, 1860-12-24
THE QUESTION OF THE DEY.
SOUND WORDS FROM \ CONNECTICUT JC.
..:DlAC AND STATESMAN

SOUND WORDS FROM \ CONNECTICUT JCa
<t,RlsT AND STATESMAN.
7'aa Hartford cvnrant publishes an intcrest-
,nr letter from Judge Ec!!..H ORTIZ Of the Su-
proms Court of Connecticut, who hi, scvefs1
times been Governor Of the State, and ia ons
It's most distinguished citizens. The letter Is
addressed to Hon; James Dixon, U. 8. Senator
from Connecticut ;:::.:make some extracts: |
believe the North intend to be faithful and
true to tho Constitution and tie laws. If ln
fact they arc not, md have really violated
them 60 often, the South ought to be able to
Tell us Wherein lfthey proceed to do this,
nv firm belief that the North, on being con.
vinced will clcertully and readily correct their
errors. Defamation, however, Ia not What We
want that does not produce conviction; 1t hos
and ostontshed the North. We here in New
England, lire to fur North to be Affected by
words without proof, however much they art
reiterated. We want asgument--suund nsgu-
ment. We insist upon facts rs is said to he
our habIt) and before d successful appeal cau
he made by South Carolina to our consciences,
to the Coo oi ariuica, to the God Of Justice, aud
TO thc sympathy Of the nations Of the earth,
these facts must be established, Or else It IL ~
and not South Carolina, that will atand ng'
| proved before God and man. l..
Every day meet in my walks gentlemen OF
great excellence and Intelligence, who inquire
with anaxement, What are the violation ofta1e
much? an obliged to say, do not lnoT,
| sit. :; :.
lit Il tho Fugitive Slave Law, and hear Of
nothing else, let me say, If there be any WTopGg
here 1t should be put right, and have no doubt
| it would be. The f,orer of Congress to pro
ride Tor tic restoration Of fugitive slaves il n
! my opinion not an open question, and doubt
l In 1,.Hr In 9f
in New England, who would not subscribe to
this opinion and who it called upon officially
would uphold any unlawful obstruction to III
execution. There arc, however, some clause'
In the Law WHOLLY unnecessary to its eiaclen
cy) which ought TO be erased from It. as being
exceedingly offensive to q community Of Ire.
and Christian peopls. But, % lave said, tn
power il after all given In the Constitution
and as ! Judge, mving been myself honoret
for many years with seat On tue hisheS
Court In this State, should endeayort to do I'd:
duty impartialiy in the premises, or re'inqulsl
ms Office. If its provisions ara correct, It :
J tho law Of the land, and the Executive Of tn
United Stn.es il sworn to Zee to its faithful e1
| ecution. II In any case Its proyision4 nhoni
be pronounced Unconstitutional, the questio
could quietly be reviewed by the Suprem
t | Court OF the United Stntes.
nany Of on! state LAWS eonnlct Win tae ae s
OF Congress, they are, Of course. mere waste
paper, and every judge will be bound to pr
nounco them nullity. have no doubt th2
the personal liberty bill o{this State. tso saliet
and I speak more particularly Of this bill, for
: have not examined the laws Of the other State
was passed in good faith by our Legislature,
: guard against the exercise of power liable
: great a6,se, and one that is odlous to thoi
, Who are not familiar with its sway. It is ala
! to insure safety to free men, and not to tllwa
the 2rrsstinF Of those who IRE slayes'
Ifem, however, tic Fugitive Slave Law
; not the real grievance, certainly not with Sou
e Carolina and the Gulf States, ior they have d
+ lost hundred slaves from the beginning
the government by reason Of the non-cxec
y ton Of the Fugitive Slave Law. On the mo
; mature consideration can give, am satisf
# South Carolina looks to separation Of L
, | Union as making Charleston the rival Of NJ
= York, and rs carrying her and the South,
o once, to an cnviablc distinction IN all that I
!, ats nation or people,. But 1t is delusio
o must bclieyc-a fatal dclusion from which
=, is possible >hc may awake too Lite.