The republic., 1850-11-30
No. IA.

ana occare tnelr deter mnaton TO support the Con-
s0tution and the supremacy ofthe law. lApplausc
SAMUEL ID. BaADFoRD, Esq, of Roxbury, made q
short speech He would not attempt a constitu-
tional argument, but would glance at the great
questions before Although Democrat, he
had not come here Democrat but as an Ameri-
can citizen, to join with others in support of the
Law, Constitution, and the Union. 1t could be no
ordinary occasion which brought together this
meeting, 1t reminded one of former times, when
during the war with Great Britain, when her ships
were upon our coast, the people accustomed to
come up here to take counsel together. Now we have
no foreign enemy, but we have what is worse, an
enemy within. The country is prosperous at
home, source ofcnvy abroad. But, strangeto say /.
we have those within US who would destroy the
Union to which we owe all our blessings. And why?
Because the Constitution contains an article op-
posed to the provisions of that "higher law -
which forbids the return of a slave to his master
We lived under this obnoxious provision for fifty
seven years Where have these fanatics been liv-
ing during all this time? If they will compare the
new law with that of l793 they will find it only "a
recognition of an old one. II was not passed hasti
ly. II was discussed in the Senate for three long
summer days, and supported by the soundest and
wisest men Of the nation In the whole of the weak
opposition to the bill, lin the language Of
Mr. Clay) denied that fugitive slave ought to be
returned. Who believes that those who passed this
law believed that il was not constitutional? The
law of 1898 had been decided by Marshal, Story,
and Taney. As to the bill of the last session. Mr..
w ebster has not only declared it to be constitu
tional, but has added that he has not heard any
said that it was otherwise.
THE name of Mr.. Webster was greeted with
loud and long continued chesSipg.l
Another obectionis, that it gainst the "higher
law, )" which seems now to mean nothing but
pudiaton, notification, or abolitionism But may
not a law be too high? He remembered tall CO
umn in the city OF Florence, which was surmounted
by figure Of Justice with her scales, of which
some one remarked, that "Justice was 30 high in
Florence that no one could reach her." These
people seem to have set their "law" 30 high that
it overtopped the Constitution, and overtopped
reason itself.
But what must we do in this respect We can
not expect the South to remain in the Union with
out this law; and we must carry it into effect
peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must lion our
own soil We cannot protect the honor of Massachu-
sets, we may recoect the course of General Jack
son in lS33-a course supported both by Wings
and Democrats-and repeat his memorable words,
"the Union, it must be preserved
Mr.. Bradford closed with an eloquent appeal for
peace and union.
Mr.. CHoATE, being loudly called for, then stepped
up on to the platform, and was received with three
cheers three times repeated. He addressed the au
diencc substantially as follows:
feel very sensibly, Mr.. President and fellow
citizens, that have need and right to attempt
to add word to the resolutions which are before
you, and to the brilliant and powerful oratory by
which they have been explained and enforced. II
seems TO me, that all which designed to say, or
solutions has been already better said by those who
have gone before me- But you will pardon me for
OBTAINING you only few moments, in saying that
would have it Impressed on the gravest and most
profound consideration of this meeting--so amply
representing the sobrety and patriotism of Boston
and its vicinity-that we have now reached point
OF vast Importance in our national well being.
The gentlemen who have already spoken to you
have outrun altogether, and the spirit Of this
meeting has also outrun me altogether. But have
felt and have thought-may not say that We all
have thought-that the perils with which we seem
to be environed require that an effort should be
made, and made ut once, to turn mems thoughts
away from those things which concern only this
part the other part OF the country to those other
and greater things which concern the whole Of our
American Union. To discard the small politics OF
q neighborhood or n State, to throw aside all con
siderations which array set Of neighbors gainst
another-for such other considerations affect the
whole people-as tend to bind the whole nation to-
gether in bonds OF love and brotherhood-for those
uster and wiser and better feelings that would turn
us from the love Of Judah only, TO the love of all
IsrAel-from the indulgence of local preference to
the single sentiment OF justcc and right 10 the
whole country.
would invoke that sentiment Of justice-t re-
gard for right, which am persuaded all the more
sober and practical feeling OF this people
which teaches to extend justice to the master
even while sympathizing with the slave-which
makes every duty, as well every feeling of pity,
TO be held sacred-which teaches us all to regard
justice, even while feel that the Ia xury of tear
is sweet. would invoke this feeling, this regard
for justice, to turn mems eyes from the glare nd
dazzle Of modern philanthropy (for they call IL
philanthropy, believe) THAT philanthropy which
can find only the vilest and most abusive language
to apply to all feelings, all sentiments all princ-
ples which revolt from the violation OF a solemn
compact-to turn their eyes from this false light To
the glory of the upper sky-thc inefIabe eGulgence
which gilds the name Of Washin gton, and Of those
other great men who brought these United States
together at the first To forsake the false and peri
lous guidance OF these igni' foisii which lead but
into morass, for the pure lights which brighten
the sky, and which-and which alone-scrved as
guides for Washington and his immortal com
peers.
This assembly, sir, as have said. far outruns
my warmes, feelings and my most considered
thoughts. What, then. remains for me but to con-
gratulate my fellow citizens such demonstra-
ton as we are now privileged to bcbold9 Yet !
know that they will pardon me for giving utter
TO a thought or two which has entered my
mind.
And let me say, Mr.. President, and fellow -citi-
zens that deem this Union to be in extreme peril
this day. know that great many wise and good
mcn-and great many men who neither wise
good-bold all alarm on this subject TO be
wholly unfoundcd. They say that, however people
here there may talk Of disunon there is no dan
ger Of any such thing; that the people of the South
cannot afford, or, if they could afford have not the
power To bring sbouteny such result. Bot, gentle
men, too much precaution is better than little.
and II s far better to be laughed at for too much
carefulncss If we must be laughed at at all, than
hold the Union 70 be in great peril now.
know very we'll, fellow. citizens, that within the
last few months the Union has successfully passed
through great peril, and thank God that il has
done so-a peril which will make the future histo-
rian Of America pause in terror he sits down 70
record it-a peril the story Of which would seem
TO change the sobriety OF historic style for the Wild
cot pictures OF imagination. That danger s passed
for the present, and msy bless God that IL is 80.
All honor and praise to the great men of every par
ty-to Cass, and Foote, and Dickinson, and Clay,
and Webster, tremendous cheers, y who coptribut-
cd to settle the diitculty-who rose up to the
ture OF true grcatncsswho coun ted not the tempo
rary sweets of popularity, and who remembered,
that day, that they had country TO preserve a.
well as constituents TO crafty.
know very well, fellow citizens, that the Union
has passed through that period OF great danger
That night IA over, and that peril s passed. But il
is still night, and there is sti peril We see the
white foam ON the breakers under the lee bow to
wards which the ship is driven, and which il will
require the utmost combined effort TO cscapc.
Though know that tho hearts Of the people are
sound-tbough the general judgment of the people
ia sound-yet coniees that I am afraid, afraid ol
the philanthropy, 90 called. which is now in vogue
the philanthropy which, on the stump, in the pull
pit, and through the prcss, would talk and write
the people OF this country out Of their regard for
the Union. Yea, fear these efIprts I E-sr that