THE “FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW” OF THE UNITED STATES, SHOWN TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, IMPOLITIC, INHUMAN, BY CHARLES STEARNS, 66 AUTHOR OF NARRATIVE OF HENRY BOX BROWN," AND BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. FOR SALE BY BELA MARSH, 25 CORNHILL. INTRODUCTION. FELLOW CITIZENS,-Once more I appear before you in behalf of the down-trodden of this land. For several years past I have been engaged in pleading in behalf of the bondmen of America, and during this period have occasionally issued a phamphlet upon the all important subject of Human Rights. I now resume my pen to plead against what I once thought could never be enacted by the Congress Can it be possible that of this country, corrupt as I knew it to be. we are plunging to lower depths in the pit of Slavery, than has been dreamed of by any other nation? Have we lost all regard for our characters, to say nothing of morality and humanity? Is the "Fugitive Slave Law" to remain a foul blot upon our statute-book? or is it to be immediately repealed, as a thing like vice, of so odious a nature as "to be hated, needs but to be seen?" I hope for the sake of our reputation at least that the latter event will happen, but I greatly fear that this will not be the case. The Fugitive Slave Law" is now one of the laws of the land, and instead of those persons who at first pretended to abhor it, while they counseled obedience to it as long as it remained a law, being desirous of its repeal, they now tell us to stop agitation—to remain quiet, and see the workings of the law." The" question of slavery is settled," our president tells us, and the political leaders of the nation respond-settled. Then it must be that it has sunk from our sight into the depths of oblivion, or it 66 will continue to trouble us as long as humanity remains in our hearts. It cannot be forgotten, as long as its victims continue to appeal to us in person for aid and sympathy. It never will be settled except by its total abolition, while Jehovah has a single worshiper in the land. In the following pages I shall endeavor to arouse all who peruse the work, if possible, to a greater abhorrence of this terrible law, than they now feel, in order that by so doing I may hasten the day of its repeal. Fellow citizens, this law must be repealed. Let every friend of his race adopt this as his watchword, until the law no longer exists : "The Fugitive Slave Law must be repealed, or we will dissolve the Union." Let this be the cry of the whole Northern people, and their will, will be accomplished. Boston, January, 1851. C. S. This assertion needs no proof; it is like the declaration that "all men are created equal," a self-evident fact, but as there are not a few individuals who affirm that this law is but the carrying out of the provisions of the constitution, for the return of fugitives, it may be of use to show that such is by no means the case. Although we do not admit that an immoral law is to be obeyed because it is constitutional, still we will not grant the enemies of freedom even this pedestal of error to stand upon. The law is plainly and palpably contrary to the whole letter and spirit of the constitution. We do not deny that the intention of the framers of this instrument was to provide for the return of fugitive slaves, nor that a certain clause of that instrument does provide for their return, although the word slave is not alluded to in that clause, nor will a strictly legal interpretation perhaps of the words of that clause, justify the surrender of the fugitive. But we can not deny that it was the intention of all the framers of the constitution to require such a return, and having abundant proof of their 1* |