Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-01

rurnoses had been such as they represented th," :"
=, The outset they would naturally have sought INC AZ
Homes If ali who concurrcd with them in sentiment, WITH
ont reference to geographical divisions THIS they de
ned TO do and for the first time in the history OF our
ountry the spectacle exhibited of party organ@eu
on a strictly sectional basis The dangers Ifey 10 re-
s from the formation of such parties were foreseen ny
the Father of his country and constituted the subject Oh
one of his most solemn admontons TO his countrymeh
in his Farewell Address These bis impressive words
81 In contemplating the causes which may disturb our
Inion II occurs as matter Of serious concern hat any
ground should have been furnished for characterzng par
ties nv geographical determinations, Northern ana SCUM
err, Atlantic and Western, whence designing men may
endeayor TO incte belief that there - real difference
nj local interests and views One of the eIpedens OF
marty TO acquire influence with particular districts 49, 10
the opinions and aims OF other disrcts-
Yor cannot shield yourselves much against the Jea
louses and heartburnings which spring from these ms
concentrations They tend to render aer to each oher
those who ought to be bound together by fraerna alice
ton" 49,,
The purposes of the party still further disclosed
when they assembled in their national convention, 10
give formal and authentic expression TO their pohtca
creed and to select their candidate for the Presidency
In one of the resolutions adopted by that body they
avow the opinion that slavery stands on the same lever
with polygamy, aud denounce both as twin relics o
barbirism" BY this declaration they seek TO place all
the Southern States outside Of the pale OF cVizaoo
and to cover with oboquy and reprolch the memory oil
Washington, Jefferson, Henry Madison, Marshall, Clay
Calhoun Lowndes and the whole host of Southern pa
triots whose lustrious names constitute the brghtes
Jewels in the treasury Of our national fame.
When it was supposed that public opinion was sum
cieny prepared for the announcement, we find the doc
trne openly proclaimed in various parts OF the North by
the representative of the Republican party that
there exists an irrepresbe conflict between the social
systems of the North and the South, which must pro-
gress until one the other is extermnated.
Such is the organization, and such are the cardinal
doctrines of the Republican party derived from the
legitimate opponents of their faith and policy
If we turn to the legislative action OF the Northern
States in which that party has obtained the ascendancy
we find that is in strict conformity with their mschie-
vous dogmas Their statute books are filled with enact
conceived in spirit of hostility to the institutions
of the South with the true intent and meaning OF
the Federal compact and adopted for the ayowed pur
pose of rendering nugatory some OF the express cove
nants OF the constitution OF the United States.
1t would extend this report to an unreasonable length,
if your committee should attempt 10 review this unrend
y legislation in detail They will therefore content them
selves with brief reference TO some OF tho most prom
features Of these laws copies of which will be ould
in the appendix.
MAINE.
BY the laws of this State is provided that if ius
tive slave shall be arrested he shall be defended by the
Attorney for the Commonwealth, and all expenses OF
such defence paid out of the public treasury. The use
of all State and county jl and of all buildings belong
ing to the State forbidden the reception or securing
fugitive slaves and all officers are Forbidden under heavy
penalties from arrestng aiding in the arrest OF such
iuguVeS. III slaYeh0lder or person snall
fully seize or conne fugitive slave, he shall be liable
to be imprisoned for than five years, fined
not exceeding $1,000. II STAKEHOLDER take slave into
the State the slave il thereby made free and if the mas
undertake exercise any control over him, he Is
subjected TO imprisonment for not less than one year, or
fined not exceeding 81 900.
The bred Scott decision of the Supreme Court has
been declared unconstitutional, and many offensive and
indammatory resolutions have been passed by the Le
gislature
HAMPSHIRE
Your committee have not had access to 4 complete
series of the laws OF this State But general index
which has been consulted, shows that law exists by
which all slaves entering the State either with without
the of their masters declared Free and any
atempto capture or hold them is declared to be felony
VERMONT.
