Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-04-21

Fatal hamlssiou.


sion of the fundamental and VITAL principles
Of the Republican Party and should n0t be
left unrspudiated for a single moment. The
Editor states that "it is acknowledged BY the
Republicans, that property in slaves is rocog-
niaed aed protected by the Constitution [Of the
United States, presume and that slave own
srs have a right Of recspture." | here insert
the whole paragraph from the Herald, that no
injustice may be done to that generally sound
and very able paper;
But is not true that Republicans cannot be
trusted, when it becomes their legal duty TO en-.
force this law, Il is acknowledged by the Re.
publicans that property In slaves is recognized
and protected by the Constitution, and that
slave owners have a right Of recRpture.--
While many Republicans hold the Webster doc
trine that, as an original question, the power to
pass the laws that shall give force 10 the clause
Of the Constitution guaranteeing right of re-
capture, rests with the States, and while others,
who admit the right Of Congress TO pass such
laws, think many features in the law Of 1850
are unconstitutional, all Of them acknowledged
the validity Of the present Fugitive Slave law
until il shall be repealed or until the proper
Court shall pronounce il unconstitutional
Neither do Republicans quarrel with the infer.
ior Federal Courts for obeying those decisions
of the Supreme Federal Court, by which that
law has been pronounced constitutional. In
the execution Of the strict letter Of that law
and every criminal law should be executed ac-
cording TO its strict letter-Republeans are as
trust worthy as Democrats. Such we under
stand 10 be Republican doctrine and the as
sertion of Democratic demagoguss, OF of De-
mocratic pettifoggers, to the contrary, is a base
slander-a downright falsehoOd,
The second sentence in this paragraph. ii
seems to me, is founded in gross misaprehen-
sion Of the Constitutional views Of the great
mass OF the republican party, as well as Of the
clear letter, and the uadOW5fed spirit Of the Con-
situation OF the United States itself, and Of the
principles and convictions Of the trainers Of that
instrument.
If the Heraid's interpretation of the Con-
stituton be right il must be taken with all its
legitimate consequences. The right Of prop
erty in slaves under the Constitution of the
United States Che acknowledged supreme
law of the land" carries with il, not only the
"right of recapture, " but the right of importa
tiOn inio, and detention IN the sTATrs and in
the TERRITORIES of the United states al
The concession of this point, comedies every.
thing which the STAKEHOLDER and his tools can
desire and law suit for the possession of the
body and soul of IMMORTAL man, degenerates
into mere scramble between sportsmen for
the possession and ownership of a cameo oek
ora mastiff
If the position of the Herald be right, it is
as well to leave the government in the hands Of
the Slave Democracy, inasmuch as in the game
of slave catching, they have their hands in "
and will do up the job more to the satisfaction
Of the shareholders.
But the concession is not more ropugnant To
the civilization and Christianity of the AFTER
noon of the nineteenth century," than it is to
the Constitution of the United States, in its
LETTER and spirit.
If property in slaves is recognized and
protected by the Constitution of the United
States as the Herald asserts, then, the 81 re-
oOgnition and protection not only can, but
must be found in the text of the Constitution
itself" No implication or forced construction
of this instrument, can be admitted for the &C.
commodation of either STAKEHOLDER or dough.
face. The grant of this right, is either in the
Constitution or nowhere.
The grant of this Odious power, is not in the
Constitution; but on the contrary, all men,
ana the power ic to "a ae TBGsG22gnzed Bs2s
whatever color, of 'life, liberty or property
without due process oflaw," is absolutely pro-
hibited; and the prohibition is as obligatory on
Congress and the Courts of the United States
as it is on tho Courts of the several States.
No other doctrine than this will stand the
est of enlightened and impartial investigation;
Tor can any party wrench the sceptre from the
'rasp of the besotted Slave Democracy, upon
ny other issue, neither would success upon
ny other, restore the mangled Constitution to |
Is primeval vigOr, nor be worth the sacrifices !
ssential to success
Estate Right" must be vindicated by the State
)ourts; or State annihlation is the next step in
he march of this Slave Democracy; and it is !
etter to be prepared for the vindication of the |
ights of the people of the States, than to be |
making uncalled for concessions TO our mortal |
olitical enemies, and the enemies of American
berty- enemies who will only use the conces-
ion to head the rivets in the chain which now
inds us to the car of base Pro-Slavery De-
locracy.
Complaint against the Court, the Marshal
nd the other instruments of the execution of
lis Infamous and unconstitutional Act, are on.
I admissible on the ground that they lend
lemselves as willing tools in the hands of the
lave Democracy, for that base and uneonstitu.
! purpose. 3 .sU |
Ia my humble judgment, when it becomes
nderstood that the Republican party admit that
property in slaves is recognized by tho Con-
tuition; and that Slave OWNERS have a right
recapture," OTHERWISE THAN UNDER
TATE LAW, the lease of its life is mot worth
lat OF 20 years old dTay-horse at the winter
,lstice. REPUBIJOAN
WHEAT FRoM EURuPE.-The PhiladeIpbia
Orh american says: This seems a strange per-
'rsion Of the proper and natural current of
ade, but we have advices, by last steamer, of !
lipments of this article to our port A lot Of {