The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-28

Morse La Pey Stanton, Thomas, II Joansoa
The rules Of the Senate adopted by the meeting
Mr.. STEPHENS chairman Of the Select Committee of Fif
ecn) made report by submitting the journals OF the
ni,tse which ordssed bs inserted in the journal
and pfinlcd a.s fsLl.1 .....
Nj CALnous, from the Commuee of Fifteen, reported
the GLOWING address; which read by the Secretary
THIS address OF ssathsr. Delegates ~ Congress 70
their Constituents. ~.
We whose hereunto annexed, address you in
Discharge Of what hclieve 10 be solemn duty, the
most subject ever presented for your oonsdera
lion We alude 10 the conflict between the two great
sections of The Union, growing out OF difference of
feeling and opinion in reference to The relation existing
between the two races the European and African, which
nhab the southern section, and the acts OF aggression
and encroachnent to which II has led a
The cor Il ct commenced not long after the acknowl-
erment OF our Independence and has gradually increased
until it has anayed the great body OF the North against
The South this most vital subject In the progress OF
this conflict, aggression mas followed anu en-
croachment encroachment. uatil they have reached
point when regard for your peace and efy VIII not
permit US remain longer silent The object OF this ad-
dress i 70 give you clear correct pu. prs, account o,
your rights, with statement OF the dangers to which
hey expose YOU Our object making il is not to
excitement, but to put you m fuli possession all the
cepon OF deep seated disease, which threatens great
danger 10 YOU and the whole body polite. We act
the impression, that in popular government ike ours,
true conception Of the acuai character and of dis
ease is indsIt nsab!e to efecting q cure
We have made it joint address. because we believe
assume the most impressive and solemn form.
Not go further back, the difference OF opinion and
feeling reference to the relation between the two races
disclosed Itself IN me convention ma. ilameG me cGs
forming it. After many efforts, it was overcome by
which prov ied in the first place, that repre-
seD,aves and direct shall be apportOned among the
States according TO their respective numbers; and that in
asceTtanng the number Of EACH i've slaves shall be es
mated as three In the next that slaves escaping into
States where slavery does not exis shall not be dis
charged from servitude but shall be delivered up claim
of the party to whom their labor service is due In
the third place. that Congress shall not prohibit the i'm
poa,on of slaves before the year 1875 but tax not ex
ceeding len dollars may be imposed on each imported
And finally, that capaion or direct tax shall be ai
but in proportion federal numbers and that no amend
mept al the constitution, prior to 1905, shall effect this
nor tina, relating to the importation Of slaves
So satisfactory these provisions that the second,
relative to the delivering up of fugitive slaves. was
relative to the importation OF slaves until 1905. with al
most equal unanmity They recognise the existence OF
slavery and make specific provision for its protection
where il supposed to be the most exposed, Theygo
further and incorporate it, important element, in
determining the relative weight of the several States in
the government of the Union, and The respective burden
they should bear in laying captaton and direct taxes
1t was well understood at the mc that, without them
the constitution would not have been adopted by The
southern States and. Of course. that they constituted
elements so essential the system that II never would
have existed without them The northern States, know
ing all this, ratified the constitution, thereby pedgng
their faith, in the most solemn manner, sacredy TO OBJ
pledge redeemed we shall next proceed TO show.
With few exceptions of no great importance the South
had complain prior TO the year lSi9-a year,
il is to be feared destined TO mark train OF events
bringing with them many, and great and fatal disaste
on The country and its institutions. With IT commenced
the agating debate on the question OF The admission OF
Missouri into the Union. We shall pass by Tor the pres
en this question: and others of the kind. directly
growing of it, and SHAH proceed to consier the ef-
fects OF that spirit Of dscod which reused up between
the two sections 1t fret disclosed itself in the Morrill,
IN
vides for the delivering up OF fugitive slaves In Its pro-
gress led to the adoption OF hostile acts, intended TO
render it Of effect and with SO much success that
ii may be regarded practically expunged from the
constitution How this has been cecled Will be next
explained.
Aer careful examination, truth CONSTANTS to say.
that it has been by clear and papable evasion OF the
constitution. 1t is impossible for any provision to be
free from ambiguity doubt 1t is IN the follow
State, under the laws thereof escaping into another
State, SHALL in consequence OF any law or regulation
therein be discharged iron such service labor but
shall be delivered up claim Of The party TO whom such
service or labor may be DUE" All is clear. There is
whole provision. What shsll not be done. and what
former provides that the fugitive slave shall not be dis
charged from his servi,ude BY any law regulation of
the State wherein he is ound and the latter that he
shall be delivered up on claim OF his owner
We do not deem i necessary 10 undertake TO efute the
sophisry and subterfuycs BY which plain provision
of the constitution has been evaded. and, eject an
tona compact. and of OF the supreme law OF the
land As such it is binding all the federal and State
governments, the States aud the individuals composing
Them The sacred obligation of compact and the solemn
injunction OF the supreme law, which legislators and
Judges both federal and State, bound BY oath TO sup
port, all unite To enforce su'lment according TO It's PLAN
meaning and true intent WHAT that meaning and intent
are, there diversity OF opinion in the better days OF
the republic, prior to 1912 Congress. State legislatures
State and federal judges and magistrates, and people, all
spontaneously placed the same Interpretation on it Da'
ring that period nerposed impediments in the way
of the seeking to his fugitive slave; nor
did any deny his right have every proper facility TO en-
nearly easy to recover found in northern State
as one found in neighhoriRg southern Stae. But TINS
has passed away, and the provision is defunct, except
perhaps in Two Statcs.s 5-r
When we take into consideration the importance and
cearness of this provision the evasion by which has
been set aside may fairly be regarded OF the most
fatal blows ever received BY the South and The Union
it has been by two OF the learned judges OF the Supreme
Court of the United States. In of his decision't
Judge Story said: I" Historically il is well known that
the object of this clause 10 10 the citizens OF
the saveholding States the complete right and title OF
ownership in their slaves as property in every State
wherein they were held in servitudc" " The full recos
milton OF this right and title was Indispensable TO the Sc
curly OF This species OF property in all the slavehodhg
States, anu. indeed, vital to the preservation
their interests and instituonS that cannot be doubt
ell that II constituted fundamental article, without Inc
adoption of which the Union would not have been
formed lis true design 10 guard against the doc
trines and principles prevalent in the savehodng
States, by preventing them from intermeddng with, or
restricting, or aboshng the rights OF the owners Oh
slaves"
Again. The clause therefore OF the last import