The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-29

found Friends subject 10 the frailty OF desiring 10
haconne conspicuous or 10 the influence OF false
sentimentality or borne away into an atmospheae
Pickering between hight ana darkness' Iy Ie o
of the trsnscenden philosophy But that Is NOT
malady of the great body. They remain OF souh9
and disposing minds and memories ! aui Hisiso
by authority which ought not TO misiead' II IL DC
not true that that great body approves the sehu-
ments 10 which have given utterance on the hoor
Between Kentucky and Ohio complaints have
arisen occasionally the subject oil might've Slaves
hut by no means To the extent which has been rep
resented by the Abolition societies. Shareholders
in Kentucky complain of the difficulties which
they encounter in retaining fugiuves; and the
people of Ohio complain, not OF the execution OF
the act Of Congress- and reclamations under II, but
of the conduct of aveholders in coming into the
State, taking and carrying back their slaves by
force, and without legal process. The State OF Ohio
has had the discretion not TO prohibit her ofhcers
and magistrates from performing the duties en-
Joined on them by the act Of Congress. such du-
ties they perform when occasion requires; YET as
they may be prohibited by the legislature, and as
the Supreme Court has decided that 1t Is IN the
power Of Congress to make complete provision, by
law for the whole subject and 10 give the power oil
executing such law to officers Of the United statesi
and as the prohibitory acts OF some OF me states
make appropriate and suitable law oil the onlted
States Indispensable, such law, II passed, would OF
course be general, and would comprehend ONO
with other States.
The act of 1893 gives right OF action to the
owner Of a fugitive slave against any person who
rhall harbor or conceal him. Such actions have
been brought in Ohio, and have heard an eminent
judicial authority say, that he has found no more
obstruction to the of Judicial proceedings in
these cases than in others. Ohio Jurles try them
with as much impartiallty and calmness as they
try other causes
Gentlemen, from what know of the subject, and
Of the public men, and the people OF those two
States fully believe, that. if left entirely to them,
q law might be passed, perfectly satisfactory 10
hOdv those whose business a.
ton, and whose objects are any thing but the pro-
motion Of peace, harmony, patriotic good will, and
the love of UNION among the people of the United
States.
And now gentlemen does not every sober minded
and patriotic the necessity, and feel the
duty of rebuking that spirit of faction and dis.
union that spirit of dscord and of elimination and
recrimination, that spirit that loves angry contro-
versy, and loves it, most especially when evils are
imaginary, and dangers unreal, which has been so
actively employed in doing mischief and which,
il is 10 be lamented, has received countenance
and encouragement III quarters whence better
things were looked for!
We are now the close of the sixth month OF
the session OF Congress. What important measure
has been adopted for the advancement OF the great
interests of the country?
For one, hardly dare expect any progress IN
useful legislation, until spirit shall prevail, both
in Congress and the country, which shall look
TO things important and real, and less 10 things
ideal and abstract That there serious difficult
ties in our present condition. growing out OF the ac-
QUESTION of territories is certainly true These
difficulties were forescen and foretold An honest
and earnest effort was made to avoid and avert
them. They now upon US. But we CAN over
come them, and still remain prosperous, happy,
and UNITED people, if prudence and Cancellation
shall animate our public councils, and spirit Of
forbearance, moderation, and harmony spread over
the land.
lam, gentlemen, with entire regard, your obliged
~ S ~ DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Hon. EDWARD S. RAND,
Hon w. B. BASIsrER,
Rev. DIR. DANA,
S. w. MARsToN, ESQ,
And others, sgners to the letter Of April g.