The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-30

ing familiar to the reader. but We may glance on
another occasion at the account of Andrew
johnson.
Il was in his first inaugural address that Mr..
lincoln defined with singular distinctness his
personal intentions with regard to slavery. and
went on to set forth his view Of the binding
force Of the Constitution. In unequivocal Ian
ounre he declared that II have no purpose, d.
rectly or Indirectly, to interfere with tho insti-
tuition of slavery In tho States where 1t exists. 1
believe I have no lawful right to do so, and l
have no inclination to do So" He reminded his
auditors that those who had nominated and
elected him placed In tho platform as q law to
themselves and to him the following clear and
emphatic resolution: THAT the maintenance in
violate Of tho rights of the States, and especially
the right Of each State to order and control its
" domestic Institutions. according to its own
Judgment exclusively, is essential to that bal
ance Of power on which the perfection Of our
political fabric depends; and wo denounce the
lawless invasion by armed forco OF the soil OF
any State or Territory, no matter under what pre-
text, as among the gravest OF crimes" These
sentiments" Mr.. Lincoln said, "Inow rcitorate,
and in doing SO / only press upon the public at
tention the most conclusive evidence OF which
the case 10 susceptible that the property. peace.
and security Of no section arc to DO in any wise
endangered by the incoming Administration"
It 10 well known that one of the Rriev-
ances on which tho Shareholders had laid
great stress was the opposition made
in certain Northern States to tho surrender of
fugitive slaves. The position taken by Mr..
Lincoln in reference to this matter was unmis-
taxable: There Is much controversy about the
delivering up of fugitives from service or labor.
The clause i now read IL as plainly written In
the Constitution as any other OF It's provisions:
No person held to labor or service In one State,
under the laws thereof. escaping into another,
shall in consequence OF any law or regulation
therein be discharged from such service or
labor. but shall DO delivered up on claim OF tho
party to whom such service or labor may be due.
It is scarcely questioned that this provision was
intended by those who madeit for the roclaiming
Of what we call fugitive slaves. and the intention
of tho lawgiver is the law. All members of Con-
gress swear their support to tho whole Constitu-
tion-to this provision as much as to any other.
To the proposition, then. that slaves whose cases
como within the terms OF this clause, shall Do
delivered up their oaths are unanimous. Now.
IL they would make tho effort in good temper,
could they not with nearly equal unanimity
frame and pass a law by means OF which to keep
good that unanimous oathi There is some DIFF
ference Of opinion whether this clause should
DO enforced by national or by State authority. but
surely that difference 10 not o very material one.
II the slave IS to DO surrendered. 1t can be OF but
little consequence to him or to others by which
authority 1t is done. And should any one in any
case BIO content that his oath shall 60 unkept on
. merely unsubstantial controversy as to how it
shall DO kept 7"
It IN we'll known that in his expositiop of the
nature of the contract assumed BY the States
which adopted the Constitution Mr.. Lincoln