Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Great use has been made of the compromise press, (says the Charleston Mercury,) of the alleged loyalty of Pennsylvania to the Constitution, in the repeal of anti-Southern enactments.  In point of face, the Legislature had before them a bill to repeal all the provisions of the abolition enactment, by they reduced it down to the simple repeal of the section which prohibited the use of the jails and prisons of the State from detention of fugitives from labor.  In this shape the bill passed both Houses; and after due consideration, was disapproved by the Governor.  This is the amount of Pennsylvania loyalty, and these are the specimens of Northern justice and Northern kindness, for which the peace-loving people of the South are ready to be grateful.

It may be as well to advice our readers that Gov. Johnston, with whose disapproval this bill met, is a Whig, and a warm supporter of the administration – compromise and all – but having “great feeling” on the subject of the return of fugitives from labor, he cannot consent that the jails of his state shall be used for their confinement and safe keeping.  Notwithstanding his “feeling” on this subject, however, he will no doubt see that the fugitive slave law shall be executed in good faith!  It would be criminal to doubt this, since we have the assurances of Judge Campbell and the submissionists that such will be the case.  It is true, the fact that but three Northern Whigs votes for the fugitive law might give rise to the suspicion that obstructions would be placed in the way of its execution, nevertheless, we must smother our doubts lest we incur the charge of disunion.  And then the difficulties that have attended the reclamation of some half dozen negroes since the passage of the law, might have a tendency to make one skeptical on the subject, yet this is no doubt all moonshine, for Mr. Webster has told the northern people that they ought, as good citizens, to observed the compromise in good faith, and Judge Campbell informs us that Mr. Fillmore has told them the same thing.  He must be incredulous truly, who can doubt after having received such “high assurance.”