The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-12-11
Northern Rebellion.

A correspondent Mt Montpelier Yer
mont, ofthe NewsYork World, conser-
yative republican journal, writes:
For Several years there has stood up
on our statute book a personal liberty law,
designed to obstrnct the removal from the
State of persons claimed as slaves. The
law was of no account one way or the
other. No attempt has been made TO re-
claim from Vermont a fugitive slave since
the famous decision of Judge Harrington
that bill Of sale from Almighty God
was necessary to make the title good
The only effect Of the law has been to ex-
aspcrate the South, and help bring on the
present unhappy state Of things. Last
year a committee, composed Of some Of
our ablest lawyers, was appointed TO re-
wise the statutes in general and this in
particular; and, in their report TO the
Legislature, they recommend the repeal
of the personal liberty laws, as being con-
trary TO the constitution and laws of the
United States. The logic of this report
cannot be controverted, nor the the cor
rectness of its position questioned. ".0
ait has, nevertheless, been most bitter
ly assailed by speech and by writing. An
anonymous pamphlet has appeared and
has been largely circulated. A batch of
resolutions has been introduced in the
Senate by senator Wheeler, and in the
House by Ex-Governor Fletcher, and large
quantities of words have been expended
upon them. As yet, however, the argu-
mont of the report has not been over
thrown. But il does not follow that the
law will be repealed. The men whose
feelings have the control of their judg-
ments are in the majority here, as they
are wont to be in all legislatures"
The facts here stated furnish the strong
est kind of reasons for the speedy and
thorough revival of the democratic party.
For the issue must be made--and it will
not be made except through the demo
cratic party-whether the northern un-
constitutional legislation which has done
so much to "exasperate the South and
help bring on the present unhappy state
of things" shall be repealed. Daniel
Webster said, in 1851, the obstruction of
the fugitive slave law was treason-dis-
tinctly treason" 1t cannot be denied,
then, that the North has undertaken to
subdue rebellion and punish treason in the
South while certain Of the northern States
are themselves in rebellion. And we see
that Vermont which has sent three or four
regiments against tie southern rebellion,
is going to persist in her own rebellion.
This persistent attitude is shameful. But
il is the work Of abolitionism, and what
of its work is not shameful? Intelligence
of it will go to the South, and will fur
nish the rebel leaders just so much more
fuel to stimulate the flame of southern
discomfort.
1t is for the democratic party to make
the issue of tho repeal of this unconstitu-
tional, rebellious and reasonable legisla-
ton, and to treat the States which will
not repeal il as not less guilty than the
rebel southern States. 1t for the demo
cratic party TO require that this war shall
be prosecuted by the North with clean
hands. Until il shall be prosecuted with
clean hands it cannot be brought to sue
cessful close. - Chicago Times.