The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-25
Til L REP u LlC.
Florida and the Union.


The following 10 that portion of the Message of
Governor Brown, to the Legislature of Florida,
touching the slavery question and the Fugitive
Slave Law:
Congress, after unprecedented delay and diff
Guilty, succeeded in adopting plan OF compromise. 4.
Ii not such to meet the just expectations OF
the people Of the States; but considering that II ia
not often incidental to an award fully TO CRAFTY
both either of the parties and that no surrender
of constitutional principle was demanded, we were
disposed To acquesce in this settlement looking that
it should be carried out in hearty good faith by the
other sections of the Confederacy This reasona-
ble expec tation, am led to fear, by recent indica
tions, may be doomed 10 disappointment. The ink
is scarcely dry upon the parchment Of the Compro-
mise before the threat to repeal the bill for the
coyery of fugitives is heard from sources which
leave little 10 doubt that earnest effort is
about to be made in Congress to wipe from the eta
tute book bill whose only office was 10 afford the
people of the non slaveholding States the opportu
nifty to perform, or TO acquiesce in the performance
Of a constitutional duty. Passed as il was by an
actual minority Of the popular branch Of Con-
gress il seems to me little likely to Withstand, in
that body, the storm OF odium which has been
raised against it, unless great and unexpected
change in apparently dominant Northern Opt
nion shall take place. While it affords sincere
qualification to believe that disposition exists with
the Federal Administration and majority OF the
Senate of the United States to maintain the COM
promises of the Constitution, painfully re-
minded that unless the turbid and swollen tide of
ianaticsm be stayed by the people themselves, all
is surer than that this Government must eventu
ally furnish faithful reflection Of the established
opinion of popular majority, and this fact con-
sidered in connexion with the manifestations OF
Northern sentiment upon their obligations under
the Federal compact, jushes a serious concern for
the perpetuity ofthe Union. The repeal or essen
tial modification of the law for the recovery of fu
gitive slaves will, in my Judgment, be tantamount
10 a formal record and notification of the unwill
ingness Of our Northern brethren longer to abide
by the Constitution of the United States Ii is not
seriously contended that this law Is abuse, or vi
olative of any constitutional right. The only ra-
| tonal objection which can be urged against 1t IS
that it is likely to accomplish, with some degree OF
efficacy, the object for which II was enacted-tbe
restoration of fugitive slaves to their rghtful
ers. Without constitutional provision stringent
| ly enforcing this duty, and fully securing this
right, il is matter Of historical truth that the
| Union could never have been formed; and equally
true it is that the Union cannot endure practical
repudation OF this plain constitutional right and
| duty in the repeal emancipation of law de-
signed to secure and enforce it, Ii is idle TO con-
| tend that this cry Of repeal amendment has any
foundation in the provisions of the law except in so
far they harmonize and cooperate with the pro-
visions of the Constitution. lts repeal therefore, is
| a practical repudiation of that instrument.
| .'Such event would leave no alternative,
compatible with ma atonal unity for 1t seems To me
| there be reason lgDomlnious as that
which should acquiesce in violated Constitution
none more fatal to the cause of civil liberty
| throughout the world none more ruinous In ITS
ultimate consequences to ourselves and posterity.
Should the General Assembly concur with me, as
| the next regular session will not take place until
1852 invite you, if you think proper, to authorize
the Executive, by law resolution, in the event o
the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Bill, the con-
summation of any other aggressive measure, at his
| discretion to proclaim and convoke Convention
| of the people of this State, al such time as may
comport with harmonious action with our sister
States of the South, for the purpose of devising
remedy. 1t is with ine1presible pain that The
| General Assembly and Executive must contem
plate any contingency imperi1ing the stability o
| a Government which has, in general, 80 well anc
40 wisely discharged its goat functions, anC
which. like some proud monument tottering TO i'll
fall, seems to inspire deeper sense OF grandeur
while il menaees our safety, T. call forth a NOR,
poignant sympathy and vv< recollection of th,
many grateful and hallowed associations which
cluster around it. can only edd the hope that
kind Providence, which watched over our natura
infancy. and averted many perlls, may yet cx
| tend protecting arm, and tave us from the ca
| lamitics Of disunion.
THOMAS BROWN"