The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-05-15
IIr. vcbstcr's Speech i'm as ost ON

We give below, a more correct report
than the one published in our last OF tha,
part of Mr. WEDsTER's late speech in Dos
ton which relates TO the duty of the North
crn States to deliver up fugitive slaves
The sentiments which it breathcs are wor-
thy ofbeing placed away in the store house.
OF every mans memory -lherc to remain
TO instruct fninsiiitl course he should
pursue on all occasions where his own in.
dividual opinlons---his own notions OF NOR
ality. OF justice or right, conflict with the
requirements oflaw. There never per-
haps was nobler sentiment pcnnci than
that which is said TO have been prepared for
the monument intended to be erected over
l.eonidas and his three hundred Spartans
stranger Go and tell the Lacednmonions
and that VIC lie here in obedience to their
laws" The Spartans sacrificed their lives
IN obedience TO the laws Of their Country.
Mr.. WEBSTER asks OF his people a sacr-
ticc only of their prejudiccs:--And will he
succeed We trust that he will. A vote
in the Legislature taken but two days after
the speech was delivered indicates already
a returning sense OF fidelity to truth and
the constitution.
"Sir. have said that this is not an occa-
sion for political discuss ion. confess that
if the time and circumstances guvc an
opportunity. should not be indisposed to
address the people OF NJ ,ssachise,ts direct
ly upon the duty which the present cxigcn-
cics Of affairs has dcvolycd upon her-1,hc
great and glorious Comnonweaith--upo
the duty, al least, which it devoycs upan
those who represent her in the National
Legislature. This will no, be such an op-
porlunty. ! shall have an occasion in my
seat III the Senate, to which shall immeii-
atc!y return, TO give my opinions upon some
topics OF an interesting character-topics
III regard 10 some OF which there exist both
m'ss,atcmcn, and isapprehcnsion-the
greatest miss,a,cment, the greatest mlsap-
prchension--cspccially so lar as | am con-
cerncd may simply mention one OF
these top'cs--,hc delivery OF iugitivcs
from service. With regard to that 1ues-
ton, there exists the greatest prcjudlccs.
the greatest misapprehcns!ons. do not
wonder al the lnisapprchensi0ns; | am well
aware that II is topic which must excite
preJudiccs. can very VOL fell what the
prcjndices arc which 1t must very natural
y bring up IN the minds of the good peo-
pie ni this Commonwealth
"But, Mr.. Curtis and gentlemen, there
are in regard 10 that topic duties absolute
ly incumbent on the Commonwealth; dn-
ties imposed 10y tho Constitution, absolutely
incumbent Oh every person who holds
Office in Massachusetts. Under her own
Constitution aud laws, aud those Of the
Nation, she is bound, and persons are bound
IN the discharge OF their duty; a ,lisa9rcca.
bic duty we call upon her to DISCHARGE.
That duty, MS an affair OF high morals and
OF high principles, we show tn her. and
we ask her to resolve upon the perform
ance OF 1t, though il be disagreeable duty.
Any man can perform an agreeable dutv.
but 1t Is not every man who can perform a
disagrccabsc duty Any man can 10 wha,
is altogether pleasant.
"Thc question now is whether Massachu-
sctts-.w whether the old State Of Massa-
chusetts improved by two centuries OF civil
ration. renowned for her intellectual, char
acter, mighty in her moral power, conspic-
uons before The world, leading State in
THIS conntry--a leading State in the Union
ever since II was Union--lhc question
is, whether Massachusetts will shrink
from, or come to, fair and reasonable and
moderate performance, and no more than
ialr and reasonable and moderate per-
lnrnance, OF hor sworn obligations.
think she will. (Chcers) Sir: The aucs.
ton IS whether Massachusetts will stand
TO The truth against tempta,ion-- whether
she will defend herself against her own
preludces. Sho has conquered everything
else N her time; she has conquered ih!a
Ocean whichwas her shorei she has con-