The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-06-27
Execution of the Fugitive Slave Law
AttOrmey-GeneraPs Opinion.

In view of the late evidences OF a liked and
persistent determination of the abolitionists 20
resist the execution of the fugitive slave law,
whether by moral or physical force, the oPin'
ion ofZAttoruey General Gushing published in
our paper to-day becomes one Of the most i'm.
portant State papers that have emanated from
any department. 1t will be found to decide
the only question of difficulty in regard to the
successful enforcement of the law which re.
manned open for adjudication. When Presi-
dent Pierce announced to the marshall at Bos.
ton that "the law must be executed, his
prom ptness and decision of action not only in
spired the country with new confidence in him
as its chief executive officer, but it gave assu-
rance that whatever power was vested in him
would be faithfully exerted in vindication of
the law. When the marshal received this en-.
dorsement Of his course, and felt himself sus.
tanned by the power Of the executive arm, he
was animated with new energy in the discharge
of his perilous duties. The spirit Of infuria-
ted fallaticism was appalled, and startled to
fud its mad violence and reasonable passion so
promptly and steruly met. =.
The opinion of General Gushing supplies the
only thing necessary to inspire the lovers OF
law and order with confidence in their triumph
i'm all similar emergencies it shows that when
ever the riotous or reasonable spirit of aboli.
tiunism renders it necessary for the marshall to
call the citizens to his assistance to insure the
enforcement of the law, they become them.
selves officers and agents of the United States,
and as such entitled to be literally compensa.
ted for their services. This decision arms the
marshal with power which enables, him TO
call around him body of orderloving and
law. abiding men, capable of successfully re-.
ssting the utmost efforts Of mobs to thwart
him in the execution Of his duties. Those citi.
zens will obey his summons not as mere vol.
unteers, but in obedience to high and sacred
obligation that rests upon every man to serve
bis country whenever its honor or the majesty
of the law is endangered or seriously threaten.
ed They will rally around the officer and
sustain him in executing his duty, with knowl
edge that they are in the actual service of the
government, and that that government is pledged
to compensate them for all their labors and
sacrifices. He will seldom, if ever, be under
the necessity of resorting to the regular militia.
ry force--a resort always calculated to engen-
der preiudices and aggravate anmosities-bu:
in every community the sober, fearless, patri.
otic cilizen holds himself ready to obey the
summons Of his government whenever bis ser.
vices are needed to resist aggression from
abroad or rebellion and treason from within.
We give publicity to the able and conclusive
argument of General Gushing. because it is i'm
portant that abolilionsts should know that du.
ring the present administration all their at.
tempts to defeat the execution of the fugitive
slave law by force will be met byta still more
powerful force that will overwhelm them. This
is the assurance to be derived from the opinion
of the Attorney General. and in this point of
view it cannot lail to exert salutary influence
throughout the country Washington Union.