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

la ts progress has given series of measures
which have been recently multiplied with degree
OF rapidly thai mznifests the Determined purpose and
extraordinary activity of those with whom they orig
nate These all tending to the result
i II earned into execution. think their effect
would be infct INJURY the extent oil which
diticni estimate. the southern States Of the Con
feeracy; unsettle the political relations between the
several United States, these adjusted by the
siution to destroy the fraterna feeling which now
unes firmly than the paper bands OF that instra-
meat and necessarily therefore, To disturb the peace
and harmony OF the Union
Our purpose in making the statement which we pro
pose. Is 20 but rather TO allay The apfenen
sons which existing circumstances are calculated 10
create 10 confront the dangers which threaten 10 disturb
our peace and to avert them G by the blessing OF Cod
may be sol by just temperate. and united connses
conceived and executed in the spirit OF patriotism la
the moment OF apprehended pe the part OF prudence
TO ascertain the nature and extent OF the danger which
threatens with a provide and 10 call into action
of defence. II the body polite is afflicted by
disease true conception OF lis character alone
| bic us to effect ills
troversy and ask to keep mind the fact tina,
listed for length OF time before the constitution
formed; that those who framed that instrument
thoroughly aroused TO the fact OF the existence OF domes
tic slavery several States of the conederscy had well
considered character and OF the deiermi
nation OF those States to continue the use OF slave labor
in the position which they about TO assume
members Of the federal Union The trainers OF the con-
sttuion thoroughly advised of the resolve OF the
would leopard this their peculiar interest," reduce them
because OF the existence OF slavery among them to
inequality with their co States Notwithstanding this,
the controversy introduced into the convention and
formed of its greatest difficulties in framing the consti
tuition After many efforts overcome BY an agree
ment. which provided. in substance
l. That representatives and direct taxes shall he APP
portoned among the States, according their respective
numbers and that in ascerlaining the number OF EACH
five slaves shall be estimated az three;
That slaves escaping into States where slavery does
not exist shall not be discharged fom servude in
sequence of any law regulation of such Stale; but
shall be delivered on claim OF the party to whom their
labor service is due
g. That Congress shall prohibit the importation Of
slaves before the year 1905. but tax Of ten dollars may
be imposed on each one imported;
4. That captation direct tax shall be laid but in
proportion to federal NUMBERS and.
5. That amendment of the constitution, which may
be made prior to 1905, shall affect the last preceding pro-
vision, that relating The importation OF slaves
So satisfactory these provisions the trainers OF
the constitution that the second relating to the delivery
of fugitive slaves adopted unanimously while the
rest except the third relative the importation of slaves
and 10 polong the time from 1909 to 1905 passed with
almost equal uaanimy and even that was sustained BY
the votes OF New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Con-
necticut.
These provisions of the constitution affect the existence
OF slavery in the Union which about TO be formed.
supposed 10 be most exposed They go further they
recognise slavery as an elementary principle OF the con-
stution, regulating influencing the government
ated by II IN the two most important particulars OF rep
reseniaton and taxation. Whoever will examine the
records of the proceedings Of that day. will be perfectly
satisfied that these provisions thus intended to be
tive O! the domestic institutions OF the South indis
pensable the adoption OF the constitution that without
this Union could never have existed The debates Of
the convention show that this perfectly understood
by the representatives from the slaveholdng States
and that with this understanding they ratified the cons
tuition. The act of ratification a solemn pledge for
themselves and in behalf of their constituents, for the
observance OF these spulaons, according their letter
and spirit How far that pledge has been redeemed. is
inquiry not 10 be answered BY denuDciaion OF the
conduct OF any portion OF our countrymen II sim
pie narrative OF events which offer TO consdera
ton, by the perusai of which our fellow citizens in
whatever portion of the Union they may DWELL may de-
eide for themselves the question of IT'S observance or vo
lation
For thirty years after the adoption Of the constitution
serious of complaint to nybody Passing for the
present the pretensons forth, and the agations
aed BY the Missouri controversy we proceed 70 consider
the provision in relation to fugitive slaves it's operation
and the resistance which has been doomed to encounter
That provision is in the following words; mo person
held to service labor in State under the laws
thereof escaping INTO ano&er State shall consequence
of any law regulation therein, be discharged from
such service labor bat shall be delivered sp claim
of the person whom such labor service may be due
This provision is clear. There is not uncertain or
equivocal word 10 be found in it. What shall be and
what shall not be done fully and distinctly set forth
from bis servtde but shall be delivered up the clam
of his This constitutes essential part OF the
constitutional compacts part and parcel Of the supreme
law of the land. As such, binding the federal and
State governments, the Stales. and on all the ind
vduas composing Them The sacred obligation of CON-
pact and the solemn Injunction of the supreme law,
which legislators and judges both federal and State are
bound by oath to support, all unite to enforce a fulfil
men according 10 its plain meaning and Its true intent
AS what that meaning and intent are, there no
diversity of opinion in the earlier days Of the republic
Congress- the State legislatures federal and State judges
and magistrates, all spontaneously placed the same in
depreciation it. During that period. none interp0sed
mpedmenis the way Of the MASTER seeking to recover
his fugitive siave nor did any deny his right TO have
every proper facility for the enforcement Of his claim TO
have him delivered up Ii then almost as easy to
recover one found in a non-savehoding State one
OF things has passed away, and to oil practical pur
poses the provision may be said to be almost deiunct
Now, when take consideration the importance
of this provision and the cIearness with which If il
pressed submit to all those to whom address
selves n-whatever portion of the Union they may dwell
that any OF il alike injurious and unjusthabe
Thsidea cannot be correctly concissy and impress
Supreme Court In the Of Prgy the Commonwealth
of Pennsy Judge Story said Historically tits
known that the object OF this clause TO secure to the
citizens Of the slaveholng States the complete right and
title OF ownership in their slaves, property, in every
State of the Union into which they might escape from
the State wherein they held in servtude The full
recognition OF this right and title was Indispensable 10 The
security of this species OF property all the slavehold
ing States; and indeed, vital to the preservation
cd that constituted fundamental article without the
adoption of which the Union would not have been
formed Its true design was 10 guard against the doc
rnes and principles prevalent the -slavehOldlng
States BY preventing them from intcrneddng with, or
restricting, aboshing the rights Of the owners of the
slaves"
Again: The clause therefore Of the last importance