Fugitive Slave Law

From the Louisville Democrat

Fugitive Slave Law

Several attempts to arrest fugitive slaves of late discourage the hope that the law will ever be executed in the free States, at least in some localities. At Buffalo, there was a failure, but unattended with violent opposition to the law. - The escape of the slave was under the forms of legal proceedings; but at Christiana the master was killed, his son perhaps mortally wounded. At Syracuse, New York, a mob rescued the negro from the hands of the officer - the United States marshal wounded. The whole community seem to have been engaged in the outrage, and appear to congratulate each other on the success of the mob in resisting the law. In this condition of things neither political party in New York seems disposed to do its whole duty. The whigs declined all promises, direct or indirect, except that the laws of the United States in general should be executed, whist the tone of the whig press is almost wholly such as to create a sentiment in the public mind which renders the execution of the law impossible. This same party took care to assert the right of agitating the fugitive slave law, and urging its repeal.

 

The democratic party, whilst they congratulated the country upon the compromise measures, evidently have not the control of public sentiment on this subject. The fugitive slave law will be but feebly supported; and its execution is left to the tender mercies of the higher law faction. The provisions of the Constitution are plain - plain as the law itself - and it is practically repudiated at some points in two of the largest States of the Union. Some who connive at this state of things, nevertheless, are clamorous for the Union. The hypocrisy of this is bad enough. Men who claim to be friends of the Union whilst they leave one of its conditions to be trampled under foot, and even chuckle over the outrage, deserve the scorn and contempt of honest men. We had hoped that the sober second though would have put an end to these outrages, but our expectations have been very partially realized. It would be vain to contend for the Union in the Southern states if these things continue. However small a value they may set on pecuniary losses, the open obstruction of the right guarantied in the Constitution will not be suffered patiently. On this subject there will be, sooner or later, but one party South. The ground on which the friends of the Union have urged and brought about an acquiescence in the compromise will be destroyed if these things continue. Our reasons will all be swept away. We say most seriously to the people of the free States, that they may think such proceedings as those at Syracuse mere matters of sport, and political juggling on this subject a small matter, but they are not so. They are signs of coming trouble and calamity over which humanity will have to mourn.