Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-09-08
EI'GITIEE SLAVES.

s.v DAYS since, ~. heard q citizen oil syracuse,
Y Y,-,be theatre Of tbs Jerry rescuc'-remark
drilv lint trutl,fuilv, that the fugitive slave law was OF
~ mich service TO the people Of Neg York Us TO the
Soutb. for il rid them of their worst popu!afioh' Tie
free negroes, in compelling them to retreat 10 UNI
da. This fact clicits COMMON sense thoughts Us pine
existence of a real evil 10 the South, and the remedy
therefor. The United States have recognized slaves
rs property, and provided for their rendition whei'
they escape from their masters. More than this
Great Britain has made compensation for slaves $50
len by her troops from Americans, at the rcqulsltlon
of the Federal Government. Upon the principle re-
copnized in this demand, and the concession to II by
Great Britain, we agree with the Columbus Times,
tina, 1.-The South ought to insist upon the formation Of
a treaty with Great Britain BY the Federal Govern
inent for the surrender of Fugitive Slaves. The MI
ted States have already formed a treaty WITH England
tor the surrender of rogues, thieves, robbers' iiar-
derers and all other criminals, the object OF when Is
to protect the lives and property of her citizens; anu
not the smallest depreciation il ever committed upon
any other property, except slaves, thatl Is not loiio"eu
by nh instantaneous demand for redress. Upon what
principle Of Justice is e difference made by the Federal
Government in the property Of the North ana the
propertv OF the South! None thai we can see. let
thousands OF slaves are annually spirited ncross the
Canada Frontier, and protected by British subjects
and laws against the pursuit of their masters
This subject ia the more important TO the Sou'l''
Us without such n treaty the provision OF tic coiiS'-
tuition providing for the surrender OF fugitive slaves
and the laws made ia pursuance thereof, are II dead
letter, and Cannot be cifectuully enforced. 1t all the
fugitive slaves stolen from the Sou,li, were slapped
in the Northern States, they would very soon become
Il nuisance, and the identical men who are now the
most f%anatical abolitionists wonld become the most eih-
cicn. .sslare catchers." II il well known that the
Yankee has, in general, Il mortal dislike Tor Tie ATT
can: he will not allow him to ride in the same carnage,
sit ut the same table, or worship God in tho same
church with him. His abolitionism does not spring
from love of the slave, but hatred Of his master. As
long. therefore, as he can annoy the South, without
personal Inconvenience, he will trade in negroph"h'",
but once the Canadas are closed against the African
und Cuffcc is forced either 10 become his neighbor' or
be sent back 10 slavery, all New England would rise
IL. one man to put him in irons.
"As the matter now stands the fugitive slave law
is n positive injury To the SoailI. 1t drives the Airl-
can into Canada, and allows the Yankee to indulge
his sympathy for the fugitive without any personal
Inconvenience TO himself, or injury to the purity OF
his Saxon blood. Butte England deliver the fugitive
slave to his master, and force the abolitionists either
to colonise New England with runa.n ny slaves or send
them bnck to the South, and we could afford to repeal
the fugitive slave law. The losS that the South nm
nually sustuiils, by the running Of slaves into Canada,
is OF sufficient importance TO justify her public men
in Insisting upon some action Of the Government
of the United States in tie premises. And we
confess our surprise that Southern statesmen
have submitted with SO much patience 10 the annual
robbery of thousands of dollars worth cf property to
which she has a. good right rs 10 the land they cu!ti-
vate. The time is propitious for the acquisition of MI
disputed rights from European powers. They can
not afford to break Just now with the United States.
Let our public men move in the matter, and we 1res-
ton not that the President aud the American
Minister at st. James will give the movement q cor
dial support. Besides, this is golden moment which
NAV never return. Before we get another sound
man in the Presidential chair, peace may be made Ill
Europe, and the European powers become less IN
slined to look with favor upon the demands of Anne
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