Fugitive+Slave+Act+of+1850

If i was alive during this time in history i would be outraged with the fugitive slave act of 1850 whether i was black or not. I would have been pissed because that is just wrong even though slavery itself was bad. By passing this law it made all of the esaped slaves return to their owners even if they were in a free state. This pretty much made it so the blacks had nothing to live for, and even if they did escape this brutal lifestyle they would more than likely be returned to their rightful owner. Even though the slaves were the white people's property, like they actually baught them and it was their money. As bad as that sounds. Seriously what would they live for a couple pieces of bread at christmas time. I mean the slave owner pry treates his dog better than he treated another human being. If i was put in that situation i would kill my self and just get it over with. What do you think. 1204169652

Even though i hate the law i understand it, but that still gives no right to do it. if you owned property and it got up and walked away you would be just as pissed. i know that i am sounding like i want the law and i am defending it but i really am not i am just pointing out why it was put out there. i really don't like the law either, but the government had to try to please everyone even though it may never achieve that goal. i also agree with ssi that i would be flipping if that law was put into action, but there is really nothing you could do at the time, but people did start getting pissed and uprising that is what started the civil war. i also agree with ssi that the slave owner probably treated his dog better which is absolutly revolting. it was worse to be a slave than to be a prsoner, so the slaves could be the nicest people in the world and would live worse off than a triple homicide criminal.

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Well, I am black..so if anyone should be feeling outraged it should probably be me. Anyone has the right to be angry by such a bad thing as slavery but in this case I could relate to those who were hurt by it more. Yes, it's a sad thing that's happened in history and probably the most unfortunate and yet tragic. It's hard for me living in a country knowing i'm in a place where such hatred took place. And even though there's so many people who think Slavery was wrong, there's still a substantial amount of others who even encourage it. Racism is a strong thing we deal with in this country. I don't think the Fugitive Slave Act should've been passed becuase not only was it not fair, but it was to the up-most disrespect to all African Americans. It's sad knowing this happened, but we'll just have to go on and deal with it like we have with other terrible events.1204247967

The Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States congress. I think that this was outragous. To think that there was even such thing as slaves makes me cringe. Not only that, but after they run away for a good purpose, they are forced to return to their masters. That would ruin my day! It's sad to think that actually happened in our history. I mean, think about it, we are now living so free and happy in a place that was once a hell hole for African Americans. But then again, back then they thought it was ok. After reading about the Act, I started to compare the Act to some of the issues of our day. In some states we are allowing abortion, and the death penalty. What is the difference? People might not see abortion or the death penalty as a bad thing right now. But I garrentee we will look back and wonder why we ever thought it was ok. 1204256990

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was certainly not meant to be fair. That may sound a little bit harsh, but i haven't had the oppertunity to state my opinion. For the person who has posted directly two above me. I feel for you. Now, I am not one who has experienced such hatred and hurt such as this, but I agree with one thing that you stated above, and I believe it with great heart and passion. For people of color, my hat goes off to you. If you are able to get up everyday and hold your head up high because you are proud of who you are and you are proud of your black history, bravo. As it states in the Pledge of Allegience; "We are **ONE** nation; under God and //indivisible//. __ONE__ nation. It also states in the Declaration of Independence for all men to be created equal. Well, obviously equality was not established in 1850; and it is sickening to know, that we citizens have a hard time establishing it now, today. After reading this entry, my whole outlook on the "beauty of the place I live," has changed. My perspective on life has changed. I am blessed to be in such a wealthy country.. but am I so blessed to know that one of my ancestors could have been the one issuing this sort of thing, or even a bystander who didn't do anything to help. My eyes have been opened, my heart has grown bigger. And from now on, after being emotionally touched by the message this story bears, I am going to do my best to put a stop to the negative in our society.. 1204257555

In my opinion this is changing the playing field. For things to be fair everyone needs to be on the same level. Slavery is totally inhumane and therefore it is equivalent to playing without any rules, this means that the slaves should be free to play without rules. This law should never have even been considered. If the slaves were smart enough to cheat the system and become free, nobody should be allowed to restore them back to their previous predicament. This is something that is terrible, these people had earned thier freedom, dont go and destroy their dreams.mme

If I was alive in 1850 I would be throwing my arms in anger even if I wasn’t African American. The Slave Act was absurd and out of the question and slavery was bad enough and for them to add this is crazy. This law made it so if you were an escaped slave, even if you were in a free state, you had to return to your owner and continue your work. This act made it so African Americans had nothing to live for and look forward to because no matter how hard you tried to escape they would put you right back. It is the harshest act or rule I think I have ever heard of, it is cruel. 1205202027

