I am glad of your
new appeal. Like everything from you, it is careful, logical, clear, and with a
practical bearing on the times. I am inclined to believe with you that under the
Constitution the duty of surrendering fugitive slaves is imposed upon the
States; but there is great difficulty in assuming this point in the face of a
solemn decision of the Supreme Court. If that decision were out of the way, I
think it could be easily vindicated the States. Mr. Chase in his masterly
speech has touched this point strongly.
You have doubtless
read Webster's recent wicked letter.1 There is a diabolism in it
beyond even that of his speech. He seeks to assimilate the cases of fugitives
from justice and fugitive slaves under the Constitution; and because the former
cannot claim the trial by jury where they are seized, “argal” slaves cannot !
But the Constitution, by its peculiar language, settles this point. Look at the
express words of the two clauses. Here ex vi termini the question whether
service or labor be due must be determined, as a condition precedent, before
the person can be delivered up. Of course, this must be determined in the State
where he is found, and not in that to which he may be transported.
1 To Citizens of Newburyport, May 15, 1850.
SOURCE: Edward L.
Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, p. 216
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