Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-16


Correspondence between the Governors Of
Tennesseo ana OHIO.
Learning that q correspondence had taken place
between Gov. HAIIas, Of tis State, and Gov. DENNI
SON. Of Ohio 10 regard to the refusal Of the latter to
surrender srEFna G. KENNEDY on the requisition
Of the former, we applied to J. E R. Ray, EGG Sec
rotary Of State, for copy Of the correspondence,
ana through his courtesy we are enabled to lay it
before our readers this morning The argument Of
Gov. HARms is conclusive, and we presume Gov.
DEs01sox viii attempt no reply to it If the policy
Of Gov. DENsdsoN should be adopted by the Cover
nors Of the other Free States, the Federal COnstitu
sion would become a dead letter. The course Of
Gov. DEsON is practical illustration fthe 'higher
law" Of the great leader of the Black Republican
party, and truthfully shadows forth to the con
sentative men Of the North what would be the prae-
teal results Of the triumph of that party. They
cannot be Indifferent to the question involved in this
controversy for if the North sustains the position
Of Gov. DENN1soN the Union is not worth saving
The Southern States have equal rights with those Of
the North. and those rights must be respected and
maintained. This question involves the right Of
State to enact its own laws and to punish those who
violate them upon its own soil and the Federal Con-
sttuton IS clear and explicit as TO the duty Of the
Governor Of any State into which the crlmiaal
may escape from another. The Constitution Of this
State recognizes property in slaves, and State com
ity and the Federal Constitution leave the Governor
of Ohio no discretion in regard to surrendering
those who violate our laws touching that institution
Whenever the policy Of Gov. DENNisoN shall be
adopted BY the Free States then the Union is at an
end. The conservative men at the North must and
viii see this, and it should rouse them to deter
mined effort to rebuke the fanatcism which Is thus
attempting to override tie constitution Of the Union
itself
The following is the correspondence, but, as the
Louisville Democrat says it is in VAN to reason with
an Abolitionist, who recognizes no crime and no
duty, except according to the higher law.
GOV. HARRIS TO GOV. DESNIsON.
EXECUTIVE, DEPARTMENT,
Nashville, Tennessee, May &c, 1860.
His Excelency, W. DENNIsoN, Governor OF the State
SIR: There was issued from this Department on
the 18th inst. requisitiOn demanding Of your Elk
cellency as fugtives from justice from this State
Stephen G. Kennedy and Mary Ann C. Hatch, alias Ma
~ Ann O. Calhoun, charged with the crime Of negro
stealing which a felony under the statute laws Of
Tennessee.
am informed by James H. Swan, the agent ap
pointed BY me TO receive the fugitives, that your
Exceuency refused TO cause said fugitves TO be ar
rested and delivered to him.
TpOn examination of the record IN this Depart
ment, am unable to discover any defect in the re
QUESTION: and deem it due to the aggrieved party
who is actzeE of this State, to ask your EXceency
TO point out such defect in your opinion vitlates
the reputation, so that in future may understand
the practice Of the State Of Ohio under the Act Of
Congress Of February 18TH l793 respecting the
surrender Of fugitIves from justice. Very respect
fully. IsHAM G. HARRIS