[29]
Such arguments brought some sharp sarcasm on those who seemed anxious
"to legislate for the honor and glory of the statute book;"[30] some
desired "to know what honor you will derive from a law that will be
broken every day of your lives."[31] They would rather boldly sell the
Negroes and turn the proceeds over to charity.
The final settlement of the question was as follows:--
"SECTION 4.... And neither the importer, nor any person
or persons claiming from or under him, shall hold any right or
title whatsoever to any negro, mulatto, or person of color, nor
to the service or labor thereof, who may be imported or brought
within the United States, or territories thereof, in violation
of this law, but the same shall remain subject to any
regulations not contravening the provisions of this act, which
the Legislatures of the several States or Territories at any
time hereafter may make, for disposing of any such negro,
mulatto, or person of color."[32]
57. ~The Second Question: How shall Violations be punished?~ The next
point in importance was that of the punishment of offenders. The
half-dozen specific propositions reduce themselves to two: 1. A
violation should be considered a crime or felony, and be punished by
death; 2. A violation should be considered a misdemeanor, and be
punished by fine and imprisonment.
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