If I was alive in 1850 I would also be outraged even if I wasn't African American, because slavery is just wrong. By making the slave act all of the slaves that escaped into the north were forced to return to their owners. This law is insanely crazy to me now but I think in the past people didn't think it was such a big deal. After all to most of the people in the slave owning states just saw the African Americans as property. As some of you said they treated their dogs better than some of their slaves. It is pretty sad if you think about it, I am just glad that there is no more slaves in the U.S.A because it is just wrong. 1205281061

I completely agree 100% that slavery was in totality the most brutal, cruel, and malicious act done by individuals back then. Yet, you have to understand that diversity separated people during this time period and the color of someone's skin defined them and their lifestyle. Nowadays we would think of that idea as totally insane. I think that this law was absolutely wrong on so many levels. The idea of all free slaves returning to a lifestyle of horror, fear, and brutality is not right at all. I do not agree with this law and personally I believe that it should never have been passed. What is a downfall is that no matter how lowly African Americans were thought of all, no one should ever be referred to as another person's property. I think that sSi2 brought up an intersting point when they said, "Seriously what would they live for a couple pieces of bread at christmas time." When you really contemplate about that statement, it is so true. No one should ever be treated so badly and I feel a lot better knowing that the nation came to its senses and knows that everyone is equal and always has been and always will be!1205290866

I hate the thought of slavery. I think it is so sad and I am ashamed that people of our country thought it was ok to treat people like they werent important just because of there skin color. I think that the slaves were very brave at this time. Some of them would try to run away, and some would succeed. Although if they got caught they would face server and major punishment. But I think that it was very brave of them to try. I also think that they were very nice. There owners wouldn't treat them well, but they always were respectful to them. The Slave Act of 1850 was totally not fair. For all of those slaves who risked their lives escaping to freedom, they had to give that all up to go and live back with there owners in the South. I would be very upset and scared. I am glad that slavery doesn't still exist today. Although there are some peope who still discriminate toward people becauase of their skin color. This happens to all sorts of people, not just those who are black. I don't see it a lot, and it isn't that big of an issue, but it is still there. I hate that it is still happening and I hope people realize it is wrong. 1205360628

I hate thinking about slavery because when I learn about it, it disgusts me because I think that anyone that is capable of treating another human being like dirt is absolutely a terrible person. Slavery was a horrible problem back then, because I think the slave owners knew it was wrong, but didn't want to admit it because they needed to get all their work accomplished and either didn't want to pay people to do it, or they didn't want to pay someone a lot of money to do it. For the slaves that escaped, I give a lot of credit to because risking their lives to try to get away was very courageous. That is why I think that The Slave Act of 1850 was completely wrong because of the risk that any slave took while they tried to escape, and if they were caught, they had to return to their slave owner. When they returned they probably faced even a more harsh punishment then under 'normal circumstances'. I agree with hla when they say that they are glad that slavery doesn't exist today because I believe that God created everyone equal and no one deserves to be treated like a slave. 1205378219

I think that people were just out of their minds in 1850. They thought they had right to judge another group of people and think that they were superior than the black people just because of their skin color. America was and still is like a melting pot of different race and cultures. This country was originally occupied by the native-americans or the indians, so if anyone has right to discriminate other race, it should be them. However, long ago, our ancestors from different coutries came to this land and decided that this land would be the land of freedom, where every men is believed to be equal. People in 1850 forgot this fact, and white people thought they could rule the colored people, thinking that they were superior than any other race. 1205450032

Although the people of today obviously strongly disagree with this Act, we must understand that the events it led to were crucial for the strength of this country. This led on to much of the civil war, which I have already discussed in previous posts was a big part of this country. It was terrible at the time, and many young men were killed, but this country would not be anything like it is today without the difficult events we had to go through. Also, having a great leader like Abraham Lincoln helped us through the war. 1205470759

I agree with many of you in the fact that I disagree and am outraged with The Fugitive Slave Act. Even to look beyond the point of this act and look at slavery itself. I believe that slavery is probably the worst things that has ever happened in this country. The whole entire purpose of our country is freedom. Thats **free** dom.... being free. America was started so we could believe in what we want, say what we want, worship who we want, and do what we want. The moment someone began the idea of slavery all of this ended. I think its things like this act that actually do make The Civil War seem like a good thing. Without that we wouldn't have defeated slavery. Also without people like Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr. our country would be so very different without them making a difference in our world. 1205473659