The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1860-12-26
Let Pennsylvania be Set Right.

by any possibility be made to obstrnct the
execution of the fugitive slave law, should
be repealed at~~the coming session OF ihe
Legislature. This is required as an evl-
dence that Pennsylvania is determined to
perform all her constitutional Obligations
without hesitation The act of 1880, provI-
ding for the gradual Iaboltion of slavery in
Penn syvania, expressly declared that relief
or shelter should not be given 10 any runa-
way negro from another State, but that the
owner should have the right and aid TO de-
mand and takesaway his servant. This OBJ
legation was faithfully performed by State
officers, without exciting any tumult or preja-
dice, until the Supreme Court of the United
States decided, in the Prgg case, that State
officers could not be compelled 10 take
cognizance OF the cases OF fugitive slaves,
and that it was the duty Of the general gov
eminent 10 provide for their rendition Ia
king advantage of this decision, the Legis-
lature in ls47 passed an act making 1t a
misdemeanor for any Judge or magistrate !
! TO take cognizance Of the case OF any fugl- |
live from labor prohibiting the use OF the !
! iaiIs for the detention and safe-keeping of
! fueitves, and Furnishing with fine and i'm
| prisonmenti ANY owners of fugiives who
''shall, under any pretence whatever, vio-
"lently and tumuliuosiy seize upon and
''carry away 10 any place, or attempt 10
"seize and carry away in a riotons, violent,
Gtumutuous and unreasonable Manner ,and
$50 as 10 disturb and endarger the public
"peace, any negro or mulatto, either with
'sor without the intention OF taking such
"negro or mulat,o before any district or
"circuit Judge" sc The manifest inten-
ton of this language, which has lately been
re-enacted in the Revised Penal Code, is 10
throw every obstacle in the way OF an own
er attempting to re capture his runaway
slave In case master comes 10 this State
armed with warrant for the re-capture OF
his servant, and in attempting TO arrest him
on the street, for The purpose OF taking be-
fore United States Judge or Commissioner,
mob of negroes and Abolitionisls create
riot il might possibly be held such dis
q turbance and endangering of the public
u peace as 10 render the master liable to the
penalty of This act. Mark, the riot or dis
81 l. tho Mt nj
> against the mob endangermnes 1he public
peace by attempting rescue. The clau
ses against kidnapping in this same act are
amply sufficient to protect the negro from
unjust seizure, and provisions against riot
ons disturbances of the peace should be d.
recied against rescuing mobs, and no
against claimants, who have enough diff
: culies in their way without this addi,iona
obstacle 10 the recovery of their property.
:. That portion OF this act prohibiting the
" use of jails was repealed in 1852 1t re-
mains 10 be seen whether the Legislature
of 1861 will repeal the sections now ir
force, which were evidently intended to dis
= courage, If not 10 prevent entirely, the Ia
: ling of fugitive slaves.
In these days, when so much is said
about following in the footsteps of The faith
ers il may be well TO remember that the
act of 1880, aboishing slavery in Pennsyl
l. vania, authorized the owners of slaves &c
s bring and retain such slaves within this
: Commonwealth for period of six months
so that in those good old fraiernal times a
n Southern man might travel through Penn
= sylvania or spend the summer al any of oul
y watering places accompanied by his domes
= tic servants without forfeiting his right tc
: them, and without the fear of having them
r, violently taken or eniiced away by Aboli
). toniss. The act OF ls47 repealed this por-
d ton OF the law of 1880. If the fathers could
d accord his privilege 10 their Southern breth
! rem why cannot we Much as we would
, like 10 see this spirit of fraternity restored,
}. we are totally opposed 10 inviting Southern
tourists 10 travel through or sojourn in Penn
4 sylvania, accompanied by their domestic
! servants, without affordng them ample Sc
curity that their negroes would not be slo-
len from them. 1t would only embiltsr
: feeling TO entice them here and then permit
ouirases upon their rights. We desire that
D this provision of the act of 1850 may be re-
8 stored, but only upon condition that, it is
restored in the same spirit that originally
enacted it; and accom- panied with the as
surancesthat the whole:power of the State
Government shall be exerted 10 restore se!.
! wants violently taken from the master and in
case of failure, that he be paid the full value
thereof. Upon any olhef conditions than
these the restoration of the act of 1880
would be adding insult 10 injury-nviting
Southern men TO bring their servants into
Pennsylvania 10 be stolen by Abolition
mobs.
If the Democrats had control of the Legis-
lature, we know that they would expunge
every Objectionable feature OF the act OF
ls47 within week after the day of meeting
But the power rests entirely with tne Re-
publican majority, and it remains 10 be
seen in what temper they will deal with
this imnorfant snhieci-wh hether thev will