The Fugitive Slave Law is one of the most controversial laws in U.S. history and of the slave era. It was passed by Congress in 1793, and it granted the right for slave owners to capture and return their slaves if they ran away anywhere within the United States, even if the slave ran to a free state. Additionally, punishments were given to those who helped slaves escape their owner. Joshua Giddings wrote a speech on this topic, giving the South a not so pleasant viewpoint. He says, “The man who should assist in the capture of a fugitive would be regarded by us as guilty” (Giddings). The crime the person would be guilty of is murder according to Giddings. He believes that capturing a slave and sending him or her back to the South is worse than
