Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-12-12


in the State prison not less than one more than
five years. This is the penalty for an unsuccessful
attempt to recover a runaway slave.
1t is further provided, that person holding any
office of honor, trust or emolument in that State,
shall in any capacity issue any warrant or other pro-
cess, or grant any certificate, under or by virtue Of
either of the acts of Congress- for the rendition of
fugitive slaves. And any person who shall grant
any certificate under either of the said acts of Con-
gress, shall vacate any Office he may hold under the
State and shall be forever thereafter ineligible to
any Office of trust, honor emolument under the
laws of that Commonwealth. And any person who
shall act as counsel for any claimant of alleged
fugitive from service or labor, under either of the
said acts of Congress, shall vacate any commission
he may hold, and be thereafter incapacitated from
appearing as counsel or attorney in the courts of
that Commonwealth. These two provisions shall
not apply to removal from judicial Office but ifany
judge shall perform either of the acts, it shall be
breach of cool behavior and reason for loss of pub
lie confidence, and sufficient ground for impeach-
ment or removal, by address.
1t is also declared that every sheriff. deputy sheriff.
ailor coroner constable other officer of the State
or the police of any city town, any district
court, city or town officer, or any officer Or other
member OF the volunteer militia Of the Common
wealth, who shall assist mprison detan or restrain
or aid therein any person for the reason that he IS
claimed or adjudged to lie fugitive from service or
labor shall be fined not less than one thousand and
not more than two thousand dollars, and be impris
oned in the State prison not less than nor more
than two years; and the volunteer militia pro-
hibted from acting in any manner in the seizure,
detcnsion or rendition of fugitive slave, under the
like fine and Imprisonment
This act makes provision for the appointment of
commissioners in every county in the State, to pro-
tcct, defend and secure to any alleged fugitive slave
fair and impartial trial by jury and the benefit of
its provisions. The fees and expenses of the CON-
mssoners, witnesses and officers, in such defence,
S,. Ian h1yf fb,S NJ ,,,l Of
that State of any county therein shall be used to
imprison any person accused convicted of any Of
fence created by either of the laws of Congress,
passed in 1898 or $780, respecting fugitves from
justice and persons escaping from the service of their
masters, who may be convicted of Obstructing or
resisting any process, order issued under
either of those laws, nor for rescuing any person de-
tanned under said laws for the Imprisonment of
any person arrested on process or execution for
damages OF penalties accruing claimed in conse
quence of any aid rendered to any escaping fugitive
slave.
Thus, twill be seen that the whole purpose of
this act is to render null and void acts of Congress
passed to execute clause of the Constitution
sential to the security of slave property in the
Southern States, and without which no savehold-
stitution.
The constitution provides expressly, "that no
person held to service labor in State, under
the laws thereof, escaping into another, SHALL in
sequence of any law or regulation therein be dis
charged from such service or labor. but shall be de-
livered up on claim of the party to whom such Ser
vice or labor may be due"
The act of Massachusetts,, in every paragraph, is
intended by its trainers avowedly to liberate, and
expressly provides for dischargng every slave from
such service or labor, and to prevent his being de-
livereG up under any circumstances to his owner.
The act of Congress of 1893 and the amendatory
act of 1850, providing for the rendSon of fugitive
slaves, enacted soely and expressly to execute
this clause of the constitution, and in accordance
with its spirit and letter.
The second clause of the sixth article of the con-
stituton also declare that the constitution and the
pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of the
land, and the judges in every State shall be bound
thereby anything in the constitution or laws of any
State to the contrary Notwithstanding"
1t requires argument to prove that the act OF
Massachusetts, is precisely such law or regulation
the constitution intended to provide against. If
any State thus violate and set at naugh the fun
damental law in one particular, it may in ALL and no
security safeguard is left for the preservation OF
rights liberties. If this government is worth
preserving, it must be maintained in its purity, and
| rights soemnly guaranteed must be respected. 1t
becomes subject of deep import and of vital conse-
| quence. The people that would tamely submit to q
deprivation of their rights unworthy of the appel
| laton Of freemen.
Virginia contributed with her hearts blood to es-
tablsh this Union. She cherishes its hallowed OBJ.
jects and would sacrifice much to maintain it. But
there is point when submission to injustice and
| gross wrong is degradation and infamy.
In the hope preserving the legacy of our fathers
and holding up these independent States, to the ad
miration of the world examples of the glorious
results of liberty restrained by wholesome laws,
Virginia has yielded much; borne much in patience
! permitted repeated and improper interference with
her domestic relations, endangering her peace wit
messed the violation of solemn obligations and com
pacts; and finally, unwarrantable assaults upon the
| constitution
We have warned our Northern brethren of the
evil tendency of their acts, not only in the direct
assault upon our rights but by the inevitable effect
of such course to destroy friendly relationship
We have reminded them Of our former happy in
tercourse and unqualified brotherly affection. We
have demonstrated, protested, appealed to them
Z" They too have been deaf to the voice of justice
and consangunity." 1t becomes US, then, to en-
quire solemnly, what course we shall pursue. Ma
ny suggestions have occupied the public mind.
By some it has been suggested to adopt system
of retaliation by taking possession of their vessels
and other property when within jurisdiction, and
by acting towards their owners when attempting to
assert their rights, precisely as they act towards
master attempting to his slave, passing laws
similar to theirs and harassing and annoying then
with criminal prosecutions penalties and forfeures
| By others it has been thought best to discriminate
against the States which exhibit hostility to our in
stitutons, by imposing rigid commercial restrictions
laying upon their goods, and obstructing the
intercourse by every means sanctioned by the Con
stituton. Some would appeal to sister States
who suffer similar ills with US. and recommend tht
call of Southern Convention to consult tog, thel
for safety and the security of property, and
if need be, resume those sovereign powers now del
gated to the general others woulC
at once rush into the alternative of dissoving tn,
Union and refuse to submit to constitutional prO