Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-11-19

and claims kindred with all the evil thugs in
the universe, that howl aad hiss at Justice
from the habitation of cruelty. That act was
not honestly meant. 1t never had an honest
purpose. Its trainers did not seek to win the
people Of the free states to return fugitive
slaves, did not even dream of doing so. They
meant nothing but insult. outrage, and humi
alton. Ii they had really desired to provide
such measures as would secure the return of
fugitiyes, they would have begun by treating
the sentiments of the northern people with
more respect; and they would have studied
in every detail and expression Of their bill, to
conciiate public sentiment at the North, and
TO dsarm hostility rather than 10 provoke it.
In most discussions of this measure, by
those who favor it, one of its uses is entirely
/ overlooked. 1t is used by the systematic kid
nappers of free colored men quite as often as
| it is used by shareholders TO catch runaways.
/ Ii we could have true history OF all the cases
/ shat have arisen under it, it would appear that
very large proportion Of them, if not Il
majority, were cases of downright kidnapping
/ One of the very first OF them is known to
| have been such u case. A free colUred man
| OF New Jersey was seized in Philadelphia and
taken before commissioner as the runa gay
slave of man in Mary land. The necessary
oaths were made, and the commissioner saw
fit 10 send the man TO his alleged master, in
the charge OF a deputy marshal. On their
arrival, the master" declared that he had not
| lost a slave. Then it came out that the colored
man was free, as he had protested, and that
his captors were professional kidnappers.
These villains, who had regular organizations
with headquarters in Philadelphia, have made
a large use OF the fugitive slave bill. Their
plan has been to get from some accomplice a
full description of all the transient colored per.
sons in particular locality, and then 90 there
and claim some of them as runaways. The
descriptions with which they have been fur
nished prepare them to swear to anything that
may be necessary. The fugitive bill or
ders a summary process, and presently the
kidnapped freeman finds himself in the hands
Of a trader going south. 1t is true that the
professional kidnappers do not always need the
assistance of a commissioner, but they never
hesitate to seek it when occasion requires.
And when they "caim" colored man, in
place where he is not well known, what chance
has he against their oaths which are fortified
by seemingly accurate knowledge OF his
person
The fugitive slave bill is an Internal ma
chine, never meant as an honest measure To
secure from the free states the return of the
fugitives, but constantly used in the business
OF kidnapping. Wherever it operates, there
is pressing need of laws for the protection of
personal liberty,-laws Which will secure to
every man his rights under both state and fed
eral constitutions. Does not the federal con-
ststution say, no man shall be deprived of
life, LIBERTY, or property, without due process
Of law" and shall we give up this guarantee
OF freedom, because congress saw fit TO pass
that fugitive slave act? Take away thSt ln
fernal machine that has been let loose on the
free states and put in its place something
more decent before allowing a word to be said
in criticism of the acts to protect personal lib
erty that have been contrived to prevent kid
mapping.