This State to have entirely forgotten the con
sentative and aw-abding sentiment which governed its
action in the earlier period of her history.
Her law forbds all citizens and officers Of the
state from executing assisting execute the fugitive
slave law, fugitive slave, under penalty of
Imprisonment for not less than year. fine
ceeding 81 900 Ii also forbids the OF all public jas
aud buildings for the purpose of securing such slaves
The attorneys for the State directed at public
pense defend and procure to be discharged every
person arrested fugitive slave The hdJeds corpus
act also provides that fugitive slaves shall be tried by
jury, and nerpOses other obstacles ohe execution Of
the fugitive slave law.
The law further provides, that all persons unawfully
capturing seizing combining a person fugitive
slave shall be confined in the State prison not then
ten years, and fined not exceeding 81 900. Every per
son held slave who shall be brought into the State
i declared free aud all persons who shall hold
tempt to hold as slave, person brought into the
State in any form, or for any time however short shall
be confined in the State prison less than one nor
more than fifteen years, and find exceeding - 0OJ
The legislature has also passed sundry offensive resol-
tons.
MASSACHUSETTS,.
The laws of this State forbid under heavy penalties
her citizens, aud State aud county officers from execut
ing the fugitive slave law from aiding either; and
denies the of her a and public buildings for such
purposes.
The Governor Is required to appoint commissioners in
avery county aid fugitive slaves in recovering their
freedom when proceeded against fugitive slaves and
all attending such proceedings are directed to be
paid BY the State.
ANY person who shall remove, or attempt TO remove |
or come into the State with the intention TO remove or
assist in removing any person who is not fugitive slave
within the meaning of the constitution is liable to pun.
ishment by fine not less than 81 900 nor more than
$4,000, and Imprisonment less than one nor more
than FIVE wears.
Their habsds corpus gives trial BY jury to fugitive
slaves and inerposes other unlawful impedments the
execution of the fugitive slave law Her Legislature has
also passed violent aud offensive resolutions.
CONNECTICUT.
This State which as late 1910 tolerated slavery with
IN her own borders, appears by the census OF that
year. prohibits under penalties all her officers
from aiding in executing the fugitive slave law and
Gates all official acts which may be done by them in at
tempting to execute that law
BY the act of 1854, l. it is provided that every
person who shall falsely and maicousy declare repre-
sent or pretend that any person entitled to freedom is
slave or owes service labor person persons
with intent procure aid assist in procuring the
orcble removal of such free person from this State as
slave, shall pay fine OF s. O0O and shall be imprisoned
five years in the State prison.
Sec 2 In all cases arising under this act, the truth
OF any decira)n representation pretence that any
person being having been in this State is or was
slave, or did service labor any 9TH
or person and persons shall not be deemed proved ex
cept by the testimony of at least two credible witnesses
estiiyng to facts directly tending the truth of such
declaration pretence representation by legal evil
dence equivalent thereto.
Sec. B. subjects to a fine of 5000 and imprisonment
IN the State prison for five years all who shall seize any
person entitled freedom with intent to have such per-
son held in slavery
Sec, prohibits the admission of depositions in all
cases under this act and provides that if any witness
titles falsely in behalf If the party accused and prose-
cued under this act he shall be fined So 0O0 and impri
soned hive years in the State prison. This law is in the
opinion OF your committee, but little short of an invita-
ton to preury, by imposing penalties false swear
ing against the party accused
The resolutions of the Legislature are offensive and
disorganizing
RHODE ISLAND.
The statutes of Rhode Island provide that any one who
transports be transported by land or water
any person lawfully nhaDiing therein to any place with
the limits of the State except by due course of law
shall be imprisoned less than one nor more than ten
years They also prohibit all officers from aiding in exc
cutting the fugitive slave law, or arresng fugitive slave
and deny the use of jals and public buildings for
curing any such fugitive.
NEW YORK