What was the South's reaction to the North's lack of enforcement of the 1793 Fugitive Slave Law?

The South's reaction to the North's lack of enforcement of the 1793 Fugitive Slave Law was one of significant irritation among many Southern leaders. The law was intended to ensure that escaped slaves could be captured and returned to their owners, but as Northern states began ignoring or even actively opposing the law, Southern slaveholders saw this as a direct challenge to their property rights and an affront to the institution of slavery. This growing frustration contributed to the larger sectional tensions leading up to the Civil War, as Southern leaders viewed the lack of enforcement as a violation of their rights and a sign of increasingly hostile attitudes towards slavery in the North.

The feelings of irritation were exacerbated by the fact that Southern states relied heavily on the institution of slavery for their economic stability and social order. As more Northern states passed personal liberty laws—which provided legal protections to escaped slaves—Southern leaders grew more determined to protect their interests, further driving a wedge between the two regions.