The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-24

now still more thoroughly satisfied upon conside ration.
that the only efficient form in which we provide for
the honorable senator from Maryland, [Mr PRArrl I
feel perfectly satisfied other law but such
be proposed prove efcienlTal others, AS we know
having proved inefficient Well, sir. that proposition
was voted dow suppose the proposition OF the senator
from Virginia lMr MAsosl will share the fate II
is remarkable fact-a melancholy fact TO ms-that
when the vote OF Yesterday Is analysed, il will show
this state OF things II all the southern senators had
united the support OF that proposition. it would have
been adopted by this body, and would have become a
part of the laws Of the land and thus the ecapure OF
fugitive slaves would have been eeclualy provided for
II the is analzyed-if senators will examine the
vote given upon yeslertay-thIs will be TO be the
case Thus, consequence OF an unfortunate division
of sentiment IN southern senaorsan unfortunate failure
10 cooperate IN the support Of certain measures-ihe
South seems fated to eternal disappointment ex
pect that shall realize the same to-day re-
allied yesterday, because there apparently the same
difference OF sentiment among southern gentlemen !
shall vo.e as did yesterday, for the proposition OF the
honorable senator from Virginia, Mr.. MAsoN,l feeling
very anxious that an efficient law upon this subject shall
be provided am perfectly satisfied that il the amend
ment OF the honorable senator from Virginia be not
now adopted--if the proposition of the honorable
senator from Maryland. which was defeated yester-
day. be again defeated If renewed to-day-it will be
impossible TO provide for the South an efficient law
upon this subject And thereiorei hereafter, if that
failure should be experienced the South will have
but little to complain against the general leglsla
ton of Congress. propose no grounds OF complaint
against any here think, certainly, ground
Tor exists, because union and cooperation Is
entirely out of the questionable state Of things being
have stated lament it deeply. Honorable senators
might by previous conference from time to time upon
the various questions that are presented here, feel
assured prevent the unfortunate state OF things OF which
have been c0mpainingtha we southern senators can
not agree upon any measure OF importance to them In
of this continual difference of southern
ment, eternally defeated by those who OPP
posed TO us in the Senate shall for this PROPOSE
lion; but am perfectly satisfied i will be defeated
can imagine good effect that possibly arise from
the defeat Of this proposition OF the honorable senator
from Virginia, [Mr MAsoN,l except that possibly the
the South advantagetha s by keeping this qaes-
ton open in connexion with the other questions, there
might be better opportunity Of raising the whole South
| upon the multiplied questions thus left unadlusted
Mr. DAVIS, of MISSISSIPPI. Mr. President, the last re-
mark of my colleague seems particularly TO refer to the
southern gentlemen acting with me.
Mr.. FOOTE, lin his seaD did not in the least de-
gree allude omy colleague
Mr.. DAVIS Of Mississippi II the remark did not re-
fer to me, then have reply 10 make TO it. The mis-
fortune Of the division among the southern be
the misfortune OF their not seeing their interests in
the light For the reasons gave, first upon the
a,anst this proposition Ii is not only TO par
ticular species of property, but il more than that
Where is this TO end Ii we admit that the federal gov
eminent has the power TO assume this control over slave
propery-if admit that the federal government may
thus step between the master owning this slave prop
ey and the property ITSELF and make the whole treasury
OF the United States subservent to these puposeswhee
shall find the end? We know that in the other end
of this Capitol already proposition exists to ship the
owned by The United States IT, then, we relieve the
non saveholdng States from the only check upon them
their unwngness to have free negroes among them
and charge the treasury with the pay for every negro
that escapes and then charge the treasury with the sending
OF these negroes to Africa relieve the ponsavehong
States from the only check upon them-whee is THIS
ask, to stop We who pay dspfcportonaie amount oil
the of the country shall contribute not to protect
property, but to pay for il when IL stolen from
This sir, is consideration OF the expedency OF the tu
ture results OF such proposition.
But sir the obligation OF the constitution is return
the property Then bound 10 leglsla TO the
IRENE poin-o the return OF the property. How
far that is TO be effected cannot tell My own belief
is that enacments will not be very efectua because
believe the great difficulty will be TO find the fugitive
have seen in the papers of the day the OF
occurring recently in Pitisbug of
with the masters baggage while he was at dinner; and
the police officer told the master that II was more than
his life worth point out the house in which the
servant was concealed The difficulty is to find the i-
gtve. There be indemnity IN that case, when
the fugitive cannot be found. think we may provide
BY law for his arrest and where there danger OF
mob, think the duty OF this government is to protect
the property OF the citizen and 10 give him safe conduct
to his Stateio guard him by posse al the expense
of the government, and TO deliver his property to HIM al
home That. think, is remedy that may be efficient
but whenever the slave cannot be captured, gentlemen
vii perceive that the indemnity will fail
/ Mr. FOOTE. was very far from intending TO call IN
question the motives Of anybody. discaim especially
any intention TO mpugn the motives OF my colleague oi
have always considered and known them 70 be patriotic
Yet ee bound 10 say that compelled TO older from
my colleague. Al understood him Alright, he declared
that such propos ton this unconstitutional.
have not yet heard any assert thai was possible
10 provide any whatever for the restoration OF
fugitive slaves that would be likely TO prove efficient
except be this proposition OF the senator from Mary
land, amendment 10 the bill OF the senator from
Virginia II any honorable senator knows OF any prop
oson that be introduced here, assuming the form OF
law that will be likely TO prove efficient TO restore fug
tive slaves, other than such that under
sderauon, would like 10 hear that gentleman suggest
IL, and would like to hear the arguments IN support oil
it, to prove that such proposition il it should become
1~l. kal lalnf In HEAR a
say said yesterday, il does that this propo
siton is the only which, II II should receive
sanction, would be likely TO prove etectua In restoring
fugitives from service ia the slave States
Now, sir, where be the constitutional difficulty in
such law Congress is authorized TO declare ant
under that general power all the OF conducting the
war to successful termination allowed 10 be used
being implicitly given Congress is not only authorized
10 recapture fugitive slaves, but the constitution goes
further and foro supplies the means for enforcing the
law This bill, therefore, not only alordng the appropr
ate means, but think experience has shown the only
means by which this end be accomplished, how car
there be any doubt upon the constitutional point9 My
colleague says IT will involve the country IN great
pense Why, sir II ugitves from service in the ruth
SHALL from ime to time in large numbers, be entced u
flee from the service OF their masters and shall be found
IN limits OF the free States of the Union and obstacles
there presented their recaptnre and restoration and
this government does not by the enactment OF such Law
as the constitution authorizes us to adopt provide the
proper means for the restoration oi those ugtives,
matter what may be the amount OF money requisite tC
enable Congress fulfil iis duty, that amount OF money
cannot be large for 10 appropriate for proper and
sacred purpose this Ii will bear proportion q
the good that will be gained when that law shall go into
etTecual operation Let this law be passed and 90 into
operation five years, and you will hear OF slaves