Publicopinionhailedthisdoctrinewithahowlofwildapplause，andsettheprisonersfree，towalkthecity，menofmark，andinfluence，andstation，astheyhadbeenbefore。
Publicopinion!whatclassofmenhaveanimmensepreponderanceovertherestofthecommunity，intheirpowerofrepresentingpublicopinioninthelegislature？theslave-owners。TheysendfromtheirtwelveStatesonehundredmembers，whilethefourteenfreeStates，withafreepopulationnearlydouble，returnbutahundredandforty-two。Beforewhomdothepresidentialcandidatesbowdownthemosthumbly，onwhomdotheyfawnthemostfondly，andforwhosetastesdotheycaterthemostassiduouslyintheirservileprotestations？Theslave-ownersalways。
Publicopinion!hearthepublicopinionofthefreeSouth，asexpressedbyitsownmembersintheHouseofRepresentativesatWashington。\'Ihaveagreatrespectforthechair，\'quothNorthCarolina，\'Ihaveagreatrespectforthechairasanofficerofthehouse，andagreatrespectforhimpersonally；nothingbutthatrespectpreventsmefromrushingtothetableandtearingthatpetitionwhichhasjustbeenpresentedfortheabolitionofslaveryinthedistrictofColumbia，topieces。\'-\'Iwarntheabolitionists，\'saysSouthCarolina，\'ignorant，infuriatedbarbariansastheyare，thatifchanceshallthrowanyofthemintoourhands，hemayexpectafelon\'sdeath。\'-\'LetanabolitionistcomewithinthebordersofSouthCarolina，\'criesathird；mildCarolina\'scolleague；\'andifwecancatchhim，wewilltryhim，andnotwithstandingtheinterferenceofallthegovernmentsonearth，includingtheFederalgovernment，wewillHANGhim。\'
Publicopinionhasmadethislaw-IthasdeclaredthatinWashington，inthatcitywhichtakesitsnamefromthefatherofAmericanliberty，anyjusticeofthepeacemaybindwithfettersanynegropassingdownthestreetandthrusthimintojail:nooffenceontheblackman\'spartisnecessary。Thejusticesays，\'I
choosetothinkthismanarunaway:\'andlockshimup。Publicopinionimpowersthemanoflawwhenthisisdone，toadvertisethenegrointhenewspapers，warninghisownertocomeandclaimhim，orhewillbesoldtopaythejailfees。Butsupposingheisafreeblack，andhasnoowner，itmaynaturallybepresumedthatheissetatliberty。No:HEISSOLDTORECOMPENSEHISJAILER。Thishasbeendoneagain，andagain，andagain。Hehasnomeansofprovinghisfreedom；hasnoadviser，messenger，orassistanceofanysortorkind；noinvestigationintohiscaseismade，orinquiryinstituted。He，afreeman，whomayhaveservedforyears，andboughthisliberty，isthrownintojailonnoprocess，fornocrime，andonnopretenceofcrime:andissoldtopaythejailfees。Thisseemsincredible，evenofAmerica，butitisthelaw。