Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-21

ruped the hearts of John Brown and his confederate e
onsg Tell not they but the abstract principles of
Republcansm. They abstract principles taught ulh
an eye 10 practical results: sustained by the public
opinion and practice, and enforced by the unconsutu-
ona statues of all the States liz which the teachers and
their disciples constitute the dominant political faction.
Cali them abstract principles if you w-ully carried
ont they lead inevitably like those enacted at
Hapers Ferry by converts who sealed their latin with
their blood And in this connection, l come, now to
consider,
Secondly the notification b. the people and States Of
the North, Of the iGws and Constitution Of tie Union
relative to fugitive Siducs.
It has been shown that we have the best authority for
holding up the authors of these measures as the worst en-
emes of the South and Of the Union. John Browns prac-
teal exposition of Black Republican principles, though
more thorough was not more iIesS than their own as
exemped in the adoption of those measures and In the
proceedings under them.
Without attempting any detailed account of the multi
flying statutes of the North let me- by way OF illustration,
refer TO a single instance: The law of Vermont declares
that person shall be considered property nor sub
Jet as such to sale, purchase delivery that every
person who may have been held as slave, who shall
come be brought into that State, ShdiI be Jre and
that whoever shall hold him in slavery for any time, ho
eUc, short shall be imprisoned not LESS than one nor
than FIFTEEN YEARS. Now, it ID undenabe that the
Federal Constitution, art " Sec. p requires the de-
iiUey OF eUery person. slave freeman bound 10 service
iH osSdte whO may escape into another The 9th ar
Legislatures shall be bound 5y oath or affirmation 10 sup
port the Constitution. The members of the Vermont
Legislature doubtless through the usual ceremony,
and consequently in voting for the law above referred
to- alsihed their Oahs. But this is small matter
false swearing is perjury and king no murder
cording TO the most approved commentators the hgh
er laval that mean insist on, Is that the YER
mont statute Is unconstitutional and rOd and the prac-
tice under it miGcfh as the outrages at Harpers
Ferry The dominant faction it Is true, profess TO res
pecOur rights within bounds aud dsavow the NJ!
doctrines, they them OF their abolition allies
But these coabOer in the holy cause must not be
permitted to part company. The attempted distinction
is poor subterfuge, distinction without substantial
difference. IL is the difference between the wholesale
and retail dealer in crime between the petty larceny of
coppers and the robbery of a Bank. Tire rescue Of a
fugitive slave in Vermont Kansas is as absolutely pro-
hbited that of slaves in Virginia from the possession
of their owners the unlawful rescue or liberation of
slave Of thousand. The Constitution is not bounded
by Mason Dxons line, and the clause requiring the
delivery of all persons 'hei to service" specially de-
signed to operate in the Northern States and territories
OF the Union.
The Sutes-the very people who, mised by the ultra
federal doctrines OF Livingston and Webster, were ready,
with Jackson at their head TO put their brethren of
South Carolina to the sword for threatening oppose
an oppressive, not to say unconstitutional tariff, now
conscate the properly of the South in open defiance Of
undsputed constitutional guarantee No excuse
will they allow for resisting uni ust Illegal taxation,
coutryed TO put money into the purse of the North at
the expense of the South but the disappointed thirst of
Southern gold is be slaked in Southern blood. No
opposition Federal law is lawful unless it be op-
press and rob the South Notification South Of Mason and
Dixon is crime;-North, virtue. 1t is plain that
the Federal Constitutions no longer a shield 10 defend
but sword in the hands of our aliics to destroy
The Black Republicans then, and the Aboltonists,
justly identified The banner of respected party,
perfdiousy hosed by the one, floats side by side with
the black flag of the other. They both animated by
the faith which inspired the saint OF 0sslwattomic
their measures aud doctrines lead to the results;
they stand with him on the platform Of orthodox
an-savery princples-and equally deserve similar pass
ports martyrdom and Immortality "Lovely and plea
SAINT in their lives let them in death be divided. If
there be any difference in guilt between them impartial
Justice will award the bad preemnence, rather to the
learned teachers than to their deuded converts rather
to the and peured leaders, who Jagged behind
than to the bold rebels who peuled life and
lost it. j. X.