Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-05

OF We invite the attention of our readers
to the following able article from the ,Jov,7,ul
Of Commerce:
SECTIONAL LEGIsLATIoN.-The proceed
ings which resulted in the adoption of the
Constitution of the United States, were of
character to arouse the whole energies of the
people, and to call forth their highest wisdom
and patriotism. The work performed by the
Convention commanded the immediate and
warm assent of the best citizens throughout
the Union, and has been ever since appreci-
ated and applauded by all eminent civilians,
and statesmen, as the most perfect that ever
came from human hands. Ii is still consid-
cred the masterpiece of human wisdom, by
the wise, virtuOus, and solid people of every
part of the United States. In the ordinary
workings of our numerous State Govern
ments. a class Of men has been thrown into
public life who possess but a small share, If
any, of the capabilities and the patriotic feel
ing which animated the great men Of the
Revolution, and they seem intent on destroy
ing, through State legislation, what was built
up with so much intelligence, caution, and
care A bill has been introduced into the Leg
of the Constitution as STIMULATES for the return
Of fugitive slaves. Ii assumes the form of a
proceeding to give efficacy to the writ of
HaJeds Corpus and the right of trial by Jury.
1t is, in truth a part of the sectional warfare
upon the South known by the name of Sew
ardsm, a species of treason which owes its
origin and its continuance to low ambition and
to mean passions, which seeks its qualification
even by breaking asunder the strongest cords
that bind us together rs one harmonious
people. The philanthropsts and philoso-
phers-the ID. DPS and the l.. l.. DIS of
Eastern colleges--who take part in this in
testine warfare, are but instruments in the
hands of crafty politicians, to aid in their ele-
walton. They cannot know what bitter fruits
must result from coml ined and long contn-
ued attack upon the property, the rights and the
welfare of the Southern people. The South
is driven into the attitude of resistance by the
deepest interest which can operate upon a
great community. Their refusal TO allow
that interest to be invaded is upheld by that
punctilious national pride, which ought to be
wide spread among the American people.
The clause in the Constitution which stipu-
lates that fugitives from labor and from JUS
tce " shall be delivered up belongs to that
description of cases which the term extra
dition" indicates. These cases, arising under
treaties with foreign nations, and under local
laws, have received well known treatment
and adiucation. Who would ever think OF
calling jury to decide between the United
States and Great Britain, whether fugitive
from justice should be returned, as stipulated
by treaty? The bill in question, introduced
into our Legislature, seeks TO transfer the To-
cality of the trial, which it Improperly re-
quires, from the South, where the witnesses
and parties reside, TO this States, where access
cannot be had to them, but with the greatest
difficulty. What would be thought Of a like
rule applied TO fugitives from Great Britain,
demanded under our treaty stipulation Are
we not Hound TO trust TO the justice of Great
Britain Dove not expect when we demand
a fugitive-the murder of Poole for instance
that the Executive power which forms
/ treaties, will-without trial by jury in the
foreign locality, on the question of guilt or in
nocence-act promptly and return him
/ VIII it be a sufficient answer TO this Govern
ment to say that a jury was called in the for
eign State, and the witnesses did not appear
to prove the guilt of Baker, and hence he was
discharged? The answers to these questions
must prove to any unprejudiced mind, that
the bill before the Legislature seeks to change
not only the rule of law applicable TO the ex-
tradition Of fugitives, but in effect the Con.
stitution of the United States The grav,
question then arises what will be the ulti
mate effect of these legislative proceeding
to annul the Constitution Unless it shall
be seen at the South that these measures pro
coed from the ignorant unpatriotic and flnat
cal minds which have been thrown upon In,
surface by the calm of politics, and that ulti
mately corrective will be applied by ia,
solid people of the North-it must be clea
that a violation of the Constitution in mat
ter of such great import to the South, will il
the end form us into two people, with differ
ent and opposing interests, held together by
mere rope of sand. The weak and misguid
ed men who are prosecuting their effort to Oh
tain power at the expense of DESTROYING III
friendly and amicable relations in which tn
Government was created, are not only th
worst enemies of the Constitution, but Of tina
general liberty in whose sacred name they wag
their warfare against the peace and happines
:, of the United States. There is no step s.
important to the true welfare of the Norther
States at this moment, as 10 place in pOwe
= those and those only, who are mindful Of tn
duties imposed 10y the Constitution, and wh
will perform what is imposed as a burthe
with the alacrity with which they accer
whatever is granted as a benefit The wis
dom and virtue of Americans viii ever b
tested by the proofs which they furnish Of lie
votion 10 the Constitution, a. il was establish
ed by the immortal Washington and his asso
ciates.