Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-10
observation-disclosures MORE.

MASsACHUSETTS-O MORE.
The National bislligencer has republished in
its own columns, in erienso, the article from the
Boston Courier, on the law lately enacted by that
State to violate the Constitution of the United
States
If any thing were needed 10 show the depth of
the mire into which Massachusetts, has fallen this
article of the Boston Courier fully supplies the
omission.
Its whole tenor admits the fact Of its unconsti-
tutonality, of its injustice, Of its defect of comfy
Ii admits il TO be fragrant violation OF the rights
of citizens of the Southern States. The Courier
censures, in clear and manly terms, the fagit-
BUSINESS Of the law; but il does not affirm that the
people of Massachusetts, indignant at this law
insult to her good name; it does not hold
out the assurance that it will be repealed.
The tenor of the Courier's argument is, that
although the law will remain on the statute book, II
will be merely brut,im ft,l,.en. The Courier how
ever, does not venture the assurance that the law
had not the sanction of majority Of the people;
nor does it venture TO declare that il will be re-
pealed But it makes judicious appeal to the
South, not to relieve, in any degree, this bold
atrocity of violation Of the Constitution and the
rights Of citizens Of other States, by question
able retaliation, which would not only be unne-
cessary to render idle this law, but would leave
Massachusetts without the pitiful refuge Of say
ing other States have done she has The tenor
of the Courisr's article is commendable for its
clear denunciation of this measure, and the
ciliatory tone in which ii makes the suggestion,
that action is necessary on the part of the
H.
less law. The law may remain the Massa-
chusetts statute book, memento Of mpotent
malice
What assurances does the Courier offer that
the Fugitive Slave law will be enforced'
1t presumes that Governor Gardner, having
pronounced the law unconstitutional, will not
support it; that is, he will not order out the mill
tary of Massachusetts, TO shoot down the marshal
and government officers. Beyond that, there is
assurance of Governor Gardner Besides,
Governor Gardner S time hastens to close, and
what assurance does the Courier give that the
people who elected legislature which passed
this noxious law almost with unanimity, will not
elect governor Of their own stamp; Or, rather,
is it not almost certain that people, for whom
the Courier cannot give assurance of an mme
date repeal of this law, will elect man who ia
vors the law What, then, Messeurs of the
Courier?
The Courier, conscious of the insufficency Of
this plea, puts in another-which is, that in o
conflict between the State of Massachusetts, an6
the General Government, the latter can afford tc
spend large amount without feeling it, but that
the pocket of Massachusetts, is too sensitive foi
her virtue. In other words, she will rob tn,
South and violate the Constitution so long as sh,
can do so with impunity, and the only restrain
upon her is the touching of her pocket, and thi
the Courier assures will suffice
In n word, the whole sum and substance of tn
long article Of the Courier is -Massachusett
has, by an almost unanimous vote of her Legisla
ture, passed a law clearly violating the Constitu
tion Of the United States, and for the expires
purpose of robbing the people Of the South Q
their admitted property-that this law has tn
sanction of the people Of Massachusetts and wi
not be repealed-that while the guilt Of viola
ton Of the Federal Constitution and of the rights
southern citizens stands confessed-yet it is bette
for the South TO take no antagonistic steps-be
cause-and -enly because-the United States
supposed to be able to enforce il; or. rather pc:
sessing n longer purse than Massachusetts, ca
employ a greater force than Massachusetts,
willing 10 encounter the expense of raising.
The whole dcfenee-not defence-the Who'll
argument Of the Courier. resolves itself into III
simple allegation, that Massachusetts, is too mea
10 support by her money her assumed virtue.
The National IlielHgtncer, with the very pro
per purpose of warning other States against tn
same danger by inserting the article from til
Courier, holds up Massachusetts, TO the pity an
contempt Of her sister States.
Leave her in the glorious attitude in which tn
Courier has impaled her, and the InieHigencer ha
made her the public gaze.
As the whole object Of the Courier appears 4
be 10 save the dollars and cents which retaliation
threatens, confessing The niquity in lis fulles
extent, but assuring the South il is unnecessar,
TO punish Massachusetts by Withdrawing thei
custom, and putting in the plea that thougl
reckless enough 10 pass law which costs moth
ing but honor TO put II on the statute book We
the Courier assures, solemny assures US, that sh
is too mean TO pay for its enforcement.
The South can sometimes be magnanimous
and the plea Of the Courier may prevail
After this ism shall have served its purpose
Massachusetts, will get another for its idol, an
this, too, will 90 down the road Of time, addin,
another 10 the many black leaves in the book o
her history.
The unwholesome leaven which so constantll
agtates the State Of Massachusetts, is her lite
rary population, with little sense or virtue; bu
with memories stored with black letter learning
these men, the clergy especially, cram their me
mories with readings, which they know not hos
properly 10 apply, and they exhibit the ferocity
Of virtue without particle Of its beniiicence
Ffy-six Of the clergy, il has been stated, were In
the late Assembly -ffly-siK such are enough, IN
all conscience, to craze any assembly. and TO ac.
count Cor any folly. The clergy Of New Eng
land are mad men-whose furious pursuit aflei
fancied virtue discards the better dictates Of hu
mainly, chasing the fleeing phantom with Jug