New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-03-26

to Be condemned for the spirit Of aggression and
resistance to Federal authority ii discloses But
the spirit Of encroachment and aggression comes
entirely from the other side. 1t came originally
from those who enacted the Fugitive law. This
law WIS passed eight years ago as healing
measure, under the oily and deusive suggestions Of
concession, cancellation and compromise. How
well it has answered its purpose, let the Personal
Liberty law Of Massachusetts,, and the removal Oh
Loripg under it, answer. But it is sheer impertl'
to urge that these are acts of causeess hos
tility to any other portion Of the Republic, or the
evidence of fanatical characterization to Federal
authority. They are, on the contrary, the enacted
and executed determination of resolute and clear
headed men. who know their rights and mean to
maintain them. We rest securely in the belief
that no Free State, whether Massachusetts or
WiicOnsiD or any other, will take any step back
ward in its resistance to the stealthy and daily
extending approaches of an overbearing central
domination.
We look upon the removal of Judge LOring as
after the late Judicial action in Wisconsin, one OF the
most manly acts of the Free States in hostility to
an unconstitutional domination. 1t is an exhibit
ton of proper spirit, under constitutional sane
TORS, and resting the clearest moral and legal
right. The event, we trust, inaugurates new era
in Free-State administration. The timidty OF the
North on such points has hitherto been prOyerbia,
ard in marked contrast with the bold and more in
dependent action of the Slave States. When We
would like to inquire have they hesitated to pass
such laws as they deemed advisable in regard to
persons within their limits, where their action bore
upon the Slavery question Do they not destroy
what they call incendsry publications Do they
not Danish citizens from their soil Do they not
imprison and sell into Slavery such persons as they
please and do they not refuse to be called to account
therefor But the patient long suffering people
of the Free States, have been educated in differ
ent school. They have had conservative teachers,
who have taught them to regard the dictate Of the
Federal Government az sacred, to be Obeyed with
uDquestioning submission. But now for the first
time almost, they have ventured upon the
ground Of asserting practicul hostility to OBJ
nOxiOus Federal Legislation. For this they are set
upon by the whole pack of Pro-Slavery hounds,
both in and out of the Free States while some
of those who should sustain the policy in question
seem alarmed at its bodness This is a natural
tremor after 60 long career of deferential sub
mission but it is a phase of the case that will
quickly wear of. The public is ahead of its guides
The North is upon solid ground in resisting the
aggressions of Slavery whether legislative or judi.
ciu, and little experience and little practice are
OF ly needed to give our people proper confidence
in resisting those entertainments by State action
We welcome this act of Massachusetts, as pioneer
movement. We greet il, not as contamination,
but as an earnest of what the future holds in store
in the same general line of legislation. State
Rights have long been in state of suspension in
the North. We take this act as an evidence
of wholesome change. 1t is the first move
ment after long sleep and is encouraging as an
indication that tie patient still lives and is beginning
to be convalescent.