Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-31

the oupourngs of philanthropy, nngIino oil the
while their anathemaS at what they call oman catch
ine" with the most horrd and proane obiurpations OF
the Christian Sabbath, and indeed of the whole Divine
Revelation They sanctiy their philanthropy by ire
Lyon and profanity they manifest their charity by con-
| tempt OF God and his commandments.
1t is well to inquire what foundation there is for all
this rhapsody OF opinion and all this violence in CON
duct. What and how many are the instances of the
SEIZURE OF fugitive slaves which these persons have
SEEM or which have happened in New England in their
time! And what have been the circumstances of in
justice, cruelty and atroclty attending them? To as
certain the truth in this respect have made dqent in
curry OF members of Congress from the six New Eng
land states. On subject general cannot be sure,
OF course, thatthe information received entirely accu
rate, and therefore, do not say that the statement
winch am about to present may be relied on as alto
gether correct but suppose it cannot be materially err
roneous. The result, then, of all | can learn is this
no seizure OF alleged slave has been made in
Name N seizure OF an alleged fugitive slave has ever
been made in New Hampshire No SEIZURE of an al
legged fugitive slave has ever been made in Vermont
No seizure OF alleged fugitive slave has been made
in Rhode Island within the las. thirty wears No sell
zure OF alleged fugitive slave is known to have been
made In Connecticut, except about twenty five
years ago. and in that the negro was Immediately
discharged for want OF proof OF identity Some n-
stances OF the seizure OF alleged fugitive slaves are
known to have occurred in this generation in Massa-
chusetts but except one, their number and their history
is uncertain; that one took place in Boston twelve M
teen years ago; and in that some chartaby dis
posed persons offered the owner sum of money which
he regarded as less than half the value of the slave but
which he agreed to accept, and the negro was dis
charged lew cases, suppose, may have occurred in
New Bedford, but they attracted little notice not far
as can learn, caused any complaint. Indeed do not
Know that there than single case or two
arising In that place. Be it remembered that am
speaking OF reclamatons of slaves made by their mas
tiers under the law OF Congress am not speaking of
Instances OF violent abduction and kidnapping made by
persons not protesting to be reclamng their slaves
Ii this be true account of all that has happened 10
New England within the last thirty years. respecting
the arrest OF fugitive slaves, and believe is subst
TALLY Is So what is there to justify the passionate ap
peals the vehement and empty declamations the wild
and fantastic conduct, OF both men and women which
have so long disturbed and much disgraced the COM
monwealth and the country! What is there especially
that should induce public men to break loose from all
Just restraint, tall themselves into the merest vagares
and fan, with what they call eloquence the fires yer
ready TO kndIe, of popular preiudces and popular
excitement suspect all this to be the effect of that
wandering and vagrant philanthropy which disturbs
and annoys all that is pres ent in time place, by
heating the imaglnaon on subjects distant remote and
uncertain.
