The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-02

AT the Soutn.
Mr. HALE, (interposing.) Win the honorable
Senator allow me TO ask him question: is ne not
mistaken in the point of fact in regard TO the state
of Massachusetts,. | recollect something occurring
in Massachusetts not more than three or four years
ago, in relation TO man by the name OF Pierson,
and that there was large pubic meeting on the
subject in Faneuil Hall
MIR. WEBSTER will state how that was. That
of kidnapping by some one who claimed,
or pretended TO claim, the negro, and ran away
with him by force. What mean TO say is, that
there has been no man. under the Constitution and
laws OF the country, sent back from Massachusetts
into slavery IN this generation. i have stated be-
FORE and state now, that cases of violent seizure
or kidnapping have occurred and they may occur
in any Slate in the Union, under any provisions of
law, and in respect to black persons or white per.
sons.
Now, sir, this prejudice, made by incessant attr-
ton the public mind by abolition societies, abo
lition presses, and abolition lecturers, has grown
very strong. No drum head, in the longest days
march, was ever more necessarily beaten and smit-
ten than public sentiment in the North has been
every month, and day, and hour, by the din, and
roll, and rub dub of abolition writers and abolition
lecturers. That it is which has created the pre- u
dice.
Sir, the principle of the restitution Of runaway
slaves is not Objectionable, unless the Constitution
ID objec tonable If the Constitution is right in that
respect, the principle is right, and the law provid-
ing for carrying II into effect Ia right II that be
so, and if there be no abuse of the right under any
law of Congress, any other law, then what is
there to complain Of
say, sir, that not only has there been case,
far as can learn, of the reclamation of slave by
his master, which ended in taking him back to
slavery in this generation, but will add that, so
far as have been able to go back in my researches
as far as have been able 10 hear and learn in all that
region, there has been no one case of false claim.
Who knows in all New England of single case of
false claim having ever been set up to an alleged
fugitive from slavery II may possibly have hap
pened but have never known il nor heard Of il ,
a iyb hay do a INN do
eve there is the slightest danger of it, for all the
community are alive TO, and would take instant
alarm ut, any appearance OF such case, and es-
pecally at this time. There is danger of any
such violation being perpetrated. Before ! pass
from this subject, sir, l will say that what seems
extraordinary is this, that this principle of resttu
ton, which has existed in the country for more than
two hundred years without complaint, sometimes
as matter of agreement between the northern
colonies and the South, and sometimes matter
of comfy, should all at once, and after the length
of time have mentioned, become subject of ex-
element.
happen TO have in my hand letter from Gov
ernor Berkely, the governor Of Virginia to Cover
nor Endcott, Of Massachusetts, written in the year
l6ii-more than two hundred years ago-in which
he says that certain gentleman (namlng him)
had lost some servants, whom he supposes TO have
run away, giving their names, into the jurisdiction
Of Massachusetts; and the member from Kentucky
(Mr. Clay will be pleased to learn that il contains
precedent for what he considers 10 be the proper
course of proceeding in such Governor
Berkely states that the gentleman, the owner of the
slaves, has made it appear in court that they
his saves&nd have run away. He goes on to say
1--WE expect you TO use all kind offices for the
toration 10 their master of these fugitives,
constantly exercise the same offices in restoring
runaways 10 you" At that day 1 do not suppose
there were great many slaves in Massachusetts,;
but there was an extensive system of apprentice
ship, and hundreds of persons were bound appren-
tees in Massachusetts, some of whom would run
away. They were as likely to run to Virginia as
any where else; and in such cases they were
turned, upon demand, to their masters. Indeed,
II was found necessary in the early laws of Alassa
chusetts TO make provision for the seizure and
turn OF runaway apprentices. In all the reyisions
OF our laws, this provision remains and here it is
IN the revised statutes now before me. 1t provides
that runaway apprentices shall be secured upon
the application Of their masters, any on their
behalf, and put into Jail until they be sent for
by their masters and there is no trial by jury in
their case either say, therefore, that the exag-
gerated statement of tue danger and mischief arts
ing from this right Of retaining slaves is preju-
dice, produced by the causes have stated, and one
which ought not longer 10 haunt and terrify the
public mind.
With great respect will also state, that think
II Is prejudice TO insist with 80 much strength
upon the application of the "Wilmot proviso" 20
the Territories OF New Mexico and Utah, because
Of its apparent inapplicabity and the want of all
reasonable necessity for making the application in
the manner proposed, and as II Is offensive and af-
fronting 20 gentlemen from southern States.
Another prejudice against the South is just
actly that which exists in the South against the
North and consists in impuung TO a whole portion
Of the country the extrayagances Of individuals.
Sir, dwell no longer upon these subjects, into
which was led rather incidentally by remark Of
my own, as have said, in Boston.
But return for a few moments 90 the general
question. will say however, before depart from
this part Ofthe case that the State in whose repre-
scntatiOn bear part, Is Union State, thorough
ly and emphaucally; that she - attached 10 the
Union and the Constitution by inseparable ties;
that she connects all her history from colonial
umcs, her struggle for Independence, her efforts
for the establishment of this Government, and all
the benefits and blessings which she has enjoyed
under II, IA one great attractive whole, 10 which
her affect tons arc constantly and powerfully drawn
All these make up a history IN which she has taken
part, and the whole Of which che enjoys ne a most
precious inheritance. She is State Tor the Union;
she will be for the Union. II is the law Of her dcs
tny II Is the law Of her situation; il is law inn
posed upon her by the rccoections of the past and
by every interest Of hers for the present. and every
hope Of hers for the future.
Mr.. President, IL has always seemed 10 me TO be
a grateful reflection that, however short and tran
sient may be the lives Of individuals States may be
permanent The great corporations that embrace
the government Of mankind, protect their liberties,
ano secure their happiness, may have something Of
perpctuity, and, az ! might say, Of immortality.
For my part sir, crafty myself by contemplate
ing what in future will be the condition Of that
generous State which las done me the honor to keep
inc in the councils Of the country for many years
rec nothing about her in prospect less than that
which oncircles her now. ! feel that when !, and
all those that now hear me, shall have gone to our
Last home, and afterwards, when mould may have
gathered upon our memories, az il will have done
upon our tOmbs that State carly to take her part
IN the great contest Of the Revolution will stand
as che has and dOcs now stand, like that column
which, near her Capitol, perpetuates the memory
OF the fret great battle Of the Revolution, firm,
erect, and immovablc. / believe. SIR that II com.
motion shall shake the country, there will be one
rock forever, as solid the granite Of her hs for
the Union 20 repOse upon. believe that If disas-
ters arise, bringing clouds which shall obscure the
ensign now over her and over US, there will be one
star that will but burn the brighter amid the dark
moss Of that night; and believe that, il n the re-
mctcst agcs-ltrust they will be infinitely remote
an occasion shall occur when the sterncst duties Of
patriotism are demanded and TO be- performed, Mas
sachusctts will initiate her own example, and that,
az al the breaking out Of the Revolution, she was
he hrst - offer the outpournR Of all her blood aud
all her treasure Ia the struggle for liberty che will
&c hereafter ready, when the emergency arises, TO
repeat and renew that offer, with thousand times
az many warm hearts, and a thousand tm,s a.
many strong hands.
And now, Mr.. President, 10 return at last 20 the
principal and important question before W.. What
are we TO do' How arc we 70 bring this cmerrent
and pressing question 10 an issue and an end2
Here have We been seven and half months dis