Abolitionists had always been stigmatized as lawbreakers whose aim was the destruction of slavery in utter disregard of the rights of the States.

This charge was absolutely false; their settled program involved full recognition of state and municipal control over slavery.

Yet after public attention had become fixed upon conduct on the part of the abolitionists which was illegal, it was difficult to escape the implication that their whole course was illegal.

This was the tragic significance of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850..