The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-27

But, Congress mas OF compelling the States
to perform this duty, which good faith 10 the constitution
would enjon il becomes mperavey the DUTY of Congress
10 do all lean What Il do, The bill under eonsdera
such as NAV give some aid to the slave owner provided its
provisions are carried out in good faith BY the federal
agents enumerated in IT, They derive their appointment
we can require them to do all such duties as may be
imposed upon them and they are only the duties which
all citizens should perform who owe allegiance to the
constitution.
far as il regards the employment of federal officers Ii
has nothing to do with State officers
shall not trouble the Senate by enumefating the Off
GERS upon whom this bill deyoyes duties These duties
are smpe-simply 10 give passport to an owner OF
slave to carry him out of the State when required
when the slave brought before him II is giving the
owner the benefit of federal passport from one OF its
officers to secure an acknowledged right The bill re.
qares all federal officers to hear. determine, and give
pds ri anu ny more !. = -
M. ~ =, oanno e;y s, !,
is all we can give him.
There is clause which raises the penalty contained
IN the act OF l793makng the penalty 81 000 in lieu OF
$500
| do not know how far this may be made available.
Il may give owner an opportunity 10 offer higher
fee to lawyeTone half all to recover the slave,
and TO indemnify him for his expenses.
This bill, Ike all others OF kindred character,
depends on the action OF a fixed majority-a ma.
joriiy that has been made through the relation of
constituent and representative The popular Ian
guage of the day is that it is through an intelligent
anu Watcnul constituency nat we are 10 nave safe ana
responsible representation, and that the wholesome OPP
eatons OF this government are to be maintained through
this influence, in other words, through the ballot box
What fallacy II is no exaggeraton when say, it
has been the ballot box which has in some measure
produced the mischefs which have supposed could
be removed through it. 1t has been through the ballot
box thai the sections have been arrayed against each
other. Mr.. President, il s worse than Pandoras box
for there hope at the bottom OF that but there
hope in this. You have majority in the North. This
majority is destined to increase; YES sir it is destined
YOu have hiph onsih tv md N
you as majority
Sir George Mason one Of the wisest one Of the most
gina Bred" that deberated in the councils
of his tme has uttered language almost prophetic which
will ask the Clerk to read:
" If the government lasting it must be founded In
the confidence Affections Of the people, and must be
constructed obtain these The niojony viii be gov
erned by their interests The southern stetes are the M
se a,s % ooana hand ana loot :, me eastern
we'll on cer,aim occasion ,h Ira b,h dHs1ed hen,
into our hands V~Tide bh rai EWot,s DEBATES p 100
men we relied upon maority we rested noon ' some
thing worse than weak staff to sustain us II was that
we were resting on a dangerous and selfish support
upon broken reed that would acerate The hand that
rested upon n He wanted stronger and more certain
guaranty for the weaker pary-or. would saw the mi
noriiy provision was in The constitution, whilst under
consideration two-fhirds To carry oui certain
measures particularly affecting commerce and
navigation
But the South, under compromise-oh! tina, word
compromise il has ruined conlidng people il has
been proposed by craft and adopted by Generosity il has
subseryed the ends of one party and The marty that
suited its interests and has been used not as shield
but as sword or serpent To strife or bte the Thai
submitted to il in confding honestythe South gave M
the entire control of her commerce Tor limited right 10
supply herself with slave power 10 certain period
This Concession has been fatal II has been the conf
dence of uncacuatine fairness on nstce and magnanm
ity Justice and magnanmty, What securities do thew
offer! The securities of morality founded in casustry
IN hypocrisy and practical exhibitions of sel6sh regard
TO sectional interest When The South was in nosition
she did all this She gave 10 the North the entire right
OF navigation right that has been like DRAIN cut TO
take of the waters OF one place to another-a drain that
has been running from one section and forcing out its
waters on another-a channel of exhaustion to one and
of plethora TO the other-a plethora that is likely 10 dis
ease the circulation of this beautiful system as came
from the hands of it's makers
When the southern States had their fair share of power
in this confedeacy did they abuse III What instance
be pointed out OF their violating an honorable engage
encroachment and aggression when they had the power to
do 30 their reproach will be that they have made bond
and have had to pay its penalties or TO change the ex
preston they have made covenant and have observed
their part without the power of compelling the other
party to observe the obligations incurred on their part
The reply to complaint is, that majority must govern
proposition that involves in an unlimited power
power 10 consrue and power to enforce the constitution
WE'LL sir the power OF majority exists How il will
be used is to be determined IL carries with il its power
and ought to have associated with il its responsibilities
These responsibilities are OF grave and momentous char
acter The influence that may be exerted may like all
unresraned Influences carry with il its own destruction
Quem Deus vut psrdere, pris dementat" This power