Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-02-02
The Parsons pIll.


We publish in another column the bill
reported in the House Of Delegates Of vir-
gina. for the relief Of Mr.. James Parsons,
jr. The circumstances Of the case are
these: Several months ago, a slave to
Nj. Isaac Parsons, Uncle Of James, es-
capped from his masteriving in Ha mpshire
county, and made his uay to Pennsylva-
MIA. He was pursued by James Parsons,
jr., and taken in Blair county, Pa; but a
mob rescued him, and arrested James Par
sons, j.. on acharge of kidnapping. Par
sons was required to give $4,000 bail for his
appearance to answer the charge against
him.. on Monday last, in Blair county
Here the case stood, when the Virginia
Legislature, a few days previous to the
time when the Pennsylvania Court was to
meet, undertook to legislate for the relief
Of Parsons. Tie matter was referred to
committee. That committee reported
the bill referred to, which provides that
Parsons shall not make his appearance be-
fore the Pennsylvania court, to answer
a criminal prosecution, in penalty OF
Sc. 600, and that If his sureiies are made
to pay the $4,000 bail bopd, by the courts
Of Pennsylvania. they shall! be lndemni-
fed by Virginia. In that event, the Gov
efnor Of Virginia is authorized to lay the
matte. before the Governor of Penpsylva-
MIA. and if indemnify for The sum thus
paid by Virginia is not given within
twelve months, the Governor OF Virginia
Is authorized to make reprisals of the prop.
erty Of citizen, of Pennsylvania found
within the State. sufficient to pay The sum.
Tie bill passed the House, but was dis
agreed TO by the Senate, and very wisely
SO we think. 1t waa materially amended
III that body. SO that when it was returned
to the House, it only provided for the
payment Of the loss Of Mr.. Parsons. Mr..
Heitt became very indignant at this action
Of the Senate, and moved to lay the bill on
the table, be considering it an insult, in
the Senate's form, 10 Parsons and h,s
(Nlr. his CONSTITUENTS. a14 fJ# itsa
In our humble judgment, the whole
proceedings were unnecessary and useless.
Parsons went to Pennsylvania in pursuit
of his property, aud took possession of il
in obedience to one of the supreme laws
of the land--the Fugitive Slave Law
and the provision Of the Constitution of
the United States. IL the law here cited,
ou6 tha C,nnatifntson h.v., cr,. ,,:.,uo =. !.
force, then il seems to US, that any law Of
the State Of Pennsylvania contravening
either the letter or spirit thereof must be
Unconstitutional, aud consequently null
and void. Ii the Constitution of the Uni.
ted States says that fugitives escaping from
one State into another shall be reclaimed
by the owner, then any law Of Psnnsyl-
vania which declares the act Of retaining
such property kidnapping. that law be-
comes treason to the United States gov
ernment, and rebellion against the supreme
law of the land. II passes. then, from the
jurisdiction Of the States, and becomes
matter Of adjudication in the Supreme
Cour, of the United States. Then should
Parsons be convicted by the courts Of
Pennsylvania, and imprisoned as a Grim.
inal under one Of the statues of the State
which has been declared Unconstitutional,
because it conflicts with the constitution
and a supreme law, it would only be nee-
essary for Judge OF the Supreme Court to
sue on, habeas corpus for Parsons, pro-
nounce the law by which his liberty had
been taken from him, unconstitutional, and
let him go. If Pennsylvania would lake
exception 10 such proceeding, she could
double up her first and take tilt at the
Federal Government. These are our
views Of the subject. We have laws sufh-
Gent to protect our rights and interests
Let them..be executed, and all will be
right. Tie hot-haste Of the House in this
matter, adds neither 10 its dignity, nor its
chivalry. 5zs..