Fugitive Law in Chicago
At a recent meeting of the city council of Chicago, the following resolution was adopted - ayes 9, noes 1:
"Resolved. That the Fugitive Slave Law, lately passed by Congress, is a cruel and unjust law, and ought not to be respected by an intelligent community, and that this Council will not require the city police to render any assistance for the arrest of fugitive slaves."
We confess we are surprised at this step. The idea of a city council sitting in judgment upon a law of Congress, and deliberately assuming to itself the powers of the Supreme Court of the United States, and pronouncing a law unconstitutional, is not only ridiculous, but is humiliating to all good citizens. Where is their authority to act? By what right do they decide?
We regret this step, as we know, in advance, the use that will be made of it at the South. It will be held up there as evidence of the determination of the people of the North to disregard the law and the Constitution. It will encourage the disunionists, and fan the flames of discontent all over the land. No good can come of such lawless acts. Evil, and evil only, will be the result.
