The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-30


every part oi the Unon requires additional Legislation
give fu force and practical effect When the Union
was formed this provision constituted sine qua non
they never would have Become pa parties to the compact il
was supposed TO guaranty the recapture OF slaves, in
every nonslaseholdng State with the facility that
they could berecapured in the slave States and is z.
obligatory as any other part OF the constitution But
has that ustxpeciaton been realzedi Has the South
been enabled to reclaim her fugitive slaves Has this
clause Of the compact been observed and carried out -
good faith We all know the contrary. We know II
has been nuhhed in thousands OF instances by northern
citizens, and the provision has become almost wholly
nugaiory y Is with the utmost difficulty fugitive
slave can be reclaimed after having once escaped into
a non -slaveholding State. Combinations and mobs
are formed 70 prevent the Tecapurs. Fraud, artlce,
and force Of ms are resoed to. in order 70 defsa the
consttution3 rights OF the saveholders Even judges
Of courts andsworn officers OF the law, as well AZ state
governments, have inerposed obstacles TO prevent the
ecanations Living in border State. have occasion
10 know hy Rd experience the serious injuries growing
out OF disregard oil this provision OF the constitution
My neghbors, and friends and constituents, have suf
iered immense losses from such abolition depredations
II is time the necessary remedy was applied. II is time
The spirit Of the compact rgidy enforced, and that
protection 10 southern properly afforded which was 0rig
nay designed southern citizen cannot travel North
with his servant on pleasure, business, or even 10
discharge his official duty member Of Congress with
out losing his property, or avoid il with the utmost dni
Guilty. friend OF mine. under such circumstances had
his stolen from him. and off, in utter disre
gard OF the constitution; and yet these are the men and
er ades and dbefors tho have the audacty to charge
the South with dsunen, while they have already abro-
gated one OF the solemn articles OF the compact and de-
soyed that important safeguard to protect southern prop
erty
The necessary remedyo correct the evil and give ef
fciency TO the constution--is OF twotod character
FIRST Congress should pass stringent law, providing all
the requisite facilities for the apprehension and delivery
OF fugitive slaves, and making highly penal TOR any
person, in any manner, ohsct interrupt the due
execution Of its provisions, with proper punishment for
aiding and encouraging the escape OF slaves law OF
that description il demanded by the public interests and
from present appearances believe there disposition
in Congress pass it, bill for that purpose s now
pending branch of Congress- and trust will soon
become the law Of the land But something more should
uon should see that the bond Of union duly observed
within their limits They should, therefore, pass the me-
cessary laws to suppress these combinations and efforts
prevent the recaure Of fugitive slaves There should
be hearty cooperation this subject between all the
members OF the Union II these things were done the
constitution would be- its trainers intended IT, shield
and protection TO private rights and private property and
in this connexon IL is proper remark that do not wish
10 be understoo charging every northern citizen with
violating the constitution on this subject-by no meas
know there many high minded noble hearted, and
patriotic citizens in the non sayehoding States, who ac
knowledge the obligation OF the constitution, condemn
the abolition Efforts and render paiseworhy assistance
TO master in pursuit OF his runaway slave. am sorry
that this commendabe class is not more numerous. But
there another Glass; much larger than the forme who
though they would not be guilty OF kidnapping, yet will
do nothing to prevent it, and will give "aid and comforr
to the fugitive And there is still another class, more
powerful in their action than all others combined, who
will resort TO any and every means TO steal secree, and
makers who have done SO much harm to the slaves, to
the masters and to the whole country And am sorry
10 add that their power and influence are such as to exert
the solemn compact OF the consututonthe certain pre-
ceps OF positive lawthe sacred rights o private proper
tythe holy tenets of Chrstianity-all dsregarded
aud swept away by the fell spirit Of fanacism And yet
sange 10 tell they are couried and caressed by political
parsans and aspiring demagogues, until their power has
become formidable and hence has resulted the serious
and crying evils Of which we so justly complain
But the passage Of the laws have Indicated II faith.
fully executed will, hope, this grievance, and
enable US TO glide on smoothly and harmon'ously, as
brethren OF the same government owing allegiance to the
Thus far in the adjustment Of the subject positive
lion is required TO do justice to the country and to pacy
the elements OF dscord For the other branches
OF the subject, negative action is necessaryin other
words settled and fixed understanding, that no efforts
shall be made by Congress to abolish slavery in the District
Of Columbia orin any fort o. other properly belonging 70
rupt the passage oil slaves from one State TO another
This is demanded quiet The apprehensons OF the South
and to give assurances 81 security and peace FOR ns
effect be passed by Congress and approved BY the Pres
dent Being part OF the general plan Of compromise, i
will have degree Of sancy thrown arc around !, winch ;a
II is true, such resolution would not be respected BY
those who disregard the constitution bgoted fanatics
would rail against and seek to destroy IT. as hey now 90
their fundamental law but the great body OF the people
would regard the fixed purpose Of the government,
determined on in the spirit OF cliaton, TO aay the
fears OF the South aud gradually northern sentiment
would mould itself in conformity with this settled pur-
pose
Ours ia government OF limited and specified powers,
but its practical administration depends upon the popular
will Whaeve therefore, can influence the public will.
and settle il down upon just appreciation OF constitu-
uona obligation, OF the utmost importance 10 the states
man who seeks hts counrys good. The deliberate de.
claraon of the government made on this subject in con-
nexion with the adjustment OF the whole controversy, to
the Union from the startling dangers that surround
H. will go forth TO the country in imposing aspect and
exert an irresistible influence on the intelligent mind
northern masses will discounenance the wicked ncen-
diary; the southern citizen will feel secure under the
protection oil the constitution. Peace will spread
as MANTLE the kindly feelings Of the human heart will
be called into lively exercise and broheIly lore will
unite together closer aud closer In perpetual bonds o
mutual interest and fratefnal regard.
| Mr. Chairman these brief hints and suggestions are
amicabe compromise. That which | have proposed ia
reasonable and just and suited to the present distracted
condition OF the country IL will iDhct injuries upon
the North, and will calm the troubled mind OF the
South. The whole question will be disposed OF, and
bone OF contention left 10 disturb peace and excite
one section OF the Union against another For these
reasons am anxious to see this plan adopted but am
ready and willing to support any other mode OF adjust
ment which may be more acceptable to all parties and
better calculated to promote the ends OF justice and pre-
serve the equal rights Of the members Of this confede
rated Union Indeed so far as the territorial branch o
the question is concerned the Missouri compromise is
the proposition would prefer had my choice Bu
concessions necessary 10 effect complete settle
mentas the State of Missouri has twice instructed IN
favor OF snd with the hope and expectation Of bring
ing the North and South TO ground, and silence
fhe IN in lfncf IN am