New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-17

National affaire:
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
The Select Committee TO whom was referred so much
Of The Presidents Message relates TO the
ilous condition of the country have instructed thelr
Chairman report the bills and resolutions adopted oy
thesn, with such comments US ne may deem proper;
REPORT.
The terms of the resolution of reference were snch
ss to advise the Committee of the magnitude OF the
subjects referred go them and were regarded as an
earnest appeal for their prompt action. by aaver9ng
TO that portion Of the Presidents Message referred TO
the Committee 1t will be seen that, In his opamon
tie causes Of the present dscontents are to be found
IN the history Of our pubic anairs oasng eacR 70
the year 1885, oomprehending the legislative enact
meuts of several Satesthe agitations OF the public
mind on the subject Of Savery-the improper circu-
aiion of papers tenomg to produce apprehension OF
domestic insurrection In the Savehoding States and
NE fordble opposition TO the peaceful execution OF
the laws Of Congress for the recovery Of fugitive
shvee.
percent disturbed condition of the public mind OF the
South, Of character which could only be asoer
tanned by knowledge of the current history OF our
grounds assumed by the various political parties and
manifested by the votee Of the people In electg Stale
and Federal officers.
Publications emanatiDg from the newspaper or perl
e1ical press having tendency 10 promote domestic
insurrecton in any of the States and circulated with
shat INTENT are, in the Judgment Of the COMMITTEE,
highly criminal and should be so treated by the laws
of the several States. The right Of free discussion
while 1t is regarded absolutely necessary TO the
maintenance Of free government, may be expected IN
spes of great excitement to run into occasional he
sousness The corrective for this evil remains with
sbe State Governments, and the Comnittee do not
doubt that the desired corrective will be promptly
applied in all when the evil shall have assumed
formidable aspect while the just and rational freedom
< speech and of the press viii be carefully preserved
The enactment of laws, by some OF the States tend
g to oppote enbarrass the execution OF the acts OF
Congress for the recovery of fugitives from labor has
been alleged Is prominent complaint on the part OF
those States Of the Union In which Slavery exists
Tie Committee had been impressed with the belief
that this one OF those grievances referred 10 IN the
Presidents message, to which the Southern states
Httaci ed great Importance The resolves OF popular
assemblies in Southern States-the addresses OF speak
ers TO Southern andiences-the frequent and earnest
references TO it, by the newspaper press OF the SOUTH
great and fragrant violation OF the Constitution,
and Of the fraerna relation of the Free TO the Slave
states-the denunciation of those laws by Southern
members of Congress- in both branches OF the National
Legislature for the last three four years-have to-
gcher given 20 this subject great and in the Judgment
Of tas Committee, undue importance. With whatever
intent design eush laws may have been enacted In
eny State they cannot be regarded having had any
effect IN preventing obstructing the recapture
OF fs,iives from labor The laws Of the United
States for the recovery of fugitive slaves exc
Gated exclusively by the United States Courts and
Commissioners appointed by them. AS neees-
sAry const quence it follows that any State
law which offers any obstacle to the full and perfect
sxecaIon Of the laws of the United States wopld be
ysid, and Of effect whatever, and would DC 20 oe
aaIed by the United States Coz IT and Ct minis lone.
Aue law
10 Do any mischief whatever to any one concerned in
the rscapture Of fugitive slave, and at most can be
ousidered only exhibition Of oppoeitlon TO law
which some of the States regard as containing pros
ions dangerous the rights of f. persons residing
within their limits. While, therefore, the Committee
have not been able TO perceive that the State laws
eomplsned OF can really Affect the ngnLs OF %
s,s 70 eoncste the feelings, as well as TO protect the
interests of our fellow citizens of the South the Com
uit,ee have respectfully requested all Non-SlayehOld
State
repeal III laws which come in conflict with the Constr
sutton of the United States with the laws enacted
BY Congress for the recapture OF fuives from LABOR
and have submitted resolution TO that effect for adop-
We have seen with satisfaction that the Governors
of several States, within the last week. have brought
the subject TO the notice Of their respective Legisla
tures and recommended Legislative action IN accord
aRoe with the views OF the Committee, and we enter
tn doubt that the feelings as well as the interests
Of all the EOn-saveholding States viii combine to ef-
feet the great object much desred-the restoration
If mutual respect and confidence between ali the States
of tie Union.
The Committee deemed it incumbent on them, in
connection with the foregoing subject 70 revise TO some
extent the laws in force fer the recovery OF agi-
lives from labor. After the most careful examination
of the subiect, the Committee have framed amend
mept 10 the existing laws, which, 1t ia believed viii
much improve them.
The law of 1850 was supposed TO contain provision
which positively required any citizen, who might De
called on for this purpose to aid the owner Of fugi
tive or his agent the Marshal Of the United States,
m searching for and capturing such fugitive, whether
ferdble resistance were apprehended or not. This
idea whether well or i'll founded, has 70 very great
extent become the popular belief IN many OF the States,
and in the opinion of the Committee, has had the eject
20 render the law dstasteful and offensive. Us OBJ
yious that such belief would operate to cripple the
efficiency Of the law, and, TO extent, prevent its
prompt and peaceful execution where that belief pre-
vailed II - reasonable 10 suppose that this odious
provision believed to be part Of the law has given
rise " much Of that opposition to it, much complained
Of BY tie South The second section OF the bill pro-
ssnted by the Committee, it is believed, viii relieve
the law from all objection of that kind and tend ma
terIIy TO lite easy and speedy execution thus mprov
ing its efficiency a. remedy by making u more ac-
ceptable the people among whom 1t Is 10 be enforced
and by whose aid In case Of forcitle resistance II s 10
Be made edectuaL
TAe PROVISIONS of the first section Of the bill IL IL
hoped, viii the fugitive If he alleges he Is freel
fir and impartial trial. certainly than Tie law
n Il stand The Committee believe thai this I'M
esrtainty 70 the fate of arrested fugitive,
kas given rise 70 the few instances known 10 on, OF
forcible resisance TO the law The objection TO
AAe present law has undoubtedly stimulated tho pas
Bge, IN most instances, of what are called Perspnal
Liberty bills' in some of the States II should he
borne In uind that the objections urged by the North
ern people not 10 law for the recovery OF fng
tives who really owe labor, but they founded 10 |
ths belief thathe present law may and does permit the
seizure of persons who Free and subjects them 10
servitnde contrary TO both law and night. The Com
ittee believe Ii 10 be I'M us 10 the Free States. 10
sor that any considerable number Of persons IN those
States opposed To the reclamation OF persons who
hY the laws Of any State, labor service to
sbsr. II any such class exists IL is thai know n as AbOh
onists. THIS class asserts it's opposition 70 the Const
eUtioD, because does authorize the pursuit and recap
cure OF fstive slaves In whatever light the psrsons
eomposipg this class may be regarded it - certain
sheI numbers are 80 snail compared with the entire
voting population Of the Free States, that no danger