1t is admitted, on all hands that the necessity for any
legal provision Tor the retaining oftugtve slaves
misfortune aud an evil as it is admitted by nearly all
that slavery itself is misfortune and an evil And
there are states in which the evil attending these ecama
tons is practically felt But where the evil really exists
there is comparatively little complaint and no excite
ment. Maryland and Pennsylvania, for example lie,
the one on the slave side of the line, the other on the
free side Slaves escape from Mary flee into Penn
syvana, and are there arrested These instances are not
unfrequent and usually create disturbance and excite
no exasperated feeling In one instance indeed mob
assembled to rescue the tugtivevolence ensued and
lie was lost This OF created popular resent
ment and for considerable time agtated the neghbor-
hood. But in general the people OF Pennsylvania un-
derstand their neighbours rights and are willing that they
should be secured aud enjoyed Massachusetts gro ws
tervId on Pennsylvania wrongs; while Pennsylvania
herself s not excited by OF such wrongs and
complains of no injustice. The Abolitoniss of Massa
ehusets, both the oat-an -out and the qsasi rend
the welkin with sympathies tor Pennsylvania while
Pennsylvania would quite as willingly DO left to her
care of herself
Massachusetts tears fall abundanty for Pennsylvania
suferlngs; but which sutierngs, Pennsylvania herself
knows little or nothing Of 10 people are more opposed
to slavery than the people OF Pennsylvania. We know,
y that that great and respectable part of her
population the Friends, have borne their testimony
against it from the first Yet they create no excitement;
they seek not to overthrow undermine the const u
tion of their country They know that firmness sea-
dlness OF principle, Just moderation, and unconquera
bic perseverance are the virtues the practice OF which
is most likely to correct whatever is wrong in the
stutlon OF the social system 10 doubl there are soma
times to be found Friends subject to the tray of de-
string to become conspicuous to the influence of
false sentimentality, or borne away into atmosphere
Pickering between light aud darkness by the puffs OF
the transcendenta philosophy. But hat is mala-
dy OF the great body They remain Of sound dsposing
minds and memories am misled by authority which
ought not to misead ii be not true, that that great
body approves the sentiments to which have given
| terance on the floor of the Senate
Between Kentucky and Ohio complaints have arisen
occasionally the subject OF fugitive slaves; but by
to the extent which has been represented by the
abolition societies. Slal ehoders in Kentucky complain
of the difficulties which they in retaining
tugltiVes; and the people OF Ohio complain, not OF the
execution of the act of Congress- and recamatons UNI
der but of the conduct ofsavehoders in coming into
the State, taking and carrying back thelrsaves by force
and without legal process The State of Ohio has had
the discretion prohibit her officers and magistrates
from performing the duties enjoned them by the
Of Congress Such duties they perform when occasion
requires yet they may be prohibited by the Legisla-
ture and the Supreme Court has decided that the
power OF Congress to make complete provision by law
for the whole SUBJECT and to give the power of exc
cutting such law to officers of the United States and as
the prohbitory acts OF OF the States make an ap-
propriae and suitable law of the United States indis
pensable such law passed. would Of course be gene
raj and would comprehend Ohio with other States.
The of 1898 gives right Of action to the owner
OF fugitive slave against any person who shall harbor
or conceal him. Such actions have been brought in
Ohio, and have heard eminent judicial authority say
that he has found more obstruction to the course Of
judicial proceedings in these than in others Ohio
juries try them with much mpatality and calmness
as they try other causes.
Gentlemen, from what know Of the subject and of
the public men, and OF the people OF those States
fully believe that il left entirely them, law might be
passed perfectly satsacoryto every body except those
whose business is agitation and whose objects are any
thing but the promotion of peace harmony patriotic
good will and the love OF UNION among the people of the
United States.
And now, gentlemen, does not every sober minded
and patriotic the necessity and feel the duty of
rebuking that spirit of faction and dsunion, that spirit
Of discord and OF elimination and recriminaton, that
spirit that loves angry controversy, and loves it, es-
pecally when evils are imaginary and dangers unreal
which has been actively employed in doing mischief
and which, to be amented has received counten
ance and encouragement in quarters whence better
things were looked torl
We near the close Of the sixth month of the
session OF Congress What important measure has been
adopted for the OF the great interests of ths
country?
For one, hardly dare expect any progress in useful
legislation, until spirit shall prevail, both in Congress
and the country, which shall look things impor-
tant and real and less to things ideal and abstract
That there are serious difficulties in present condi-
tion growing out Of the acquisition of territories
certainly true. These difficulties toreseen and fore
told. An honest and earnest effort made to avoid
and avert them. They are now upon But we can
overcome them, and still remain prosperous, happy
and united people, ifprudence and Cancellation shall ami
mate our public counses, and spirit Of toraearance,
moderation, and harmony spread over the land.
am. gentlemen, with entire regard YOUR OBLIGED fell