The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-07-24
Webster aud Free seiIIsm.

in speech delivered by Hon. Daaie
Webster, on the l7th inst, that gentleman
walks into abolition SgilaiOrs after the fol-
lowing fashion:
"Now, sir, this prejudice, [ihe prejudice
against slavery, and restitution of fugitive
slaves, made by the. ineessanI attrilion on
the public mind by abolition societies, ubol.
ilion presses, and abolition lecturers, hai
grown very strong. No drum-head, in the
longest days march, was ever mote inees-
sanity beaten, than public sentiment in the
North has been, every month, and day, and
hour, by the d'a, and roll, and rub dub oI
abolition writer's and lecturers. That is what
has created Inc prejudice.
"SIr, .he principles of the restitution ol
runaway slaves is not Objectionable, unless
the constitution is Objectionable. II the
constitution is right in thai respect, the prin
clPle is right, and the law providing for car
rying ii into eliectis right. If that be so, and
If there be no abuse Of the right under any
law Of Congress, or any other law, then what
is there 10 complain Of?
II say, sir, that not only has here been nc
case, so iaras can learn, ofihe reclamation
| oi slave by his master, which ended in
taking him back to slavery in this generation,
but | will add that, so far as Ihave been a6le
TO 60 back in my researches-as far as have
been able to hear and learn in all that region
there has been no case of false claim
Who knows IN all New England of a single
case OF false claim having ever been set up to
an alleged fugitive from slavery? Etmay posi-
biy have happened; but have never known
1t nor heard OF il, although have made dili>
Igent inquiry; nor do | believe there is the
slightest danger of it--for all the community
are alive 10 The subject, and especially atthis
time There is no danger of any such yio-
lation being perpelraled. Before pass from
thIa subject, sir, will say that whit seems
extraordinary is this: that this principle Of
restitution, which has existed in the country
Tor more than two hundred years without
complaint sometimes as subject Of agrees
ment between the northern colonies and the
South, and sometimes as u matter of comfy
Should at once, and after the length of time
| have mentioned, become subject of ex>
element. | happen to have in my hand
letter ftom Gov. Berkeley, the governor of
Virginia, TO Gov. Endicott, of Massachusetts,
written in the year lG44--more than two
hundred years ago-n which he says that a
certain gentleman (naming hiIn) has lost
some servants, whom he supposes have run
away, giving their names, into ne jurisdiction
of Massachusets-and the senator from
Kentucky mr. CLAYl will be pleased 10
learn thar 1t contains a precedent for what
he considers 10 be the proper course Of pro
ceodlng in such cases:--he states that this
gentleman has made i, appear in court that
they are his slaves aud have run away, He
goes on to say, ''We expect you TO use all
kind Offices for the restoration 10 their master
OF these lugItiveS, MS we constantly exercise
the same offices in restoring runawnys 10 you"
AT that day do not suppose there were
great many slaves in Massac 1usetts; but
there was an extensive system Of appren-
HceshP, and hundreds ofpersons were bound
apprentices IN Massachusetts, some of whom
would run away. They were as likely to
run-to Virginia as anywhere else, and in
such cases they were returned, upon de"
nand, 70 their masters. So true is that, tha,
II was found necessary in the early laws off
to make provision for the sei~
zure and return ofrunaway apprentices. In all
the rcvsions Of our laws, this provision re-
mains; andhere it is in the revised statues
now before me. Ii provides that runaway
apprentices shall be secured upon the appl-
cation OF their masters. or any one on their
behalf, and put into jail until they can be
sent for by their masters; and there is no trial
by jury in their case, either. say, thete>
fore, that exaggerated statement of the dam
ger and mischief arising from This right of
slaves is always prejudice pro-.
duced by the csuses have stated, and one
which ought not longer to haunt and terlify
The public mind"
~O-~0-~~-~0~ ~.o.o-n
EObbA sra uAnpiNus NU6tEu ENi..Sas