Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-04-12

away negroes -Er.
The character Of the State Of Ohio
is redeemed. The law multiplying the
acts Of the Congress Of the United
States has been repealed.
Whatever may be our opinions up
on the subject Of slavery; whether we
consider the institution . benefit, or .
curse to the State in which it now cx-
issa, it cannot but be admitted BY al,
that the fugitive slave law-or some
similar LAWS q necessity.
The fact that slavery existed in all Of
the States at the time Of the contract Of
confederation and that there was then
no question IS to the right of one State
to demand the rendition of a slave e.
Gaping into another State; the circum-
stances under which the contract was
made; the intimate commercial and
social relations existing between the
States and the necessity ofs constautp pas
sage through one State, BY the citizens
Of another; the whole character OF our
government and the express provisions
Of the Constitution regarding the rem
ditiou of fugitives from labor, not only
substantiates the reasonableness of the
law; but entitled the States, in which
slavery has not been abolished, TO de-
mand Of the Legislative authorities OF
the nation, law providing for the
capture Of fugitive slaves.
The Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives approaching the rcasonatleness
and justice Of the request Of the South
enacted the Fugitive Slave Law.
Every one will remember the uni
versal howl, which went up" from the
mouth of the-thcn Abolition, now
Republican-party on that occasion.
The only parallel to the "hubbub" then
raised, within our recollection, is the
"shriekings" over "bleecing Kansas
which have been uttered, by the same
party-under different name.
Although, at the time, these "agits-
tors" succeeded in raising an excite
ment and in creating an intense popu-
lar feeling, at the North, against the
bill; yet on sober reflection, it was
sustained by almost the united voice of
the people. And subsequently it was
adjudged by the most august tribunal
in christcndom-thc Supreme Court
of the United States-to be constitu-
tional.
Thus coming to them, sustaincd-as
a measure Of justice and policy-by
the assembled wisdom of Congress, and
sanctioned by judgment Of the Su-
preme Court, it should, at least, have
been entitled to the respect of the cit
liens of each State of the confedcra-
ton.
But not satisfied with this, the Re-
publitans Of the States of Machusetts
and Ohio appealed to ''higher law
a law having no governing principles,
control by no prccedents and incapable
Of being sustained by either reason or
policy.
Not content with treating the law
with contemplated villifying its supper
tiers they enacted laws setting it at de-
fiance, and providing for the punish
ment Of any federal officers who should
dare to do his duty.
The scheme thus planned by the
Republicans of Ohio, was not carried
out by. them, simply because no proper
opportunity offered. They did not
want the will, to defy the laws of their
country, and to violate the sacred COM
pact existing between the States; but,
the occasion, did not present itself.
The democrats of Ohio, immediate
Iy upon their coming into power-to
their honor be it said-havc repealed
the notification law and the statute
books Of the State, once more, stand
fair before the world.
With Massachusetts,, however, the
case is different. They not only allow
the law to continue its existence but
have within few weeks, under its pro-
visions, removed an officer for putting
it in execution.
The course Of Massachusetts in thus
continuing. her opposition to the laws
Of the general government and in the
removal Of Judge Loring, is but anoth.
er evidence of the fact that, that State
is willing to sacrifice every principle o.
justice and loyalty to an impracticable
and fanatical spirit Of philanthropy.
The Democrats of Ohio have done
their duty. Arc the Republicans o.
Massachusetts at this late hour, ready
to retrieve their past misconduct
TM Mr.. w. H. Merriam, late Of Troy. N
had hacOmn odifnr;ollx, :.