Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-06-24
The Fugitive Slave Law.

We are sometimes inquired OF By slave
democrats, whether we are in favor Of the
fugitive slave law. and whether we would
aid in it, execution! To all such inquiries
we have hut one answer. We are unalter-
ably opposed to the law, and no power I'M
der heaven can ever make US, either direct
" or indirectly, aid in It's execution. From
the FIRST examination we ever made Of this
harharous act down 10 the present time, we
have been all the way along strengthened in
our conviction. that u is clearly uncon',i.
tu,ional. senator Summers mastery speech
upon the uncon.,iiutionaliiy Of this man
stealing enactment. is 10 our mind perfectly
conclusive upon thi. question. This speech
never has been and never can he answered.
MANY Of the most learned Judicial minds in
the country concur with senator Sumner.
\ m,jpri,y Of the judges Of the Supreme
Court in Wisconsin have decided the ac,
unconstitutional. and recently two Of the
supreme Judge. in OHIO gave the same oPin-
ION. We believe in the Declaration Of In.
dependence. lin the inalicnable rights Of
man: that all men. black or white, have a
right to their personal liberty. Because
one man has il ia hls power 10 reduce an
other man by brute force 10 "servi,udc,"
that is no ryasou in our mind why the weak.
er party should not regain his liberty it be
can get IL. The bond slave has just as good
a moral, natural righ, TO reduce his master
70 slavery. as his master hid 10 make him
his servant against hi. will and We always
reoice when We hear Of the safe arrival Of
the painting fugitive in the free dcminions
Of Queen Victoria. We not only rcjoicc to
hear that the underground railroad Is doing
a good business in aiding the oppressed
wander,r IRON the land Of whips and man.
acl,s 10 the realms Of British freedom. but
We would invoke the malcdictions OF llea.
ven upon the reptiles in human shape, in
the Tree States, who Tor money, - far for
gets hi. manhood as 10 turn bloodhound cor
man-.teal.rs, and assist IN again sending
hack TO slavery the heroic slave who i. ay-
Ing from bondage and oppression. Al such
craven hearted villains deserve TO he public
ly lyucbsd.and sent ou, Of the country.
There is something sublime in the idea
entertained BY the poor ignorant, slave, when
he e,cape- from hi- bondage and start. for
the land Of liberty. By day be hides away
from hi' blood thirsty pursuers in the
swamp. aud deserts. while BY night be ven-
turcs out, and following the guidlaos Of ne
north star, tolls on, hungry and IN rags, to-
ward, haven OF rest. We repeat, there Is
something sublime in the idea Of the poor
fugitive taking as his director the north
star. This unrrrins guide to these helpless
wanderers, points down from Heaven and
beckons them away TO "somr favored spot
where
'' Tie rect. NJ. hhor. ps,,ms. strength spd heahh
Are not the portions u masIer'' wealth
The fugitive slave Law is a burning dis.
grace to the American name. IL is dis
grace 20 civilization and religion, and an
impious iudignlty to high Heaven. 1t i'an
act which deserves to be execrated, hated
and de.pis,d by every man who has the soul
Of man in his bosom. II should be held
up 10 the scorn Of every patrio, and chris
tan in the land. and eIpunsed by Congress
from our statute books.