The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-23


gresslon What then, shall be action in governing
the Territories, which belong to the whole and do moi
exist separately as States Elsewhere have acted on
this subject as believe not only the interests of my
constituents require, but the interests of the whole
nation demanded-ihe South as well as the North And
in my Judgment the time Will come, and il is not distant
when the whole South, as we'll the North, will be
satisfied on ihls point Sir the Union is not in danger
although my honorable friends have expressed the senti-
men that IT u.s. and with great Difference to their opinions
venture to oppose my opinion 10 that OF both of the
gentlemen, that this Union was never safer or stronger
than It is at this moment | do not wish the peo-
pie who are looking TO with interest at this
time should suppose that any difference OF opinion
with regard 10 institutions TO be established in territory
should ehdanger the Unonhat this Union is feeble
as TO be so easily brought into peril No, SIR. believe
that The people OF this country are becoming and
more attached TO the Unon-more and more convinced
OF It's lmportance and, II necessary, may say, think,
and satisfied OF The utter futility of any at
tempt to break up IN any quarter When refer the
Hartford convention, | remember something of one at
tempt TO break up this Union And all others will share
the same fate It will be met by public opinion where
they are organized; and though that opinion be with the
minority II The minority 20 with the eternal principles
of right II will prevail az lns factious majority ANY
similar movement will share the same fate 1t will be
put down at home Ii will not be necessary to call for
The States to participate in it, 1t will be put down AS
i has BEEN SO will be again wish, then. to oppose
the opinion that the Union is in peril Ii is not
10 say any more upon this subject.
Mr. BUTLER. Having been made acquainted with
the transaction in Michigan 10 which the gentleman has
alluded feel myself sir called upon to state the facts in
correct point OF view So far regards that provision
OF the constitution which gives the STAKEHOLDER the right to
pursue, apprehend, and reclaim fugitive slave being still
force In the northern States have viewed the subject
carefully, and believe fairly, and consider as efecu
ally annnled--as perfectly out Of exstenceas if no pro-
vision OF the kind had been inserted in the censt
ton Now, sir, the transaction was something of this
kind gentleman from Kentucky proceeded in search Of
his slave to Michigan, and surrounded by mob of
white men, who ins,igated his slave to rebel
against him mob of white men, mingled with
free blacks, covered him with tauntng language and,
sir. by force-by terror OF arms-they took his own
slave from him, and sent him to Canada; and it was
for this respass upon his person, as | understand it,
that the action brought against some individuals i'm
Michigan; and after two trials, he did damages
before the Jury OF the country for trespass his per
son, as well, suppose, as invasion of the rights of
property. And will tell the gentleman from Connecti.
cut that even 10 his State it is penal offence for
stable or any officer of the peace to interfere to aid
ter in retaining his slave. 1t is penal offence for any
aor, or other person. TO aid master in recovering his
slave. think j, is SO in his State. know ii is 80 in
Massachusetts, Rhode Island New York, and | think
ton in regard to this subject are abrogated by such laws
am not certain that this is true in regard to New York
Mr.. DICKINSON. There is no such law, in the
Mr.. BUTLER | think there is such law, which
passed recently.
Mr.. DIX: The senator is entirely mistaken, for there
is no such law in the State of New York.
Mr.. CAMERON The gentleman is mistaken too as
regards Pennsylvania.
Mr.. BUTLER. l merely suggested that believed it
with regard to Pennsy lvania made report up
on the subject ami know that in all the States alluded
10 they have deprived that cause of the constitution of
It's force at least so far not to hold their officers bound
to support IT. but many OF them have also passed penal
laws upon that subject, making II an offence for any of
their citizens to aid the master in the taking of his own
slave; but may be wrong regards the State OF New
York.
Mr.. DICKINSON. 1t is not two weeks since the case
OF afugve slave was before the supreme court OF the
State OF New York, and had a hearing there under
this clause OF the constitution.
Mr.. BUTLER 1t may be that such case occurred
before the federal Judges but did it occur before of
the State Judges
Mr.. DICKINSON. 1t was not a federal Judge it was
State Judge
NJ. By l'JER And was he not dismissed,
MIR. DICKINSON. He was, think, on the ground
that he had not been brought legally before the Judge
MIR, Blu Tier. | have enumerated States where the
constitution is not held in full force and gentlemen may
make exceptions if they please
SENATOR. Did the gentleman allude to Michigan?
Mr. BU TIER | presume not; but in consequence OF
these oatrases and nacons of the constitution in
rlous quarters, introduced bill at the last session.
which shall call up, sir increasing the penalties under
that law OF the United States against those who shall in
terpose obstacles in the way of aresng fugitive slaves,
and tor the purpose of making it the duty OF all United
States officers postmasters and Others to give aid in their
arrest
1t IS known, sir, that by public opinion, and by the
connyance of judges and State laws in reference to this
article OF the constitution, the masters cannot regain
Their slaves stand up here, sir and say that noto
rlols that twenty escape now where one did formerly
ana that they cannot be reclaimed The population of
the shvehodmg States have become every day dis
satisfied by the inhammaory publications of the North
nay, sir, by the very agitation OF the question in
the Senate OF the United States. We are deprived
OF our rights under the constitution of the United
States We are oppressed and insued; and then,
ST. we are tainted when ourselves in the
doomed minority; when rise TO resist the hand
OF oppression, we to be branded with the
mputalon OF treason, and invasion upon the constitution
OF the United Sa'es-o putting in jeopardy the Union
Sir, when shall come 10 that, that they shall set free
the slaves IN the District of Columbia; when send
men to the battlefield, and they down and swept
OFT by the enemy, and their orphans and widows shall
not be allowed to go and claim equal participation
those territories for which they coDtended, it is time that
any people with manly sentiments, who cherish
their rights should maintain them, or they are un
worthy TO possess them. When you undertake to abol
Ish slavery in the District of Columbia, and then to
abolish save labor in the docks and arsenals of the
United States, and finally to decide that there is
no such species of property as sIave-tha they are
not those alluded to in the constitutional know
thingwhen that is DONE submission to it is degrada
ton know that the day this is done and consumma-
ed there is certainly OF nerlority and degradation
moi In the abstract slit is more than that 1t is some
Thing more than the doctrine; it is requiring of the slave
uon OF the United States by going to and by sacri
ncns Their persons; and when they home, it is tell
ing them that the territory they have acquired is to he
utterly taken from them If this doctrine is takenths
consuming doctrinewe shall be bound to submit to will
fu degradation if submit to this.
have not said what my State will do, sir, and do
know what other States will do; but unless am mista
KEN day after day you will have piled upon your table
pelons to dissolve The Union and instructions and
iuons will be sent here what will be the ultimate
consequences TO the oppessor in this system Of oppression
and aggression.
The gentleman from Connecticut mr. NrLEs1 says
ne viii not invade the institutions OF the South they
exist under the guarantees, by the constitutions of State
sovereignty. And, sir | thank him for his forbear-
ance; | suppose he will not, directly. He will not