The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-16
"REpuBLIcAN'' MULTIPLICATION.

The most excited nufer ever known at the
south never proposed to refuse obedience to CON
stutiona laws. His proposed action was to be based
n,oo those made without constitutional authority
This mint was to be first clearly and concusivey es-
oblished Even when resting upon this foundation,
notification found favor in but limited portion Of
fine counry-the people generally preferrng to await
t,c regular judicial action OF the courts, declaring
laws objected to void, before treating them as IN
valid, This view Of tho matter pointed to harmony,
neoce, and quiet and, according to the laws, that
respect and consideration to which, from the source
whence they emanated, they Were justly entitled,
Massachusetts, took great credit to herself for the ef
forts of one of her statesmen in opposing notification
pronomcing him "god-like," while she exhausted her
stock of harsh ephets upon all nullitiers Scarcely
have the remains of her great statesman reached their
final resting place before the republicans" who
control her law-making power and political action
become in substance and effect, nulliflers not bold
and manly but mean and dastardly, acting by indrec
ton and through modes not subject to review by the
higher tribunals of the country. tits known that the
fugitveslave law is deemed constitutional by the en-
tire Supreme Court, including Justices Mclean and
Curtis The bar and bench of the whole country, al
most without exception entertain the same opinion,
including those opposed to the policy of enacting it.
Massachusetts,, and some other States of the same
political stamp, have sought to nullify not only the
recent act, but also that approved and signed by
Washington. Instead of aiding in the execution Of
these laws she has enacted others to thwart and do
feat their operation within her boundaries. Had her
hostile legislation accomplished the objects in view,
the acts of Congress would have failed to have effect
within the State. They would have been defeated
by Indirect assault Not wholly succeeding in this,
mode of operations has been contrived, and is
being carried into effect The fugitiveslave laws
qUro the official services of United States com
missioners appointed by the circuit court. Not be-
ing able to remove them, and not venturing to
punish them by penalties or indictments for act
Ing in the execution of the laws of Congress- she has
invented new mode of punishment She depriyes
them of such local official positions as may have
been conferred upon them. Judge Loring is one of
her able and upright probate judges. Under her
constitution the Legislative functionares, designated
and clothed with power for that purpose, have de-
manded of the governor the removal Of this able
Judge, whose only offence is that he holds an office
under the laws of the United States, in which it has
been, and may again be- his duty 10 aid in the exc
cuton Of constitutional laws. This is his whole of
ience and for it he is to be punished by being de-
pnved of All important State Office This is indirect
notification, and of the most cowardly kind. 1t must
sink its authors in the estimation of all highminded
and honorable men. No party can long sustain it.
sell IN power that resorts to such unmanly to
accomplish its unlawful and unjust purposes. They
will learn that all men having noble hearts and manly
sentiments dcspise such cowardy conduct, and viii
never afterwards lend them their confidence, but
treat them with the contempt which their acts show
they deserve