Year: 1861

any town or city in the Northern States. il
would be far better for you to invite SINH
lar discussion of our opinions rather than
confess your weakness by mob violence,
and excite alarm among your citizens and
unfounded hopes among your slaves, by mis-
representations.


Your right to recapture fugitive slaves,
under the words "persons held to service,
is not disputed by any considerable num-
Der of persons. By some it is held to be n
right to be enforced wholly by State au-
thority; but it is settled by series of de-
cisions, both in the Federal and State courts,
that it may be enforced by Congressional
enactment. We insist that the present law
upon that subject is unjust, harsh, and un-
constitutional in some Ofits provisions that
it may be used to kidnap free men as readi-
ly as recapture fugitives and that its prac-
tical effect Is to excite resistance. 1t ought
to be and will be modified. The laws of
the States to prevent abuses under it will
then fall, or be promptly repealed,


The complaint is made by gentlemen that
fugitiYes from justice have not been surren-
dered. have already referred 10 this mat
ter in reply to the gentleman from Ken
lucky, (Mr. Stevenson.)


This grows out of the construction given
to the clause of the Constitution providing
for such surrender in these words: trea-
son, felony, or other crimes" include all
prohibited offenses by State law, or only
crimes recognized by common law.


The Governors of Kentucky and Ohio
have limited these words to crimes at COM
mon law; but no doubt they would follow
legislative construction when given. Let
rs declare that the surrender shall be made
for all offenses committed in person, within
a State, and guard against constructive
crimes or constructive presence. If a cit
izen of Ohio enters within the jurisdiction
of Kentucky, and violates her laws he
should not escape from punishment by flee
ing to Ohio; nor should a citizen of Ken
lucky so escape. Good neighborhood and
comfy demand respect for even police reg
ulations.


The only remaining question, then, is in
regard to slavery in the Territories. AS to
Kansas, trust she may this day be admit
ted. l understand the bill is now under
consideration in the Senate How can
gentlemen. without blushing for very
shame, say to US anything about slavery in
the Territories, when they seek to prevent
the admission OF Kansas They attempted
to drag her unwiIlingly into the Union
under the Lecompton Constitution, and yet
the Senate delay her admission when she
has an ample population, and presents a
constitution approved by the people. Why,
then, not appeal to your political friends to
do promptly an act of justice by clothing
her with State sovereignty?


In regard to the balance Of the territory
north of 36 deg. so min, believe no sane
man thinks, after the experience we have
had in Kansas, that Slavery is going into
any territory north of that line. Indeed,
il is yielded that Slavery may be prohibited
in that territory by constitutional amend
ment. | know that Slavery can never be
planted there. | care not if Congress, |
care not if the Supreme Court, should so
decide, yet know that Slavery cannot by
any rule, by any law, or any decision, or by
any act, be carried into the territory north
of SO deg. 80 min. The attempt to carry
it as been properly met. The contest be-
tween Freedom and Slavery was fought in
Kansas. We won the victory, and you
ought to yield at once, and gracefully The
victory was won two years ago, and no. at
the last election.


The political power of Slavery was set
tied in the contest unhappily invoked by
you. If the Slave States will fairly read
the logic of events, they would no longer
seek to be the central sun around which all
the other States must revolve. They will
seek no longer the delusion of a united
South, thus inviting united North but as
separate States and as separate comm uni
ties of Southern States, as Cotton States, as
Border States, as Western States, they will
take their proper places in this great com
muLity of States. Who thinks of oppress-
ing New England because New England is
in the minority? Who thinks of oppress-
ing the Pacific States because they are in
the minority? If the Southern States will
be but satisfied with equality, and not
thrust their local institution upon us as
great national institution. the contest about
Slavery win die away. Then peace will be
restored harmony and quiet will come
We will love each other better for the strife
that was between u.s. The declaration of
the Chicago platform, that freedom is the
natural condition of Territories, will not
then obstruct your growth, expansion,
power, or prosperity.


CONCLUDED TOMORROW.