Joseph Story: “Privileges of Citizens—Fugitives—Slaves”

( 1833 ) Commentary by Austin Allen, University of Houston - Downtown

“It is of vital importance to the public administration of criminal justice, and the security of the respective states, that criminals, who have committed crimes therein, should not find an asylum in other states; but should be surrendered up for trial and punishment. It is a power most salutary in its general operation.… It will promote harmony and good feelings among the states; and it will increase the general sense of the blessings of the national government.” - “Privileges of Citizens—Fugitives—Slaves”
“It cannot escape the attention of every intelligent reader [of the Constitution], that many sacrifices of opinion and feeling are to be found made by the Eastern and Middle states to the peculiar interests of the south. This forms no just subject of complaint; but it should for ever repress the delusive and mischievous notion, that the south has not at all times had its full share of benefits from the Union.” - “Privileges of Citizens—Fugitives—Slaves”

Joseph Story (U.S. Supreme Court)

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