Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-07-13
WHOLE NUMBER LIZA.

feet of the stipulation in our favor it
must be borne in mind that IL has the
character of what is called extradition
ire aties; that is, treaties to deliver up
fugitives from justice. which in good
faith require not only that the paper
where the fugitive is found shall place
no impediment in the way of his re-
clamation, or even to stand neutral,
but that he shall take active meas
ures to seize and deliver him up.
Against this fragrant breach of faith
more sacred than any treaty stipula-
ton. by this act Of Pennsylvania and
similar acts of other States, the Con-
stitution affords no effectual remedy.
The appeal to the Federal Court is a
mere farce. The expense, the delay
and the means it affords for the escape
of the slave, makes it no remedy at
all, while our principles and safety will
not permit us to resort for remedy to
the principles of the force bill, passed
to compel the obedience of this State.
There is and can be but one reme-
dy short of disunion, and that is to re-
taliate on our part by refusing to fulfill
the stipulations in their favor, or such
as we may select as the most efficient
Among these, the right of their ships
and commerce to enter and depart
from our ports is the most effectual.
and can be enforced.
That tie refusal on their part would
justify Us to refuse to fulfil on our
part those in their favor is too clear to
admit of argument. That it would be
effeciual in compelling them to fulfill
those in our favor can hardly be doubt
ed, when the immense profit they make
by trade and navigation out of us is
regarded, and also the advantages we
would derive from the direct trade il
would establish between the restof the
world and oar ports.
My impression is that it should be
restricted to sea-going vessels, which
would leave open the trade Of the val
ley of the Mississippi to New Orleans
by river and to the other southern cit
les by railrofd; and tend thereby to
detach the northwestern from the
northeastern States.
Nor. is there any impediment from
the power of Congress to regulate csm-
merce among the States. The right
of the States to adopt laws to protect
their health, their internal policy and
peace and safety is paramount to the
right of Congress to regulate COM
merce. You find the subject fully ar
gued in my report on the subject ol
circulating incendiary publications
through mail and the speech made or
the occasion. Several of the State.
have acted on it in. reference to The
subject of abolition. and especially this
State and Virginia.
There is but one practical difficulty
in the way. and that is, to give i
force it will require the cooperation
OF all the slayeholding States lying or
the Atlantic and the Gulf. Withou,
that il would be ineffective. To gel
that is the great point, and for thai
purpose a Convention Of the Southern
States is indispensable.
Let them be called, and let il adopt
measures to bring aboas the co-opera-
ton, and / would underwrite for the
rest. The non-Slaveholding States
would be compelled TO observe the
stipulations Of the Constitution in oul
favor. or abandon their trade with us
or to take measures to coerce us, which
would throw on them the responsible
ty Of dissolving the Union. Which
they would chose | do not think doubt
ful. Their unbounded avarice would
in the end control them.
Let a Convention be called, let j
recommend to the Slaveholding States
to take the course advised, giving, say
one years notice before the act Of th'
several States shall go into effect; ant
the issue would fairly be made VI
and our safety and triumph would b
certain.
have written fully, hurriedly. an'
in the midst of the pressure Of m,
engagement, but hope, with sufli
cient clearness TO be fully understood
aimed at nothing higher. / shall b
happy to hear from you during the ses
sion Of your Legislature and at al
times when you find il convenient b
write. Yours truly,
j. G. CALHOUN.
PERCY WALKER, Esq, Mobile.