Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-04-15


Massachusetts 70 the clause in the constitution which requires
ugives from justice be delivered up on the dead o the
Executive OF the State from which be fed He coniended
that every State was bound pass the necessary carry
this clause Of the constitution and the States equally
bound the necessary laws execute the succeeding
clause in reference uees from labor which requires that
the slave shall be delivered up the claim Of the party
whom such service orabo may be DUE. Ga whom shall the
claim be made, and who she'll deliver up the fugitive The
claim in the one like the demand in the other shall be
made and the fugitive delivered up by the authorities Of
the State into which the fugitive in both instances goes The
law Of Massachusetts, instead aiding obslructs the cxecu
ton Of this clause in the constitution.
Mr.. AsHMUN said the Supreme Court had decided in the
negative the questions Of the gentleman from Virginia Mr
MEAnE) in the Pennsylvania case 1fa etN
Mr.. GiDDiNGS aked the gentleman from Massachusetts,
to give him the oo that he might say word Of explanation
this point
Mr.. ASHMUN assented.
Mr.. GlDDlNGS said, far as this discussion embraced
great and fundamental principles with the pleas
that he mingled in the debate but when degenerated
to personal attacks, he had desire take part But
here was high and important question: which neither
the gentlemen OF the North Of the South had paid the at
lenion which its Importance demanded and therefore, he had
requested the gentleman from Massachusetts, give him
opportunity 70 correct missaement which had been made
When the gentleman from Virginia this floor stated TO be
the duty OF the States ugves from labor basng
his statement the law Of 93, he (Mr CD in the sincerity
OF his heart, asked the gentleman o Virginia read the
law for himself He (Mr G had thrown the defiance
to the gentleman that he could find such law and the gen.
would read IT, Hehadhe hcaw, and he believed contaned
no such provision as the gentleman from Virginia seemed TO
suppose requiring the arrest of fugitive slaves any nte
renee whatever by the authorities people Of the free States
He would read the law because the gentleman from
Virginia. after he had furnished him with it, had passed over
very important consideration which he had called the gem
tleman's attention.
Mr. G. here read the third section of the law Of 1893
Now, that to which he wished call the attention of the
House and of the country this that there prov
sion there whatever authorizing the people of the free States
TO arrest such fugives There nothing in this law
IN the constitution to authorize State magistrate Judge
issue process TO arrest them There nothing this law
to authorize the executive officer of any free State
such process 1t provided that the persons
whom such due their agent might arrest but
there obligation the people of the free States to
make the arrest He that in States the prac
ce was for the State magistrates arrest but they had
authority IN this law for doing it aud in short the practice
without law TO justify it-wilhou Congr ssional law
and therefore he had desired call the attention of the gen
eman from Virginia TO this law that he might correct the
which he had faen and he did this the more anx
ousy because he knew the force of that genemans opinion
the community when should go out TO the country
How then stood the fact The matter between
the owner and the slave Mr. BAYLY assenied
Mr.. GIDDINGS. The gentleman from Virginia admitted
that he right WE'LL them he would call the attention OF
agent OF the master might tho fugitive slave but there
was obligation the free States assist him. When
ever slave was on their free soil he egenerated
and redeemed from his fetters and the laws of Virginia
any other slave State had ceased 10 control him. He was
then only liable to the provision Of the constitution Of the Uni
ted States and that authorizes the to him in
peaceablc manner the officer would ares, c-
mna OF debtor. He (Mr G would go little further,
for he wished the gentleman know the whole Of the
When fugitive slave the free soil of Ohio be
was clothed with power to defend himself They lent the
master aid TO arrest him. and they could defend the
slave against the They left the slave to bis natural
right to defend himself and if the slave slew the in
self defence he lMr g. would pronounce him good fellow
by the laws ne was treated gallant man, and there
in M
in this House that they had right interfere. Why they
did not interfere They would not interfere s'Hands of,
their motto. 'Take your slave and catch him if you
can, another motto. And would the gentleman oppo
site (Mr M1ADE)-he knew the gentleman him (Mr.
BArLY would not urge that ponstand there and contend
that it the duty the free States catch Southern slaves
Certainly not The gentleman shook his head Now the
gentleman knew better. He knew the free States had
right interfere. Why, if Southern slave should slay his
master in Ohio in self Defence they could not be required in
Ohio to hang him. There law by which they could
do it.
Mr.. CABELL point Of order
Mr.. THOMPSON, Of Pennsylvania, the time,
and said he felt to be his duty especially be-
cause be knew il would be grievance TO his friend from
Ohio, (Mr. GIDDNss, ito make point Of order The gen.
eman addressing himself 10 the question before the
House the gentleman well knew that and he Of opn-
ion that this scene had continued long enough.
The SPEAKER desired the gentleman from Pennsylvania
TO state bis point Of order.
Mr. THOMPSON snid his point Of order was this, that all
discussions Of questions regarding acts Of Congress and sa
very, and the constitution, totally nappcabe to the
motion reconsider the by which they had congratulated
the French in achieving their revolution.
Mr. SAWYER | made that point time ago.
Mr. THOMPSON renewed it. then, now. He made il
with dsrespect the gentleman from Ohio, but put
end this DISCUSSION which crediabe either TO this
House the country. IL relevant the resolu
ons Of congatuaon with the French republic This House
had become an arena for domestic conflicts
The SPEAKER reiterated his former decision, that the
slavery Of the French West India Islands, which affected
by the French eyouon brought up the subject Of slavery
into which those who had participated in the debate had gone
by general There objections made the
remarks the gentleman from Massachusetts, (Mr PALrRKr
Of the gentleman from Virginia, (M BATLr the discus
sion had been continued by universal consents and therefore
The Chair held this particular debate be ORDER and that
the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. AsHMuN) had the
floor in reply the gentlemen from Virginia, (r. BArIr)
Mr. THOMPSON said the debate without his consent
and he desired know what the Chair would lay down
for the future discussions He wished know il the Chair
would allow the gentlemen proceed against the opinion
they out OF order.
The SPEAKER replied that the gentleman from Massa-
chuses Mr AsHNUS) entitled to the floor in reply to
the gentleman from Virginia Mr BArLr) by general consent
Mr. THOMPSON said he must correct the Chair. The
consent was not general, for he objected.
MI GIDDINGS inquired il he might proceed.
The SPEAKER The gentleman will proceed
Mt GIDDINGS said be regretted that gentleman from
free Satea State protesting freedom such that Of Penn
ylvniashoud raise his voice obuct the discussion Of
these great principles this floor, any where else.
The SPEAKER desired the gentleman from Ohio 10 con.
hnc himself 10 the question.
N, 4 A. ~ a