They have held that provisions against life and liberty should be strictly construed, while those in favor of life and liberty should be liberally construed,--the one so construed as to inflict as little of pain and privation as possible; the other, to give as much of freedom and immunity as possible.
Mann explains the legal principle that laws affecting life and liberty should be interpreted to minimize harm, while those granting freedom should be liberally interpreted.
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These are but specimens of what the Fugitive Slave law has already done, before the public mind has become familiarized with its brutalities, and while there is yet some sensibility to the claims of justice and mercy left among us.
A southern slave stands higher, politically, than a northern laborer, if the latter must vote as his employer dictates.
My instincts, reason, judgment, conscience, may all mislead; but from the first time, now years ago, when I heard this subject broached, my instincts, reason, judgment, conscience, have all been in its favor.
The liberty of voting includes all other liberties.
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