The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-06-12
The Fugitive Slave E-ayy.
Secretaries.

When the present session of Congress
began, men of all political organizations
INDUCED in speculations as to the various
subjects which would come up for legis-
lative action, and the manner IL which
they would respectively be met and dis
posed of. Because the political complex
ion of majority of the members of both
branches happened to be Republican, and
manifested disposition to sustain the
Administration in its praiscworthy efforts
to preserve the unity of the States, the
BREcKINRIDGERs in the North were
especially full of conjectures, and ven
tured upon all sorts of predictions that all
and singular the ''rigbts" of their breth-
rem in the South would, somehow or other,
be speedily wiped out by some great and
sweeping enactment. Among the many
interesting prophecies with which We
were favored by these men, whose chief
delight it is to minister to Rebels and
Traitors, was one to the effect that the
repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law would
be one of the very first acts Of the present
Congress. However much such con-
summation may be desired by many who
have proven their loyalty and patriotism
in the present unexampled crisis, it is
quite certain that the ''wish was father to
the thought" with the BRECKINRIDGERs.
These bad men, so fondly hoping for some
new rallying cry, have thus been deprived
of their much-coveted thunder, and now
find themselves the victims Of most bit
ter disappointment. They discover much
to their chagrin, that the "rash legislation
from which they anticipated such "a glo-
rious reaction in the popular heart Of the
North" has not yet taken place; that
even the Fugitive Slave Law is still per-
mitted to remain on our Statute-book
and that while Congress has stood by the
Executive in carrying on tho War, in a
Constitutional manner and for Constitu-
tional purposes, it has shown as much
mercy and forbearance towards the infer
nal Rebels and Traitors IS their Infamous
conduct merited punishment.
But while that blemish-the Fugitive
Slave Law-may, in the wisdom Of Cen
gress, be still permitted to tarnish cur
National code, glad are We to notice that
q bill has been introduced into the Senate
of the United States for the notification
of its provisions. Hitherto no test Of
loyalty to the Union was required from
the heartless dealer in human flesh, who
invoked the strong arm of Federal law, to
aid him in the capture of the poor bleed
ing wretch, who might flee from his lash,
and attempt TO free himself from the
aceursed chains o. Slavery. Now it is
proposed to remedy that defect, if nothing
more. The bill TO which we have re-
ferred, and which is in charge of Senator
WILSON, Of Massachusetts, provides that
none but loyal masters shall lay claim TO
u runaway slave under the old law, and /
even in that case, the fugitive shall have
u trial By jury, and be allowed, equally
with his master, to give evidence at the .
hearing. \ modification Of this character
could not fail to be attended with benef-
oial results. Under It's benign operation,
many a slave would receive that freedom
which Lis God intended for him, instead
of being goaded back to the mauacles
from which he was endeavoring TO escape.
More than this, 1t wouid have tendency