The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-04-18
HALE's sPE.,CH-ARREsT OF FUGITIvEs.
for Congress.

from his speech in reply TO Messrs. Calhoun and
Webster-upon the infamous bill for the arrest OF
fugtiyes slaves which Mr. Webster has promised to
vote for. Let the people read and learn to what
uses their tratorous Senator would compel them, if
he could. Eight hundred men, of Boston, have ex-
hbited their satisfaction with the provisions of the
BILL and we do not question their sincerity for their
signatures to the serf letter of thanks to Mr. Web
ster, is ample proof of their disposition and fitness to
become the pimps and negro-catchers of Southern
masters.
| have stated on another occasion what are my
objections to the bill before the Senate. They are,
that while it recognizes slavery, it recognizes moth
ing else but slavery This bill is not framed with
reference TO negroes it is framed with reference to
anybody and everybody, and proceeds on the as
sumption that the man who is seized in free State
is of course slave. Now, the presumption of the
law in the State where | live, where slavery is
recognized by law, is, that every there is free
man, both in the technical and political sense of the
word. But this bill, with the amendment attached
10 it, with its afhdavits taken thousand miles off,
behind his back, supposes that the seized is
slave; and it passes over and entirely forgets one
provision of the constitution, which is, that per-
son shall be seized without due process Of law. But
gentlemen argue as if the person seized must of ne
cessity be slave, and the bill supposes and recog-
nizes him as a slave. Then we are told it will be
impossible to carry out the provisions of the Consti
tuition unless some bill of this sort passed. Let us
suppose an individual living in New Hampshire from
his birth, is seized slaves the thing has occur
ed of the seizure Of individual not many years ago,
who drew every breath he ever drew in New Hamp-
shire. 1t was a rare occurrence, and remember 1t
was so rare that, when the prosecuting authorities
undertook to proceed against those who had seized
this individual, no statute against kidnapping could
be found, and they indicted at common law
since that time, statute has been enacted. Now
suppose individual of that character is seized
there-an individual who has been born, nurtured
and brought up there, owing allegiance and beins
entitled to protection there. You come upon hin
with an affidavit taken a thousand miles off, and vol
seize him. Where is that mans right? Where il
the trial by jury? Where Is the habeas corpus
Where is the protection which the Constitution guar
antics to the meanest citizen living under the law
Why sir, 1t is trampled in the dust by this bill; h
is carried before tribunal by of the officers
the Government, without the right of "a supervisor
examination of Judge of the United States Cour
within the district without any of the privileges be
longing to freeman, he is seized and hurried of
and, although 1t may appear upon the face of it
mere primG fdciG examination, it is to all inten
and purposes final and conclusive judgement, be
the officer gives to the claimant certificate
and he hurries him off; and when he gets to ii
great slave mart of Chrstendom, the city of Wasl
ington, he may sell him send him wherever
pleases. Now, am free to say, once for all, muC
as love the Union, much as reverence its institl
tlons, fond as are my memories which cling arour
itsearly histories, l would sacrifice them all to-da
before would consent that the citizens of my natl,
State should at one blow be stripped of every rig
that is dear to them, and for which their fathers bic
and died.
Now, sir, if that is to be the price of the preserv
ton of the Union, say" come disunion and con
to days" fyou can only purchase peace with US |
compelling us to surrender everything which exal
US above your slaves, let dsunion Gomez think Il
people of the free States will be ready for it. | a
utterly astonlshed to hear proposition of this so
made in the American Senate. The bill proceed
entirely the assumption that there are no rights
the Constitution, except the right of slavery, al
there is not single word letter in the propositit
have read, and have read it very carefully, tn
Is found to guard and protect with any efficient lie
islation the rights of child that may
wrongfuly seized. Why not frame bill that 81
the rights both Of the STAKEHOLDER and freeman
Why is there not some penalty imposed upon thos
persons who, upon some pretence or color Of RICH
undertake, unlawfully, to seize an individual Do,
not the obligation rest upon to deliver up
your property, even horse, fit should escape ?
Are not the free States under every obligation whiC
an honest man would be under? Are they n
DOuIu, dS HOHeSt HieI 10 uellVet up tnat property
Every citizen has right to sue in the courts
his own State for the recovery of his property an
the Constitution of the United States provides thu
''the citizens Of each State shall be entitled TO q;
privileges and immunities Of citizens in the sever
States.' There are Courts, and law ofcivilize
society; law which compes us to deliver up Il
the property of any citizen which may be found
our State. In New Hampshire, you cannot com
and take horse without trial by jury nor an
other property, amounting in value TO $l333, ifan
individual contests it, But you come and take nc
the horse, but the rider; not the accident, but til
man; not a cow, but a child. Then the safeguard
which the Constitution throws around property ar
stronger than for the man, and there is no help fo
him. But let me not be misunderstood; nor let il b
said that was ready TO dissolve the Union ! sal
no such thing; and the ingenuity of no man is com
petent to torture what / said into such meaning
said, sooner than surrender those rights for whic
the battles of the Revolution were fought, wouI
let the Union go, for the Union was formed to sc
the blessings of liberty, fathers have said
but when it is used TO secure the curses of slavery
then, say it should 60 down. cannot suppose
bill Of this character possibly pass unless ii
made efiectua to prevent abuse Of this sort.
CY- Daniel Webster is not the only great maj
who has funky followers There is class of mel
in New York city who worship Henry Clay with
narcactly Hind idnlafrv -Thav ha va mat ham ma