triumphed over all their Of
forts to secure its repeal.
Mrs. Stowe AT STAFFORD HousE.-A largo
number of ladies and gentlemen assembled at
the residence of the Duke of Sutherland on the
It'll ult to give expression to their respect and
admiration for Mrs. II. B. Stowe. That lady,
accompanied by her husband and brother, was
ushcrcd through the magnificent suite of rooms
on the ground floor to the picture gallery,
where the Duchess of Sutherland and a dis
tinguished party received their guests, and at
ter some preliminary introductons, the long
talked-of address was presented by the Earl Of
Sbaftesbury, and responded to by Rev. Mr..
Beecher In subsequent conversations with the
Duchess of Sutherland and Argyll, Mrs. Stowe
stated that the ladies Of England were not at
all aware of the real state Of feeling Of the la
dies of America on the subject Of slavery; and
that it must not be judged by the answer sent
TO the address, nor the statements 10 the Amer
lean newspapers-the ladies of America being
prevented by their husbands personal and po-
litcal feelings from saying what they feel on
the subject.
The editor Of the Sonora (Cal) Herald repels
with some warmth, the charge that he is an
Abolitionist and thus defines his position
GIn accordance with the Compromise, we
are opposed to the introduction Of slavery into
this State, and to oil the thousand man@uvres
resorted TO for the purpose of ultimately &C.
complishing that end. We were raised free
white mechanic; and while We WELD pen we
shall oppose everything which, in our opinion,
may tend TO injure their interests or depress
their condition. Furthermore, We are opposed
to the Fugitive Slave Law Of this State, DO
cause, as there are no fugitives from labor here,
its enactment Is unnecessary and gratuitous,
and tends TO open breach which all should
wish closedv
The JUay in the Gardiner case have been
discharged, not being able to agree on YER
dict Messrs. Lane, Balm, and Borland, were
f& his conviction, tho rest for his acquittal.