The Fugitive Slave Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Fugitive Slave Law - Essay Example The rights of the citizen especially freedom should be upheld by such legislation in Massachusetts. However, there is higher prevalence of slavery ever since the beginning of the 19th century. The law is supreme and south Massachusetts is a free state. As a citizen, human being and a free member of the American society, just like Jim, therefore, has a right to fare trial and treatment as a human being and not as a property that someone can claim and possess without considering his own personal feelings. This is the quandary (Baker, 167). The Legal Defense Fund Based on the later relationship and existence of Jim among the free members of the state, He has enjoyed better living conditions where, his fundamental rights were upheld. He has thus realized himself, appreciated the role of the society more positively and has come to contribute positively and effectively to the development of the society in the state and America without fear of oppression (Baker, 146). The person claimed to be a property to someone has been enjoying this freedom and rights for over three years now and is happy to remain in this state. As a citizen, the law should allow him to make rightful choices of whether to get back to his original master, where he was the slave or live with his new employers as a free person of rights. The Hearing I have this case due to the fact that much is at stake with the previous ruling already delivered. We realize the supreme nature of the law and we also appreciate that human beings have their rights which the law should strive to protect in whatever circumstances. During the hearing of this case, we note that there was no jury as one of the legislations requirement for this country require. Further, we should note that North Massachusetts is a free state with specific legislations and principles on slavery though most of the time we have never had such complications to call on our state laws in regard to this matter but there is always precedence and thi s is one such circumstance (Baker, 210). It is therefore, highly significant that the above elements are considered in determining this case so as to ensure the slave, as we can not prove otherwise here in Massachusetts, can testify and make rightful propositions. The Procedures The procedures and legislations established by congress are legal and supreme as they form part of our constitution. We therefore realize that the Fugitive Slaves Act established by 1850 belongs to superlative laws, which this State must abide. As a free state, Massachusetts has established its own procedures aimed at ensuring that the rights of its citizenry towards fair legal processes are consistent. Though the Fugitive Slaves act govern the matters of slavery, the Massachusetts procedures should have been used to offer Jim a fair trial. We ask ourselves whether the rights of Jim to a jury trial were upheld and whether he was subjected to fair and due legal process. It is based on this that we can give a final verdict or ruling on this matter. Massachusetts is a free state and by purely abiding to the procedures outlined in the Fugitive Slaves Act, we undermine our own procedures and thus should reconsider this. The Fugitive Slave Laws Though the fugitive slaves Act only requires a hearing, which has been held so far, we should appreciate that this was not done according to the proced