Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-01
Another letter from Gov. Lstcher.

The Enquirer Of Thursday publishes letter from Gov
L,tcher to Lewis D. Vail Esq, Of Philadelphia, upon
Pennsylvanas notification Of the fugitive slave law
Gov Le.eber fully demonstrates that the uneOnsit tuition
a and obnoxious laws Of Pennsylvania still in full e
feet and force, and that notwithstanding Mr.. Vail
i, proud that he Is citizen Of this good old State,
che keystone Of the arch" yet he is uentably igno-
rant Of the legislation of his own State After thor
Oughy discussing the legal points of the question, he
says;
And, fually, the Constitution of the United States,
in The fourth article, and second section, declares;
sNo person held to service or labor in State
der the laws thereof escaping into another shall in con-
saopepee Of anu ia,s Or regulation therein, be dis
charged from such service labor, Bat shall Be deiir-
81 W clam Of he party 10 rho such service or Ia
Dor nav b dls
Under his provision Of the Constitution, what is the
duty Of Pennsylvania and the other non-'laveholdng
Saies? L. t not plainly and palpaby their duty TO aid
in giving iul effect to this requirement. When per-
son held TO service labor in Virginia, escapes into
vour STATE and is there found Is il not incumbent on
YOUR citizens to that he or she shall be delivered
up on claim Of the party 70 whom such service or labor
may be due?" Ought not your legislature 10 require
vour ipdges justices Of the peace aldermen, and other
Officers 20 aid by al legitimate means, the claimant in
recovering the possession Of bis slave property that may
he found In YOUR Statey Il cannot be said that your
LIZ of 1887 as il now stands upon your statute book
vas intended 10 ,ect this object In re-euactng this
Law A. YOUR last session. il will not be claimed, am
ssre that the object 10 secure more efficient exc,
cuton Of the fugitive slave laws Of 1895 and 1850, and
a more faithful performance Of the duty Imposed
upon your citizens by this article and section Of the Fed
eral Constitution.
II the Union is 70 be preserved il is necessary that all
causes of complaint irritation and dsasac on shall
be speedily removed In the present condition Of Affairs
DELAY ends in destruction. If the nUu-slaveholdiug
States desire to save the Constitution from overthrow
aud the Couederacy from dissolution, let them SHOW
their faith bv their works" Let them repeal at once all
atute which are Injurious the rights and interests Of
their Southern feoW-cuzens, sud which are in any de
c-ee c.culated 10 embaruss them in the recovery Of
fugitive ,laves This be done moment TOO soon,
ana urga Won and all other conservative men 10 your
% too TO act without delay and show 10 the South that
YOU really desire the preservation Of the Union You
can do much 10 aay the excitement existing, TO re-
stos concord and aerna feeling, 70 revive lost comb
dn,e between the sections aud you it to yourselves
10 YOUR country aud those who are to succeed you TO
do YOUR duty AID yoaF whole duy, promptly ana iai'h
fully
I'm the same kind and conservative spirit which dicta-
I'd YOUR letter have replied to It. The question dis
cu,ed Is one of ~ a; interest and importance at this
time and is attracting much Of public attention. In the
earnest hone that the Discussion may result in prac
tel goo1 have concluded to publish your letter and
my reply.
With respect, am truly
Your obedent servant,
Holm LFTCHFR