The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-07-29
HORACE MANN,s LETTERS.

Hon. Horace Mann, his constituents, upon the
Extension of Slavery &c, has just been published
with notes. portion of the notes are devoted es-
pecialy to the msstatsments and misrepresentation
OF MIR. Webster, in tte course of his recent somer-
sets, and it will be seen from the extracts below,
that the Senator has the worst of the argument Mr.
Webster's rhetoric mikes very shabby appear
ance when rddled through and through by the facts
of the Representative rom the 9th district.
MEASUREMENT OF FACT, IN REGARD
TO FUGITIVE SLAVES
| Mr.. Webster says that, previous to writing his
Newburyport letter, he made 'sdigent inquiry of
members of Congress iom New England, to ascer-
tain how many arrests of fugitive slaves had been
made in their time; and he adds, ''the result Of all
can learn is this: No seizure of an alleged slave
has ever been made in Naine.''
| Now, two such cases have happened in the State
OF Maine. One took phce in the eastern part of the
| State, about 1885 or '36. The other happened at
or near Thomaston, little later. In this latter case,
| the fugitive came to Maine in Thomaston vessel,
| whose master was afterwards demanded as fugi-
tive from justice. This demand gave rise to pro-
| longed correspondence think, with no less than
three Governors Of Maine. This correspondence
was extensively circulated through the newspapers,
or referred to by them, and it would seem hardly
possible that Mr.. Webster should not have seen it.
Since the Newburyport letter was published this
misstaement of fact has been noticed in the Maine
newspapers, yet no retraction is made. The mis-
statement is allowed to be spread over the whole
| country, uncorrected by its author. Mr. Webster
then adds, 'No seizure Of an alleged fugitive slave
| has ever been made in Vermont.' Tradition, ard,
as believe, authentic history, contradict Mr. Web
ster here. 1t is said by ''members of Congress-
| from Vermont that an alleged fugitive was carried
before Judge Harrington of Vermont in 1907, and on
his being asked what evidence would satisfy him
that the person was slave, he replied, "a bill of
sale from Almighty God"
| But even if these statements of Mr. Webster, with
regard to the New England States were all true, it
would avail him nothing; for, in the eye of patriot
ism, 1t matters not where such seizures are made
| refer to this, only to show that Mr. Webster is not
to be relied upon in these Matters either for the ac-
curacy of his original POSITIONS or for retracton Of
them, when their error Is pointed out by the public
press. wish not to be understood on this partic-
utGr point, as mputing to Mr. Webster an intention
| al missatement; because he accompanied his orig
| inal statement with salvo. He confessed, and
he Is entitled to the full benefit of the confession
that his information might not be ssentirey accurate
though he supposed II not to be 'smaterially erron-
eous;' 1t is materially erroneous;'' and though
one error has been exposed in the Maine papers
he does not rectfy it. Possibly, he does not know
it.
T. FURTHER MEASUREMENT OF FACT.
While holding Massachusetts up to reproach for
'sgrowing feryid on Pennsylvania wrong,'' Mr. Web
ster draws succor and encouragement from the So
clety of Friends and especially from the Friends of
Pennsylvania. He says that they remain ssof sound
and disposing minds and memories and he con-
trasts their wisdom and composure with the ''vehe-
ment and empty declarations, the wild and fantastic
conduct of both men and women which have so long
disturbed and much dsgraced the Common
wealth. of Massachusetts, He then adds, 81 am
mised by authority which ought not TO msIead, lift
be not true, that that great body approves the sent
ments to which gave uterance on the floor of the
Senate" | will now show that this alleged ap-
prevail by the Friends, though worthy of any price
but truth, was too dearly bought
1t is well known that the Friends are divided into
two great denominations. Each has its Periodical.
one now In its eighth the other in its fourth year.
In the numbers published since the appearance of
the Newburypor letter. both these periodicals do not
"approve,' but repudiate and denounce the senti-
ments to which Mr.: Webster gave utterance con
the floor of the Senate''
The Friends lntelligencer deals at length with
Mr. Webster's sentiments, on the Fugitive Slave
Bl; on the legislation Of the North for the protec-
ton OF its own citizens; his acknowledgements in
physical geography and on the illegal construc-
ton and effect of the Texas resolutions; and it
condemns them all.
The Friends Review dissents not less positively
from Mr.. Webster's positions; and both call him
severely to account for the defamation of themselves.
which his letter implies.
On his Sentiments respecting fugitive slaves,
the 'Review'' observes that they have yet to learn
''that that part of his speech was approved by any
member or professor of the society,"
wish had space to quote from these able arti-
cles but must forbear
John G. Whittier, Esq, speaking for the Quakers
OF New England, gives ga peremptory denal'' to
Mr.. Webster's statement | quote the following
paragraph from him:
Snow, we undertake to say that there is not men,
Der OF the Society of Friends, in free or slave States
VINO, whether acting az magistrate citizen, could
carry out the provisions of this atrocious bill with
out rendering himself liable to immediate expulsion from
society whose character would be dsgraced, and whose
discipline would be violated by such action. 1t has
been, in times past the misfortune Of the Society of
friends to be vifed, caricatured and misrepresented
but we remember nothing in the old days of per-
secuon, so hard to bear the compliments ofhe Mas
sachusetts Senator. Whatever his authority may have
been, we do not hesitate to pronounce unquafedly
false to the last degree"
Now what shall be thought Of a cause that requires
such defence, or of the man that can make it!
There are many other points presented by Mr.
Vph ~ ba Tth ccA 4