Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1859-08-17
Ton ceIwin on the rusitive slave Law,

Tom Ccrwin on the Fugitive Slave Law.
Tie Hon Thomas CorNin, Of Ohio, recently
addressed his constituents, and among Othel
thngs, Is reported 10 have said the following;
Il was hls deliberate opinion that Congress has
'ho pawor % make proper, and suitable law u
Hplnre fugitive slaves as we'll az fugitves FROM
lnhH'i, ANA 10 could not agree wl,h those par.
sond "l e2tTeiae News who maintained IL 10 DO
che duty oI citizens conscientiously opposed u u
law % resist ils enforcement and lsfelieyed that
nlnetoon'twentelhs of the Republican partv of
Ohio agree with him. just before eomin, upon
The stand note had been slipped into his hand
10y some person unknown tu him, which lao would
read, yil.
Hon. Yhos, COuria - Ia your speech hero las,
iall you denounced as had citizens those who
would not uul could not conscienIi0usly aid In
executing THE fugitive slgyo law. Now, cir,
wish 10 know how any man who believes slave
holding to Ice immoral can aid in the execution nl
SAID law, unless lie undertakes TO fight both
against God ana his cwu Coincidence. Swearing
10 support the constitution hays M one under any
obligation TO auppor, or aid IN executing eaid
law, Tor you know aud every unparalleled man
knows that IL Is unconstitutional in several OF
iIs features. (signCd) \ CrzsN.
Mr.. Corwin remarked upon the note at length,
the substance VI his sentiments being that lac did
not mean 10 denouuCo any man Us n bad man who
'V'"esS w 'N'F Wv NV, bWh lutt no Tes,GTutN ~
the sacred dGty OF every citizen to obgy the law
WHOM 10 GhOuli baye been decided as eueh by The
Legislative and judicial departments Of the Goun-
try lie who would not, could not ha q l;ocd c.-
izen. Il was rather absurd, aud The principle
carried out, that one man should presume 10 say
a law Is unconstitutional, und condemn Jll OF his
ieilow-ctizeu; ag ignorant, especially whese ey-
cry court ip the United States had declared the
law cUn3titutiOnal
This fugitive slave law Judge Mclean, an earn
ast nn!-savery man, has dGClaroO constitutional
lu so mgny wogdg. Can any man say he IN rigat
and MI the world wrongl He would admire =
man who would sacrifice himself for principle,
because he would guarantee his honesty. Yet
he would say the law must bo obeyel, Ga4 if you
do not like it, repeaiil. Suppose Brigham Young
should ctDle hcrc with his forty two women, and
be arrHlgued, how would yOu regard it if lc
should eet up tho plea "AIy conscience and the
word of God, as read in the book of Mormon, |
tells me am rightl" He (Mr. COrw.u) would .
have men obey The law, and jC they disobeyed, TIC .
agllI bring their heads to the block, If the law
'cQUirci it, lie dislked the fugitive slave law
{ was q bad law and an unjust law. He would .
lot have voted for IL ii hu had been in the Senate
But 1t is the law and must be obeyed. The con.
igitution recognizes tins iGw. Tho rigGt u re.
capture could be asserted under the uOnstitu /
ion il YOU had 10 law, The coarts of the Uni |
.ed States have jurisdiction OF the Whole cUun
ny, and Wit Of error would takG case before /
il from your highest State tribunal, and the Su-
Dreme coul, you'd inevitably GcsiGe in favor ol
he recapture upon evidence. il you would put
Inc law aside ia one case. you wguid IL another
,ud what wQuii be tho ry-ult?