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

| as well in reference to the security OF those in whom
the duty imposed, IN regard 10 the security
the execution OF that power The State OF Connecticut
passed law for the purpose OF carrying effect
her obligations, she understood them, the conslitu
ton of the United States, containing provisions which
were deemed Just, well IN reference to the OF
the people OF the savehodng States the czens of
the State OF Connecticut Alter the passage of that law
ted States and il there decided Contrary 10 the pre-
yaiing impression OF the North that the duty imposed by
the constitution was duty imposed not upon the State
governments, but upon the government OF the United
States that the duty of Congress- and the
duty of Congress- to make all needful regulations for the
purpose OF carrying into effect that clause OF the constitution
OF the United States Yet sir after this opinion OF the SD
preme Court OF the United States seemed that the State
Legislature was wrong upon the subject; that il IN
erierng with the duty pertaining exclusively TO the
legislature of the government of the United States The
legislature of Connecticut repealed the law before exist
ing upon the statute book for the performance OF this
duty as State duty; and she went further sir
rate OF State having an exclusive jurisdiction in Con-
nectlcut only to the amount of ~ co. power deciding
IN iact upon the grea. question OF personal
the mag istrates OF Connecticut were not seecedtha
State, sir deemed duty only repeal the law by
which she had provded adequate and proper tribunal
for the purpose Of fulfilling what she had before supposed
TO be duty in this behalf. but also passed law forbid
ding those magistrates from exercising the admitted
that the repeal of that law was due to the rights OF
the colored inhabitants of the people of Connecticut
They felt that they ought not to be exposed, to have
their liberty taken from them by the certificate of the
magistrate to whom the laws OF State OF Connecticut
admitted jurisdiction in the minor transactions between
man and man to the amount only of seven dollars They
felt that the magistrates OF State clothed with authority
Tor such purpose and fulhmen OF the duties and office
ntrusted to them ought not to be permitted 40 the per-
Torrance OF this duty which is conferred upon them by
an act of Congress- duty for which they were not
placed, by the State, in that office
Mr. DOWNS proposed an inquiry bat both the inquiry
and reply were lnaudibe to the reporter
Mr. BlJlII | IL 4 ptactlv az | stated
but the purport of the law is the take it for
granted from what know of the old times of good faith
under that Article of the constitution and under the OF
sion Of fugitive slaves Many States have had such
laws. but they have all been repealed.
. Mr. DOWNS do not intend to urge this question.
say expressly that the laws of this State literally
to the point OF rendering null the provision OF the
stution. see nothing in the instances mentioned
by the senator to change that view. 1t is the
OF Michigan; that is something not in violation of the
constitution The senator from Michigan MI. FELcHl
has given an explanation. showing that the opposition
the execution of such laws not great some OF
us supposed it was. am very glad to hear that, and
hope shall hear similar things from several other quar-
ers
While upon this subject think is very proper that
that gentleman, and all others, should understand how
deep the impression OF the South is would ask him if
is not well known that at Detroit and other places
the boundary, there persons, white or black do
not know which-w no make it their business 70 as
SYST runaway slaves in getting Oft to Canada; and if
is not almost daily occurrence for them to be
veyed across the Canada line That itself is in viola
ton. consider it, of the constitution, and is making
null its provisions.
Now. the senator from New York says that the court
OF New York entertain application OF this kind.
think there something anclul in the processes OF this
character The result is that the negroes gone show
ing that there disposition the part OF the North to
violate the provisions OF the constitution. Now |
think it was understood this provision of the constu-
ton clear, and extended far that the
master of the slave in the free State had right
ercise this power OF recapturng his slave. | remind
ed that the Supreme Court recently decided that
necessary for the State make provision that the cti
OF slave States had right to arrest his slave just
in his own State
Gentlemen have mentioned some instances where
courts have entertained the subject, and verdict is
rendered | ask to be shown an instance where pur-
suit has been successful. myself know of none.
| know the feeling of the South is such, that when
slave works his way into the free States,
he is regarded as lost altogether. remember in
stance which occurred last summer A gentleman OF
New Orleans travelling with servant and landed at
Buffalo When he landed he was surrounded by party
OF those who are constantly seducing away SER
from their and the servant was taken away
against his wish, and kept OF the view of his
SO strong the wish Of the slave that he wrote
to his master that he wanted to come back, but they
would not let him. The master told that the law
authorized process, but that if he obtained one,
motion would take places and therefore he was advised
not to get out process, because mob law would prevent
him from deriving any benefit from it,
Well, Mr. President there is another point to which
wish to advert The gentleman to Intimate that
this question OF slavery not to be fought between the
the South who will rise and sustain the position assumed
by the honorable gentleman on the subject. | wish to
tell that gentleman that perhaps he knows about
the South than | do But il he calculates upon any
such assistance, he is reckoning without his host
Does the gentleman pretend TO hold out the idea
that there is a single man in the South that jus
titles these outrages upon that provision of the
constitution THAT there man there who sustains
the doctrine that this territory may be distributed for the
exclusive benefit of one section Of the Union' Has he
found there who will sanction the abolition
of slavery the District? If he does rely upon that
tell him he is reckoning without his host II ques-
ton of extent ony and there is not at the South
but who stands shoulder to shoulder and considers north
aggression a serious Impeachment of the consu-
ton, and endangerng it. Therefore take the position
which have sustained perfectly made out-hat the
provisions OF the constitution in effect annued at the
north.
Mr.. METCALFE The debate on this subject has re-
Gentlemen have asked, where wiI>kentucky go, if
this Union is dissolved! VIII she unite with the South
will she unite with the NORTH confess, sir, that
| have had some difficulty in my mind in deciding this
question: but have settled down in this concusion-tha
Kentucky will neither unite with the South nor with
former occasion what believed to be the feelings
of Kentucky, regards that great question Kentucky
will unite with the North with hold too strong to be
sundered while, the other hand she will grasp with
equal hrmness the hands OF her southern brethren.
Mr.. President, concur with the senator from Connec
ticut, [Mr NILEs,] when he says that this Union
never stronger than 1t is nowtha the great interests OF
the Union strongly bound together than
they are at present and sir, those individuals that
instrumental in the destruction of this Union will occupy
the darkest page in The history OF the world confess that
often regret to hear limitations of any thing like disco
luton OF this Union, especially at time like this, when
thrones are totterng from beneath and the monarches
COnfpdpracv as "A rcsp Hpui