To show their support of his verbal attack on charles sumner to show their support of his physical attack on charles sumner to suggest that he offer apologies and support to charles sumner to show their disapproval of his physical attack on charles sumner 5. which was a response to the fugitive slave act in many northern cities? residents took a neutral stance to the fugitive slave act, neither cooperating nor hindering its enforcement. residents gathered up escaped slaves and returned them to slave catchers. local ordinances were passed forbidding strangers to enter the cities. residents banded together to refuse to obey the fugitive slave act. 6.california’s request to join the union in 1850 would have given slave states an advantage over free states given free states an advantage over slave states extended slavery into a territory acquired from mexico restored the balance between free and slave states