Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-21

consideration IMAM 10 aacned TO II IN other sections although
in oil the sections there is class Of people, whom profess
70 be one, who have always regarded the existence Of THU
slave trade here with regret If we refuse them to pass thin
bill under these circumstances and our Northern friends re-
turn home and are INTERCEPTED the subectthe fugitive
bill passed. all the other measures passed how does Il
that the which have heretofore more anxously
desired than almost any other thing connected with the sub
ject was defeated t-what will be the answer They will
have to be told that defeated by bringing in sub
ecs which the public attention had not been directed and
TO which the attention Of the Senate directed until
brought forward by the Senator from Maryland. These
two subjects have been connected with this BILL and the
sequence Of that connexon appehend either in this house
or the other, will be the defeat Of the bill.
Now have objection as have repeatedly stated the
principle Of the amendments increasing the penalty for
cng away slaves but have objection the provisions
they stand. have repeatedly remarked that if
allowed now to this BILL which has been the SUBJ
of attention and much deberaon throughout the
session. J. for one, will willingly in framing bill on
the subject Of the encement Of slaves from the District
most proper Now, the Senator from North Ca
rona aware for fifty years there has been no complaint
about the nsdequacy Of the law prevent the encement
slaves until the Of the of Chaplin within
few weeks past and he will allow say that is not
ways wise legislation to act precpaey after
which is calculated to excite irritation and produce much feel
ing throughout the country For fifty years there has been
no complaint this subject until within the last few years.
from the residents Of this District and ask the
subject lie until the next session. be intro
duced in separate b-that separation leading, verify
believe Doth while both
will be endangered by their connexion together
Now, sir to look little into the details Of this amend
ment There two provisions. The first relating the
enicng away Of slaves follows That if any free per-
persons black white, within the District of Colum-
ba shall entce induce attempt by persuasion other
means entce induce any slave slaves away
from his her, their lawful possessor shall in
any aid abet assist any slave slaves
ming away escaping from the lawful possessor Of
such slave slaves shall harbor any slave slaves with
fhprt tn
vice Of such owner possesso such person persons shall
be liable to punishment in the penentiay for less than
two more than ten years.
The first penal offence denounced by the bill is the encng
attempting to persuade, without consummation of the
crime because oil these attempts may be resisted by the slave
and he remain in possession of the owner and crime be
committed whatever admit that any attempt entce
persuade slave away from bis is improper and
ought to be punished but certainly not punished in the
measure is inflicted the who aids assists abets
the runaway who after his escape harbors and conceas
him from his master Yet all these offences are blended
gehe in this proposition and all subject the persons guilty
Of them to punishment in the pentenary for not less than
two nor more than ten years.
Now, to the fact of persuadng slave, is susceptible
Of much loose proof Why, slave may be by man,
and, while talking together the may say careessy and
not with any intention, why do not you leave your MASTER
why do not you 60 away somewhere else and that before
jury may be considered attempt to persuade him to
run away, and subject the penalty of not less than
two more than ten years imprisonment 1t is subject
]
penal law in the world about which there has been SO much
soicude manifested within the last half century the pro-
Poronng OF the penalty punishment to the crime accord
to Its nature and not anscendng the punishment above
the degree Of the crime, for the effect we all know Of
eme harsh and cruel punshments prevent punish
ment being inflicted from the reluctance which ures feel
inficting such punishments
The other proposition-and do not mean to dwell upon
the subec-reates to free people Of color The number has
increased largely increased and something ought be done
in regard to it but whatever should be done should be
fully done, and in spirit of justice and humanity towards
this unfortunate class has been asked, suppose they
expelled from the District in consequences of the increase of
their number, what will become of them Where they
to 60 There many of the free States well slave
States, who prohibit their entry into them. And is pos
sbe that Congress- at the heel Of the session. by introducing
these new subjects and attaching them to bill well con-
sdered and long before u.s. will sanction the expulsion, BY
force necessary, Of these human beings these free people of
color from residence within the District, without making
provision for asylum for them any where else earth
could not, consistently with my feelings, vote under such
circumstances for proposition harsh, destitute Of any
provision for the persons thus to be expelled by power from
the place of their abode. All mean to say this admit
the evil, and admit there ought to be remedy applied,
but think the remedy whatever it u.s. should be carefully and
deliberately considered and not adopted until gentlemen
satisfied with it perfectly Whether it be, as hope it may,
with the consent Of the coored send him Liberia,
some other place, provision Of the kind ought to be
made.
Without dwelling further on this subject will but repeat
the expression Of the hope that these amendments will be
agreed to In the Senate, and that may pass this bill
reported And if the Senator from North Carolina,
any body else either during this the session Of
Congress- chooses to introduce bill providing for the other
two subjects which contained in the amendment SHALL
am here, cordially cooperate with them and endeavor
adopt such provisions and such punshmens required
for the offences it is desired TO do think any
such conclusion the Senator from North Caolioa has
drawn properly deducbe from the refusal Of the Senate
to agree with the amendments Certainly, after such
usa imagine that have any objection to the
principle of the amendments only apprehensve that
their retention would the defeat of the BILL in this
the other House, and Northern friends perhaps would
have repoach after having consented to the
passage Of all the other measures if should refuse
act to which, perhaps, they attach the most Importance
Mr. BENTON. When this amendment was under con-
sdeation, when the bill before the Senate in Com
mitee of the Whole, voted for it but the time that
have since lost in debating it, makes wish that had
voted that way, and have say that shall not
with my vote when the bill under consideration
in Committee Of the Whole should be willing to sus-
tain such proposition if brought in by ITSELF and
separate measure, but shall not for it in conjunction
with this bill wish to this subject disposed Of to-day
1t is said that the penalty present hundred dollars
That is the penalty but is not the end Of the punishment
The party who takes away slave is liable action for dam
ages much in this in taking away any other kind
property, and damages Of this measured by the
value Of the thing taken away but usually what called
vndctve Damages. Besides sir if there any violence,
the law takes hold of that SHALL therefore, be against all
amendments of the bill am for passing il as it came from
the committee which reported it.
Mr.. EWING. have been very DESTROYS that this bill
should pass in the form in which it from the committee
originally In order that may pass and in form to meet
my appreciation, have voted against amendment and
shall against the other shall endeavor to clear the bill
Of every thing that tends its symmetry at ALL as to