The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-12-22
Personal Liberty Laws.

The National Intellgcncer gives an ansly-
sis OF the laws OF the several States that
come under the above designation. In con.
cusion, tho article states that Michigan.
Vermont and Wisconsin are the only States
obnoxious to the charge Of enaeting statutes
in conflict with the Fugitive Slave law and
the Constitution Of the United States. We
make the following extract from the edito-
rial OF the Intellgencer, and accord with the
general sentiment that State laws clearly un-
constitutional, ought to be repealed. By the
way, why does not the lntelgencer extend
ito recommendation to the people OF South
Carolina, who have laws, and execute them.
fnr the imprisonment OF Northern citizens
who enter hrr rorts2
But hear the Intellgcncer as far o. il goes:
1t will he seen from the review through
which We have gone that very few States
have enacted laws directly or avowedly in
opposition TO the act Of 1850. Laws against
kidnapping" properly 90 called, cannot be
placed in this category. Laws forbiddine,
under this head, the use Of State tails for
Federal purposes, however "unfriendlyn in
motive, are not "unoonstitutional,o and find
parallels In other cases and in Southern
States. Laws forbidding State officers To-
issue writs for the recapture Of alleged fupi-
tives are passed in conformity with tho de-
oision OF the Supreme Court of the United
States in the celebrated PrigG case. But all
laws interfering with the exercise of the
powers conferred by Congress on the Com.
missioners appointed under the Fugitive
n NJ = IL
laws OF Vermont, Michigan, aud Wisconsin.
are clearly unconstitutional, and as such arc
null and void
In conclusion, VIC submit that othng oonld
De more honorable to the representative. Of
the Law. abiding people Of Vermont, and Of
any State IN the same category with her. than
the speedy repeal Of law imnotent for good.
ana potent only for evil law which could
not DC enforced without certainty of hos.
tile collision with the Federal authorities.
ana the probability Of popular tumult and
Diooosneo; law which, with others or q
hke nature IN s,ster States. il just cause OF
offence 10 the Southern States, and forms a
part OF every candid alusion Of the pubne
press TO the dangers which threaten the per.
petuty OF the Onion.
Mr. Llncoiuss PoAifton-.Hc Don,t
~
Several days ago the Washington oorres.
pendent OF the N. Y. Times telerraphed that
letters had been received in that city from
Mr.. Lincoln urging moderation aud forbear.
ance, and saying: 'ne desires everything
done that i possible, without regarding his
party atihe Nerths.e harmonixe the sections.
He speaks in high terms OF the articles In
the n. I. Times and Albany Evening Jour
nal" To this tho Springfald corresnen
Dent OF the Cincinnati Commercial responds:
can give your readers the most positive
assurance that the above is wApton fabri-
cation from beginning TO end. There is not
On atom OF truth IN il. AIR. Lincoln has net
written q ihe 10 that or any other effect, that
could possibly influence Congress in any way.
lie would deem 1t both Improper and pre-.
sumptuous 10 NEEDLE with Congressional
matters previous to bis inauguration. The
true motives OF the involuntary backsliaine
of certain New York journals. nre fnrth,r-
more well understood Gus here. The thrnhs
OF Wall street are known 50 have nroancea
sudden pangs OF contrition. But Mr.. Lin.
coin ia above bulling and bearing. Although
conservative in his intentions, and anxious
30 render constitutional justice to oil seq
nons OF the country, BIO IL possessed If too
much nobieness and sense of duty, to qusil
Oeiore threats and lawlessness. He knows
ven enough that the first step backward on
MS part, or that OF his supporters, will be
ioi'o~ed by corresponding advance on tho
part OF the cotton rebels, and he knows that
Tor every inch yielded, Zoo, will DO demand
60. lie knows that he IL right, and hence.
can let consequences, fer the present. take
care Of themselves.
Newspaper Hoax.
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