The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-06

thoroughly aboittlonlzed Then il would address
itself to the task of extinguishing slavery in the
States; and we should find when it was all too
late TO profit by the knowledge, that the once
despised abstraction had proved itself to be a
fearful practicality. v
BLACK Republican disregard OF Con-
stituti0nai obligation.
The Constitution of the United States, in the
second section of the fourth article thereof pro-
vides that "A person charged in any State with
treason, felony, or other crime, who shall fee
from justice, and be found in another State, shall
on the demand of the executive authority of the
State from which he fed, be delivered up, to be
removed to the State having jurisdiction of the
crime"
The language Of this provision is too plain and
explicit to admit of any evasion of its terms
No room is afforded for construction; and, there
fore, there is no excuse for its violation, under
any pretence.
We learn, from the Memphis papers, that one
Kennedy, who had there stolen some negroes and
fed tc Ohio, was "charged," in Tennessee, with
Harris, of that State, issued his requisiton upon
the Governor of Ohio demanding, in the terms
of the Constitution, that the latter functionary
should surrender up Kennedy, as fugitive from
justice, to be removed to Tennessee for trial To
this demand, the Black Republican Governor of
Ohio (Dennison) responded that property in
slaves was not recognized by the laws of Ohio,
and therefore it was no crime, by said laws, to
steal them" Upon this ground, he refused to
issue his warrant for Kennedys apprehension.
Before Gov. Dennison entered upon the duties
of his Office, he took an oath to support the Con-
stitution of the United States He now shows
his sense of the solemn obligation then assumed,
by shamelessly disregarding one of the plainest
provisions Of that instrument No more fragrant
breach of faith dsgraces that long record which
will pcrpctuate the infamy of Abolitionism.
Each State, in virtue of her sovereignty, pos
sesses the clear and undisputed right of creating
and defining offences against herself; and when
criminal fees from justice, and takes refuge
within the limits of another State, whose crimi-
nal laws do not happen to coincide with those
which he has violated this accidental crcum-
stance can constitute no reason why the compact
between sovereign States looking to the extra
dition of fugitiycs from justice, should be nulfi
ed. 1t matters not whether the offence, with
which the fugitive stands charged, is,or is not,a
offence under the laws of the State to which he
has fled. 1t is sufficient That he stands charged
with an act, which, according to the laws of the
laws of the State where it was committed, was
criminal in its character. That isolated fact be-
ing once established the functionary to whom
the requistion is addressed has only to obey it,
If he refuses, he incurs the guilt of moral per-
jury, dishonors that Constitution which he was
sworn to uphold and support, and deserves, as
he will assurcdy receive, the unminglcd scorn of
every honorable mind There was time when
the Constitution was respected and observed,
throughout the length and breadth of unit
ed land; and the Union, cherished by all
our people in the same spirit in which our IA
theirs framed it, was the pride and boast of every
citizen But those days have long since passed
away: suspicion has taken the place of mutual
confidence, and hate now rankles where once ex-
istcd only kindlincss The origin of all this
change of feeling is as plain as the sun at noon
day. The Constitution was framed by the peo-
pie of the several States, in order, among other
reasons, to establish justice, ensure domestic
tranquility provide for the common defence, and
promote the general welfare" and so long as its
provisions were honestly regarded, those purpos-
es were all subscrved; but a race of men grew
up who professed to be wiser than the fathers,
and greatly wise above what is written, and they
have proceeded to expound and construe the Con
stitution in manner never dreamed of by those
who were its authors, and have thus perverted its
meaning and prostituted its powers, until they
have made il to the extent Of their ability, an
engine of fraud, and wrong, and sectional aggran-
dizement. They hope yet to make it weapon
of conquest All the benefits of the compact
they have ever and vigorously insisted on. All
its burthens they have Systematically repudiated
Gov. Dennison has simply carried the principles
of his party little in advance of the main body.
None Of his orkers will condemn his conduct, |
which will only serve to add little more fuel to
feed that flame of indignation, which, if return
ing sense Of justice does not soon overtake the |
people of the free States will consume the last |
vcstiges Of that love for the Union, upon which |
alone it can rcpose in safety. v
x
Mississippi Has Spoken.
We publish, to-day, the proceedings of the
Democratic State Convention, which was held, |
last week, at Jackson; from which it will be !
seen that tic Dnn,ocrnn,- nf this Ctntn hnrn