The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-11

here 10 washngion and have no scrupie in tsiiog You
ahss & csss. s Y re Ts,ss
.a.ss Y clearly Of opinion tina, y y disgrace the
eo% 4 Lns esss will NO oaD n
Of the United Sa,es and be there adjudged unconsu-
n w sa
passed by the Congress OF the United STATES s
s s#ytaas .4l saa5si the New ork Herald. .
WASHINGTON, December 7, 1850.
Close Of The first iceek of the Sess0n7he Negro Quss-
lsiss ea IN tion. .Islat IA At
The 6rst week Of the sessonwhich closed in the two
tory II has scarcely effected complete organization,
ont has developed very good condition Of temper in
the House and ip the Senate Harmony to prevail
70 an unexpected degree Southern uras look dubious
but are silent Northern nulliiers appear to be in the
best hnmor in the world and quite ready to unite in the
public business No petitions, no motions, no notices,
been made. IL is matter of wonder that the fugitive
law should have passed without even side blow for
tour days after the meeting OF Congress. as
But we are not certain OF this state OF peace from one
weeks end TO another South Carolina according to our
last accounts will recommend immediate secession; and
the reasonable law lately passed BY the Vermont egsa
mutiny IL s not certain, though her members are
returning TO their seats IN the CAPITOL that South Caro-
Ina will agree 70 continue to be represented in Congress
Tor the residue OF the session. In adopting steps for
mediate secession. her withdrawal from Congress would
necessarily be the first, the withdrawal Of foreign
ambassador is the first step to declaration of war If
her members withdraw, we may expect a scene. d q
The message Of the governoE OF Virginia he old Com
monweath which stands as the arber between The North
and South) is worthy OF consideration. The people of
Virginia attached TO the Union under the
OF the constitution. Bordering upon Pennsylvania and
Ohio, and their underground abolition railroads. for the
sprDg away Of slaves, the fugitive law Is Of especial
value 70 her Every slave reclaimed under il is secu-
ry for the res every one that escapes encourages
haps dozen others 70 attempt it. Very many southern
slaves have curious IDEAS OF northern liberty TO the black
man. and very exaggerated notions OF the favor and par
aity with which he is regarded in the North Plenty of
easy work, high wages, the right 10 vote with the
privilege OF intermaryng with the whites among the
exaggerated blessings attending the black in the
northern States The African is constutionally Lazy
easy work and high wages are irresistible temptations to
him. 1.-two or three days labor in the week will sup
port him in the North comfortably as six days with his
hern MASTER he will be apt with fair chance alb
scond His sagacy and foresight are limited. lie does
not choose always TO take probable sickness and old age
into the account The decrepd and old slaves even with
the iarest prospect of escape, have enough
know that they an expense to the MASTER and that he
is bound to support them. They remain tits the able
bodied and valuable slaves that are fug,ives The con-
venences OF slipping from Virginia, under of the
night into Ohio and Pennsylvania and the facilities af
forded for shelter and escape make the fugitive law
practical measure OF the highest importance 10 Virginia
Its faithful observance will her thousands OF dol
lars IN value LIS non observance will necessarily incline
her 10 cooperate with South Carolina in secession
aliation The governors message recommends retaa.
ton in measures Of practical non-niercourse. which, il
ce.sion; in the end. the dissolution Of the Union.
We have shown, however, the Importance OF the fugi
tive law to Virginia and the border slave States To the
cotton States II Is Of no great practical value Slaves
very seldom attempt escape North from Alabama or
Georgia Yet the faithful adherence 10 the law BY the
northern States Is OF vital importance to the whole South
test Of the fidelity OF the North TO the constitutional
guarantees OF southern slavery III this clause OF the
constitution dsregarded and nulled, there no sec
rty slavery in the Union The object of the law was
more 10 test northern honesty than 10 secure fugitive
slaves, There southern advocating who ex
peced that would be secuted yet advocated it's passage
secession in northern resistance
The paramount importance Of the fugitive act, and OF
lis faithful Observance thus manifest and conclusive
OF the danger OF bad faith Hence the wise resolutions
among the leading OF both parties in both houses
10 touch II, and not TO have II touched The sugges
ton OF the Presidents message doubtless with the full
consent OF Mr.. Webster TO the end The President
stringent only according 10 the constitution his duty and
his conscience go together TO sustain it, The corstu
lion Is compact between the several States II the
North cannot adhere 10 their agreement there IL end
TO itthere provocaiion TO quit partnership which is
false TO its solemn pedgesit Is the provocaon which
many influential southern men expected, sought, and de-
sired Now, let have flood OF northern petitions and
House or the Senate and from the fact that this law is
the test question between the North and South, may
anticipate an ugly reagaiion. We confess that we are
afraid Of III fear that the present excellent temper OF
Congress 10 deceptive. II - not the first week OF the
session. nor the second which determines its results
The Christmas holydays uniformly pass by before any
thing is done in the way Of the actual business OF the
session. We are satisfied that the nuhers have not
abandoned their design OF mischef and fear that
quite soon enough they will open the whole broad ques
ton OF slavery, notification. and disunion.