Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-04-07
Qemutratir gtate Girket
FOR GOVERNOR,
IsHAM C.. HARRIS.
Slavery in Territories.

lOu. ~ ~ DouSido anu uiS aehrf
ents among the So!t-shell politi-
clans of the North, contend that the
Kansas Nebraska Act recognizes and
comedies to the people Of the terrific
ries the same sovereign powers of
legislation with regard to their do
nestle concerns, as the people of the
States themselves possess; and there
fore, that, although the Supreme
Court has decided, that slaves may
be taken into the territore. and held
as property, the people of the terrific
ries may refuse to protect that species
of property and thus exclude it, or
may exclude it by positive unlriendly
legislation. This doctrine is r,pUdi
ated by the South. 1t makes no dis
tincttion between the powers of a
State and territorial government.
Even a bad rule, however, it seems
may work both ways; and it may
surprise the anti-slavery politicians
of the North to find that they have
been taken at their word, and their
guns turned against themselves in
one of the territories, which they
had supposed dedicated to Free Soil:
Negro slavery is recognized, and
property in slaves amply protected,
by "a recent act OF the New Mexico
Legislature. This act passed unani-
mously in one branch, and without a
dissenting vote in the other.
This act defines such as are trea.
ted in it as slaves to be persons OF
African descent, and is not to be con-
strucd SO as to include poems.
1t denounces the same penalty fol
killing a slave that is visited on the
homicide Of a white man. For steal.
ing or enticing away a slave, The
penalty is not less than four years
imprisonment, and may be ten and a
fine not less than $500 nor more
than $4,000 Accomplices in the
stealing are treated as principals
Any person fraudulently furnishing
slaves free papers is Liable to an inn
prisonment of not less than six
months nor more than five years,
aud a fine Of not less than ST 90 nor
more than $1,000. Any person en-
deavoling to excite slave to insur-
rection, conspiracy, or rebellion, is
punishable by imprisonment OF not
less than three months nor more than
three years, and a fine of not less
than SO nor more than 81 ,OOO.-
The same penalty is denounced on
whoever, save bis master, gives, sells.
or hires to a slave deadly weapon;
and also, the same for trading with a
slave without the written permission
Of the master, expressing the article
of traffic; also, the same for forging
such permit Gaming with slaves
is prohibited, under a penalty of not
over 500 or three months imprison.
ment. Sheriffs are to take custody
of runaway slaves, and in. twelve
months. fno owner appears, after an
advertisement for that length of time,
shall sell them. Persons failing
properly 20 provide for the support
of their slaves may be required to
give bond to do it. Inhuman treat
ment of slave is punished by a
fine of not more than $1,000 and
Imprisonment of not more than one
year. Shareholders are prohibited
from allowing slaves to hire their own
time. Disorderly conduct of a slave
sshfsic, and insolence to white men,
ISL s."ss,1 BY stripes not exceeding
:au "ould oe--v other offences of
give evidence against for a white