The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1850-06-21

Jay mas Deen conducted win great lrregnlarlty.
A single proposition was before the Senate and
That on an amendment to particular section, as
to the prohibition against legislation by the ter
rtorial legislatures, as to the subject of slavery
and although that was the solitary question be-
fore the Senate, Senators have ranged out upon
the wide ocean of discussion, embracing in the
course of this argument the entire subject Of the
feel constrained in vindication
Of the act of the committee, of which was an
humble member, to meet some of the arguments
of the honorable Senator, and | will begin with
the last. The Senator from Louisiana (Mr.
SouIe) finds himself incompetent 10 concur in
the scheme of compromise which has been pro-
posed. Will that Senator condescend TO pre-
sent project of his cwn for the satisfaction and
reconciliation of the people of this country?
Will he tell us what he wants? Sir, this finding
of fault, and this discovering, with the aid of
magnitying glasses, Of defects, of little animal
cule which move upon the surface OF matter that
are not discernable to the naked eye, is prac-
tfce which can be attended with no practical
benefit 1t is the daty Of the Senator who has
lust addressed us, as well as the duty Of all who
assai this compromise, TO give pr0iect, or to
tell US how they can reconcile the conflicting
interests Of the different parts Of this country,
and harmouize those distracted portions. The
Senator began, il am not mistaken, with an
objection TO that which relates to the recovery OF
fugitive slaves, and be said with an air of dissat
isfacton, if not of some derision, that the COM
mittee had brought back that bill with certain
embarrassments, instead of Improvements.
beg him to recolect, sir, that the greatest objec
tions which have been made 10 the part relating
TO fugitlves came from States which are not suf-
ferng materially under the evil complained Of
| stated the other day, and | will repeat it now,
that my own State is the most suffering State;
and | venture 10 state that Louisiana is the
least so. But vet the honorable Senator, when
we Of the border States are perfectly satisfied,
believe, with the provisions. sees in them objec.
tons which are insurmounable. And what
are the embarassments OF which he complains!
Why, that the slave owner in pursuit OF his tu-
gtive property is to carry with him record.
That contend, is an advantage protection
to the slaveholder-a great advantage; for that
record will command respect in the free
States, and give him a security which no afflda-
Wit before justice can confer.
And with respect to the other subject reported
by the committeeman of trial by jury. Where
is the practical Inconvenience OF trial taking
place in the State from which the fugitive has
fed! And in point Of practical effect, venture
10 say it will not occur in one instance in thou
sand. because wherever the fugitive is arrested
and claims before the officer who is TO grant the
certificate of his return, that he is freeman, j
will almost in every instance be found that this
claim FOR freedom is mere prefext, and when he
gets back in his own State he will abandon tha
pTofext Let it be remembered, too, that this |;
proposed az substitute, as a satisfaction to tht
North for that trial by lury-ior which they con
tend, and which have insisted would amour
to virtual surrender of the constitutional pro
visions
Mr. President, find myself in a very peculia
and most painful situation in respect to the de
| fence Of this report | find myself assailed b.
extremes everywhere-by undercurrents-b
| those in high and low authority, but believing
as do, that this measure, and this measure only
will pass, if any does, during the present session
] shall stand up in its support against all ohjec
tions springiDg from whatever quarter they may
| 1t was but the other day that found myself re
preached at the North for utteriDg calumn
upon their institutions by saying that trial b
jury in the case of fugitive slaves could not }
relied upon as remedy for master who had los
a slave; as if | had not commended and applaud
ed the administration of justice upon the subjec
of fugitive slaves. SO far as it respected at leas
| Federal and State courts generally! ! argue
/ that if you required from Kentuckian who ha
lost his slave that he shall resort to trial by jur
| inlMassachusetts on the question ofthe fugitive
freedom, it will be requisite, in consequence {
such an assertion of his privilege, that you draN
i JoIo 81
trial from time 10 iirne-that the power of gram
ing new trial shall be awarded.-that an appes
and supervising power will be necessary upo
the final trial, SO that when you come to sum u
the case at the close, although the owner ma
recover his property he has spent perhaps twiC
the value of his slave. That was the argumer
and vet at the North, by one of those extremtie
by which find this measure of the committe
assaed, am accused of casting unmerited or
probrium upon the trial by jury. These amend
ments are objected to as giving embarrassment
to every Louisianan in the recovery of his prt
pefty' There are some men to whom the ol
addge would very well apply:
81 do not like you, Doctor Fell.
The reason why cannot tell;
But this one thing know full well.
i w uOl AlhC 1Ou OoOtOi
They are determined to find objections TO
measure, if not practical, theoretical, and such
they hope will lead to subversion Of the mea
ure. Now, sir, follow the honorable Senator
little further. The great objection was in Il
prohibiting the territorial Legislature from pas
ing any law in respect TO slavery, within Il
territories. Did the honorable Senator know Il
history ofthat clause? Did he know that ii WI
Emoved in the Committee of Thirteen by his ow
colIeaguea Did he know that clause was vote
for by every Southern man in that committe
with the exception Of myself Every Southel
man voted for the clause which is the theme
the learned Senator 'sfong address, K did soagain
Emy opinion. and against the opinion Of the Mort
ern Senators whowers upon the committee, wi
one solitary exception. And, yet, Che nome
it presents itself, although it comes under Sout
ern auspices, it is objected TO. Again. ask Il
Honorable Senator from Louisiana (Mr. Soul
] and all that concur with him in The opinion al
object to this measure, to tell US what "
want; put it down in black and white, and gi,
us PROJECT and let it be compared with the pr
! iect Of the Committee; and let us Know Il
full extent OF the demand, aud then we shall
/ able to pass Judgment upon it. Doaot restri
5 yourself in the unstatesmanlike mode of indil
, obiections-of finding faults without oferil
any healing or salutary substitute for the mea
: ure which you oppose.
; The Hon. Senator finds great objection to t
clause Of prohibition. He tells us that there a
| no police regulations there. There is slave