Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-01

Es- .. IL. =. STEM, is authorized agent
for collecting accounts due this office and for OBJ
tanning new subscribers in Virginia.
TRANSIT OF SLAVES THROUGH FREE
STATES.
The seizure by the Abolitionists of a slave
belonging to the Rev. Mr.. Dennison, while pas
cision of the State courts pronouncing that
seizure lawful, has presented to the people OF
the South an interesting and vital question.
We are aware that it is utterly idle to reason
with Abolitonists, and to attempt to moderate
the rancor of fanatics nor shall we undertake
so hopeless a task. But it is proper that those
who have been deluded by Abolitionsts, and
that those whose rights of property are placed
in jeopardy, should be put in possession of the
truth.
With this view we. purpose presenting our
views on the right enjoyed by shareholders, of a
transit with their slaves, through the non-slave-
holding States. This right is thus stated in a
resolution recently adopted by public meeting
in Kentucky:
sour right of transit through the free States
with our slaves, is perfect right under the
Constitution of the Union"
That a State has the right, the sole and ex-
elusive right, to determine for itself the ques.
ton of slavery, is 100 plain proposition to re-
quire argument. But when, in the exercise OF
this right, which is Of the essence of sover-
eighty, State declares that slavery or involun-
tary servitude shall not exist within its borders
it merely provides rule for its own citizens.
1t only declares that slaves shall not be held
and kept as slaves within its limits
But the right of transit by masters, with their
slaves, is altogethera different thing. No State
has the right to deny such transit 1t is given
by the Constitution, plainly and clearly given,
when the Constitution ordained that citizen
of each State shah be entitled to the privileges
of citizens of the several States, and that ves-
sells from one State should not be bound to enter
or pay duties in another, it meant to secure to
all persons the right of free transit throughout
the Union, both for persons and property. Nor
can State limit this right or impose conditions
on it that tend to defeat or destroy it.
No sane man will deny that the Constitution
recognises the institution Of slavery. Nor will
it be contended by any one, save an abolition
fanatic, that the Constitution provides for the
recovery of fugitive slaves, whether such fugi-
tives seek an asylum in slave or non.slavehold-
ing States. A slave may escape from his mas
ter while resident on his plantation, or while in
the act of transmission from one place to an.
other. A STAKEHOLDER may be moving with his
slaves to distant State, in which slavery ex-
lists, and he may have to pass through free
States in order to reach his destination. If his
slave escape from him whilst journeying
through these free States, such escape is pre-.
cisely one Of the cases Of fugitive slaves con.
templated in the Constitution, and provided for
by the law passed in pursuance of the Consti
tuition.
The State of Georgia might declare that
horses shall not be held as property in Geor.
gia. A Virginian or South Carolinian NOV.
ing to Alabama, would still have the right to
pass through Georgia with his horses, without
the fear Of molestation. But slave property is
Of superior dignity to horse property. The
first is specifically protected by the Constitu.
ton, while the other is not mentioned at ALL
But this outrage, perpetrated in Ohio on
the Rev. Mr.. Dennison, is marked by circum.
stances Of peculiar aggravation. When we
consider the origin Of Ohio and the other
States that have been formed ont of the
Northwestern Territory, this decision must
appear monstrous. Virginia donated to the
Federal Government the territory now com.
prising those States; and yet, according to
this decision, she has not even reserved
to her citizens the poor privilege Of passing
through them, without being robbed of their
property. We call ourselves one people; and
yet, according TO this decision Of the Ohio
courts, steamer navigating the Ohio or Mis-
sssippi with slaves on board, is liable to be
boarded and have the slaves taken from her
by the civil authorities if she only touches at
any point in the free States. Such decision
at once places Ohio in position Of hostility to-
wards the South. The South has claimed the
right Of transit by her slaves through the free
States, not only as a constitutional right guar.
antied by the laws Of the Union, but as an act
Of comfy which she might have expected from
even friendly people.
1t may seem to some matter Of superero-
cation gravely to argue this right Of transit.
Nor shall we dwell longer upon it. We have
said thus much, because we..regard the denial
Of this right as the greatest outrage yet com.
mitted by fanaticism. It is not only viola
ton OF the Constitution, but, in the absence Of
constitutional guarantees it would be gross
offence against that comfy that subsists be.
tween civilized nations. The Union of these
States will, indeed, cease TO be cherished as a
blessing, when such lawless and hostile acts are