Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-11-21
Practical Nuiiifcation.

Resistance to the execution of the Fugitive
Slave Law in the Northern States. is the
principal cause OF the Disunion sentiment now
so prevalent in the South. That law rests on
q plain provision of the Constitution of the
United States, and vas enacted for the pur
pose of enforcing and carrying it out. That
provision or clause, is one of the compromises
of the Constitution. about which we frequent
IL hear go much said, and without which it
would never have been ratified by the South
ern States The Northern States IN ratify-
ing the Constitution, pledged themselves to
carry out all its provisions in good faith
But they have not done SO. For years it has
slave to arrest him in a Northern State and
take him home with him, although be pro-
ceeded strictly in accordance with the pro-
visions of the Act of Congress known as the
Fugitive Slave Law. Every where, he has
been met by an infuriated mob of fanatical Alb
olitienist, who pronounced the Act of Congres
o nuliity, and that there is higher law than
the Constitution. Riot and bloodshea have
been tho constant attendants of all attempts to
enforce the law, and the owner in mary iBstan-
ces has been presented with stab in the heart,
or coat of tar 6 feathers, IN lieu of his slave.
Indeed STAKEHOLDER at the present time. in
entering Northern State fer the purpose of
reclaiming runaway slave, perils his per-
sonal safety aud even his life; aud if be re-
turns home unschathed by an outrage on his
person, he may consider himself very for
tuuate man. The announcement that an at
tempt is being made to arrest fugitive slave,
is sufficient to draw together an infurated
mob in few hours, determined to rescue the
fugitive at all hazards. This feeling is not
confined to any particular locality. 1t is uni
verssl, or nearly so, throughout the Northern
States. 1t is prevalent in Pennsylvania as
well as New England. and even in our con-
servative little town of Eb ensbnrg, we have
heard men say that they would never allow the
arrest of q runaway slave, if it were in their
power to prevent it. The result of this feeling
is, that the fugitive slave law in the North
ern States Is as much of a nullity. as though
it had never been enacted All attempts to
enforce it resemble the combination of farce
and a tragedy. Is not this practical nullif-
cation. and are not the Black Republicans
who resist the execution of the fugitive slave
law, Nullifers? Certainly, South Carolina
did not do any thing worse in 1882, when
she attempted tc pullify the law of Congress
for levying and collecting duties Oh imports.
Inf
been satisfied with popular resistance to the
execution of the fugitive slave law. through
riotous and tamultuous assemb lagos. Their
Legislatures have taken the matter ia hand
and passed what they call personal liberty
bills, but which are really Acts Nullifving an
Act of Congress. In Massachusetts. this nuUf-
flying Act digui6ed with the appellation of
personal liberty bill, declares that any
person who shall grant certificate under the
fugitive slave Law, shall be deprived Of any
office he may hold under the Commonwealth;
and shall be FOR EVER thereafter. ineligible to
any office Of trust or ensolunlent under the lars
of the Commonwealth. It also declares, that
any person who shall act as counsel or attor-
ney, for any claimant under said Act. shall
be deprived of any commission be may then
hold under tie Commonwealth, and shall be
forever incapaciated to practice his profession
in the State The 10th section for6ids, the
Volunteer or Militia Of the State an assisting
tn enforcing the fugitive Stare la,c, under the
penalty to each offender. ofa fine of not less
hau one thousand dollars, and not erceed;uo
tloe thousand dollars, and by imprisonment in
tie Stote prison for q period Of not more than
',oy, Las thas one year. The Vernon,