History of the United States from the earliest discovery of America to the end of 1902 . as passed, so Draconian that that of1793, hitherto in force, was benign in com-parison. It placed the entire power of thegeneral Government at the slave-huntersdisposal, and ordered rendition withouttrial or grant of habeas corpus, on a certifi-cate to be had by simple affidavit. By-standers, if bidden, were obliged to helpmarshals, and tremendous penalties im-posed for aid to fugitives. This act facilitated the recovery of fugi-tives at first, but not permanently. Manywho had labored for its passage soon
History of the United States from the earliest discovery of America to the end of 1902 . as passed, so Draconian that that of1793, hitherto in force, was benign in com-parison. It placed the entire power of thegeneral Government at the slave-huntersdisposal, and ordered rendition withouttrial or grant of habeas corpus, on a certifi-cate to be had by simple affidavit. By-standers, if bidden, were obliged to helpmarshals, and tremendous penalties im-posed for aid to fugitives. This act facilitated the recovery of fugi-tives at first, but not permanently. Manywho had labored for its passage soon sawthat it was a mistake. It powerfully fannedthe abolition flame all over the personal liberty laws were daily increasing numbef adopted theview that the new act was unconstitutional,on the ground that the Constitution placesthe rendition of slaves as of criminals inthe hands of States, and guarantees jurytrial, even upon title to property, if overtwenty dollars in value. After the acthad been justified in the courts, multitudesof moderate northern men urged to a. Millard a painting by Carpenter in 1853, at the City Hall^ New York. 1850] COMPROMISE OF mS^o 213 dangerous degree the doctrine of staterights in defence of the liberty adopted the cry of the higherlaw, and without joining Garrison in de-nouncing the Government, did not hesitateto oppose in every possible way the oper-ation of this drastic legislation for slave-catching. The countrys growth made escape frombondage continually easier and . across the border a runaway was sureto find many friends and few , or, if this was required, by stealth,he was passed quickly along to the Canadaline. Between 1830 and i860 over 30,000slaves are estimated to hav,e taken refugein Canada. By 1850, probably no less than20,000 had found homes in the free new law moved many of these acrossinto the British dominions. It was henceincreasingly difficult for
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