Personal Liberty Laws, and Slavery in the Territories,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1861 Excerpt: ... the Constitution of the United States, which oath they violate by their support of secession. If they should reply, that they trace the doctrine that the oath has no binding force to the teachings of a New England pulpit, what shall we answer? Along with the new lessons to be learned, and the new adjustments which are perhaps to be made in our social and political system, it is devoutly to be hoped that a small class of New England clergymen will come to the understanding, that they are not serving the Lord when they denounce the constitution, weaken our reverence for law, and encourage resistance to this particular portion of it. The clause in the constitution, and the laws enacted under it, are not grievances which require to be redressed by revolution. We have a very poor opinion of the piety of the Rev. Doctors of Divinity at the south who are preaching secession so vigorously at the present time. Those at the north who preach nullification, serve the same master. Let me respectfully suggest to them that the judicial tribunals are much safer and better judges of constitutional and legal rights and obligations than they can possibly be. The case of Latimer was terminated by the purchase of his freedom. I have adverted to a few, only, of the circumstances attending it, for the purpose of introducing the act of 1843 upon this subject, a the leading legislation of the Commonwealth in opposition to the execution of the law for the rendition of fugitives; the principle of which has since that time been greatly expanded. Acting upon the implication contained in Mr. Justice Story's opinion, that State magistrates might be prohibited by State legislation from exercising authority under the act of 1793, the legislature in 1843 enacted, that no judge of any ...