Critics pointed out that Stowe had never been to the South, but her novel became a bestseller in the North (banned in the South) and the most effective bit of propaganda to come out of the abolitionist movement. It galvanized many who had been sitting on the sidelines.
blue law. 1. any puritanical law that forbids certain practices, especially drinking or working on Sunday, dancing, etc.
Color of law refers to an appearance of legal power to act but which may operate in violation of law. For example, though a police officer acts with the color of law authority to arrest someone, if such an arrest is made without probable cause the arrest may actually be in violation of law.