The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-12-27

hosVN ilou' w Hiiam Disioi io' '"o' :
considered this very act of ls47, and a.
dopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the Democratic party
OF Pennsylvania are true to the Consttu
ton. the Union and the laws, and will
faithfully observe aud execute, so far as
in them lies. all the measures of compro-
mise adopted by tho late Congress for the
purpose of settling the question arising
out of domestic slavery. and this. not on
ly from a sense of duty as good citizens
Of the Republic. but also from the kind
and fraternal feelings which they cherish
towards their brethren of the slasehold
ing States"
Resolved, That the sixth section OF
the act Of the Legislature of Pennsy Iva
Dia. passed op the Sd of March, s47, de :
nying, uodor severe penalty the u ofour
State jai!s for the detention of fugitive
slaves while a~siting their trial oul et to
be expuD2ed from our statute books, both
because it interro-es obstacles by mean, of
State legislation to the execution of the
provisions of the Constitution of the Uai
ted States. aud because tits virtual dis
regard OF the principles Of the compro-
mse, and is calculated seriously to en-
danger the existence of the Union"
Thus it will be seen that they thought
that only the sixth section ought to be ex-
plunged, which was done by the next Leg
islature.
From that tiue all went on quietly
fugitives from labor were delivered up to
their claimants. no one objecting but a
few Atolitionists-when suddenly We are
a.tounded by the discovery of some as
tute editor, that all this time we have
been nullifers.
Let me further refer you to an extract
from speech delivered in this city last
Saturday evening, BY Hon. a. &. Curtin,
our Governor elect "a gentleman against
whom | voted on account of bis party.
but for whouI have much respecD;-
"The law making power of this State
has never desig nedly placed upon our
statute book laws to contravene or OBJ
struct the execution of any act of the
Federal Government; but if there be any
OU OuT VOOhS III ChSDCt Wv
contravene or conflict with any legisla-
ton of the National Government, or OBJ
struct the execution of any law OF the
United States, upon being fully satisfied
that such is the fact. let Us repesl them.
Let US show to the South and the North,
and all the world, that while Penn-ylva-
MIA yindcates ber own interests and
rights, she is faithful to the Union, and
the rights of no State or man in the ma
ton shall ever be interferred with, re-
stricted, or limited by any act of the peo'
pie of Pennsy lvsnia," and | can truly say
that | firmly believe that these are the
sentiments of nine tenths' of his party.
Before | close, let me semark on the
case of Virginian and Marylsnder
who you think shave been seriously in
jured by this obnoaious Pennsylvania lar '
A lawyer OF this city has published the
facts in the case of Emanuel Myers in the
Bulletin of Dece ID Der lst, copy of which
/ herewith send you. By you will per
ceive that Myers was tried and convicted
for kidnappiugt free negroes. Judge Ora
b am distinctly charged that if they were
slaves. MJers must be acquitted. The
Maryland lawyers expressed themselves
bighly pleased with the fairness With
which the trial bad been conducted
Moreover, Myers has never been senten-
ced, but was discharged upon his own re-
cosuizance upon his returning the ne
croes. If be bad been conVicted OF the
same offence in Virginia be would have
been sentenced to mot less than three
nor more than ten years confinement IN
the peDitentiary.' | must confess that L
have fors often the facts in Parsons case.
and will be much oblis sed to any one who
will vise them to me. | wish to know
particularly under what section of our
act be was indicted, aud whether he was
convicted.
We Pennsyivania conservatives occupy
peculiar position, and are exposed to
attacks on every side By the fanatics of
the North we are called "pro slavery
dough faces and by the FIRE eater" OF
the South "aboIitloni;ts.' But we will
continue to adhere to our principles of
even and exact justice to all parts OIL ibis
! Union.
There are maoy traits to admire in the
Southern character, bot none more than
this-no matter fer whom they may have
voted, whether for Bell, Breckinridee or
| Douglas, yet il the honor of their State
is attacked, all domestic chickering's are
forgotten, and standing together shoulder
to shoulder, as one man, they ViDd'oate
her. But. alas, we have some persons
who not only do not deny. but even re-
peat a calumny against their own State
Such men should be de,pised.
And now, sir, must close this long
letter. In it have endeavored to con-
fine myself strictly to the question
"wbetber Pennsylvania has enacted any
law which embarasses claimant ol
a fugitive from labor" Although fro 70
haste and inexperience much may have
been omitted, yet trust that nothing mas
been said which may 10 any manner In
terrupt our kind feelings, looping tha'
Imsy always be able to subscribe myself
,o.r fellou u.eountrymau, | am, yours tTu