Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-07-02
WORD OF CAUTION.

We have been much panied to witness attempts,
In certain quarters. to force upon the Republican
party political issues TO which it was IN no wise
committed by the original bond of its organization.
We refer to issues growing out Of the fugitive
slave Law Of 1850.
However odious that law may BIO to the great
mass Of Republicans, the party, ut the time of its
organisation, did not see fit to make opposition to
Il a condition of fellowship in it, ranks. The
Philadelphia Platform does not so much as allcde
to the subject. When the platform was erected,
the law had been in force six years, and bad been
the subject Of as much comment throughout the
country as il has been since. The subject was
therefore excluded from the platform deliberately
and designedly. The Convention, having laid
down the principles to which the organization was
.oomtaitted, invited "the a~fhliation Of freemsn Of
all parties. howeUer differing FROM as,in other res
pects, In support of the principles" declared in the
platform. Opposition to the fugitive slave law not
being ole CT the principles SO declared, those who
approved of that law were invited to join the or
xaniration, as we'll as those opposed to it, provided
they we're opposed to the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise" and to "the extension of Slavery
into Free Territory" We are well aware Of the
fact, that many did join the organization, and
have thus far acted with it, who do not consider
the fugitive slave law unconstitutional, and never
will consent to join in a crusade against it. A
still larger number, who do consider the act both
uncoustitutiona and oppressive, cannot subscribe
to the doctrine that its execution should be forcibly
resisted BY the State courts and State authorities.
In Joining the Republican organization, they COM
mitted themselves to no such doctrines, nor can it
DO expected that they will permit a portion of their
brethren to commit them to such doctrines now.
Those who have worked Themselves up to the
point of believing that the execution of this odious
and oppressive act may rightfully be, and ought
10 be, resisted by State authority, have q right,
both as citizens and Republicans, to the enjoyment
of their opinions. So also have those who hold
che contrary doctrine. Neither the one class nor
shs other has any righ, to denounce or prescribe
any member ofthe Republican party for not agree
ing with it on this point.
We know many Republicans, who have always
boon bitterly opposed to the fugitive slave Law
who regard it as an outrage upon the people of the
free States, and a fragrant violation of the Consti'
tuition, but who hold, nevertheless, that the State
courts have no authority to interfere and prevent
Its execution. They hold that the power to decide
upon the constitutionality Of an act of Congress,
is vested, by the Constitution. in the Federal
courts; and that any interposition by the State
courts to prevent the execution of an act of Con-
press on the ground of unconstitutionality, after il
has been pronounced constitutional by the Su.
preme Court of the United States, acting within
tho sphere of its jurisdiction. is sheer notification,
and subversive of the principles which lie at the
very foundation of the Federal Union. They hold
that il the State courts OF Ohio or Wisconsin have
tina right to arrest the execution of the fugitive
slave law because they deem it unconstitutional.
on the same principle the State courts of South
Carolina or Alabama must be permitted to prevent
the execution Of the laws Of Congress prohibiting
the African slave trade. or for the collection Of the
Federal revenues within those states, if they deem
them uncon stitu,ional In short, they hold that II
State courts may thus interfere to prevent the ex-
seusion of Federal lave, the Union Is already
practically dissolved.
Whether these opinions are right or wrong i
will not do to ignore the fact that they are honest
u entertained By a large portion of those wht
have hitherto acted with the Republican party
and supposed themselves in full fellowship witt
the organization. Yet there are some holding diff
erent opinions. who seem TO desire to enforce theii
peculiar doctrines into the platform of the party
and to compel every member Of it to march up Il
their standard, or to march out Of the party. IL
al such We respectfully put the question. whether
they think the Republican party strong enough t'
hear a disision on such an issue And If it should
divide upon such an issue. do they suppose tina
eithsr section would be strong enough to carr.
ths election 10 half q dozen Statesf
No doubt . large majority Of the Republican