The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-11-19
From he NM York Herald.


The FUGITIvE SLAVE BILL-TRE LATE
ELEcTIoSs-THE STAMPEDE.--Of all the meas
| ures comprised in the slavery Adjustment the
| Fugitive slave bill has worked most emphati.
cally in the North. On the day that the bill
went through the House, DIR. Clay rose in his
place in the Senate, and expressed his congratu-
lations that the measure was finally passed, and
that the great work of compromise only requir-
ed the abolition of the District slave trade.
That bill, also, was at length passed; when Mr..
Clay took occasion to express his convictions
that peace and harmony would speedily be res
tored to our bleeding, agitated, aud distracted
country. A few Abolitionists in the North, and
few reckless ultras in the South, might, he
supposed, attempt to revive the agitation; but
their efforts would be ridiculous, The great
masses, of both sections, would be satisfied.
Harmony would be restored, and the North
and South, under the same vine and fig tree,
would bury the Ratchet, and smoke the pipe OF
peace together fora very long time to come.
Such was the prophecy OF Mr.. Clay What
is the fact! The Compromise bills were but
the beginning of the agitation. The huster,
buster, bravado, clap-trap, gas, and terrible
threats of Abotionists and Southern ultras, be-
| fore the settlement, were mere moonshine to
what has succeeded. 1t is just the difference be-
tween the maneuverings of two armies be-
fore an impending war, and the actual guerilla
warfare after the first battle is over. All the
peace measures of the last Congress only
carry us to Buena Vista-the battles of the
Southern column of the army have yet to be
fought
/ The Fugitive slave bill may we'll be called
the Buena Vista of the compromise measures
AS in the fight in Mexico, so in the contest in
Congress there were many among the bravest
left upon the field and many who, deeming "dis-
erection the better part of va!or," kept quiet or
took to their heels. In the Senate, Colonel Ben
tor was accidentally absent on the engrossment
of the bill and, owing probably to the "noise
and confusion" General Cass did not answer to
his name. From one cause or other, (and, as
far as we are Informed, we give the causes,) the
following Senators were absent, or dumb, or
just stepped out, on the engrossment Of the bill
which was the test question:
ABSENT, STEPPED OUT, OR NOT VOTING.
Jeremiah Clemens, for several
weeks-gone home.
ARKANsAs-Solon Borand, off in Arkansas,
all the session.
FLORIDA-Jackson Morton, absent
INDIANA Messrs. Bright and Whitcomb,
bright stepped out, Whilcomb hard of hearing
ILLINoIs-Messrs. Douglas and Shields, CAB.
sent or mutn)
kENTUcKV-Mr. Clay, absent at Newport
MAINE-Mr. Hamlin, (Free-so) absent.
MICHIGAN-Messrs Cass and Felch Mr.
Cass was in his seat, but too much "noise and
confusion" to hear his name called Mr.. Felch
accidentally missing.
MIssooRI-Mr. Benton missing; supposed to
have stepped out
New HAMPsHIRE-Messrs. Hale and Norris
Hale off home-Norris no answer.
New YoRK-Messrs. Dickinson and Seward
paired of, to allow Seward to visit New York.
New JERsEY-Mr. Mler-gone home,
RHODE lsLAND-Mr. Clarke-gone home.
VERMoET-Mr phe ps-absent from sickness
Total gone home, absent, stepped out, or not
voting, twenty--or exactly one-third of the en-
tire Senate-on the passage Of the act. But to
make the case more clear, we give the Eyes and
noes, aud the missing, &C.;