The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-14

The following 10 that portion of the message .
Governor Brown, TO the Legislature OF Florida,
touching the slavery question and The Fugitive slave
law;-
Congress, after unprecedented delay and diff
Guilty, succeeded IN adopting plan OF compromise.
Ii wss not such as 10 meet the just expectations Of
the people of the States but considering that II Is
not often incidental to award uy to CRAFTY both
or either Of the parties, and that no surrender OF
constitutional principle was demanded we were dls
IL should be carried out in hearty good faith by the
other sections Of the contederacy. This reasona.
bic expectation, am led TO fear, ny recent ndica-
tione, may be doomed TO disappointment The ink
is scarcely dry upon the parchment OF the compro-
mise before the threat TO repeal the bill for the re-
covery Of fuguves is heard from sources which
leave litie room 10 doubt that earnest effort m
about to be made in Congress to wipe from tn
tute book bill whose only office was to at
people fthe non-slaveholdIng States the opp Hay
TO perform, or to aequiesce in the peri tnce
Of q constitutional duty. Passed, as II ... Dy
an actual minority of the popular branch OF Con-
gress, il seems to me little likely to Withstand, In
that body, the storm Of oslum which has beem
raised against il, unless great and unexpected
change in an apparently dominant Northera OPT
Mon shall take place. While II affords sincere
qualification to believe that disposition exists with
the federal administration and majority OF the
Senate of the United States TO maintain the COM
Pre- mises Of the Constitution, we are painfully re-
minded that unless the turbid and swollen tide Of
fanaicism he stayed by The people themselves. all
is surer than that this government must eyentu.
ally furnish faithful reflection OF Tire established
opinion OF a popular majority, and this tact con-
sidered in connection with the manifestations VI
Northern sentiment upon their obligations under
the federal compact, justine serious concern for
the perpetuy OF the Union The repeal or essen
tial modification of the law for the recovery of fu-
giive slaves will, in my Judgment De 'an,amount
ness Of our Northern brethren longer ~ ABIDE BY
the constitution of the United States. IL not Sc
rousy commended that this law Is an abuse, or vo-
lative Of any constitutional right The only ra-
tionel objecnon which can be urged against II, 10
hat II is like y 10 accomplish. with some degree Of
Efficacy, the object tor which II was enacted-tho
restoration Of fugitive slaves TO their nghdul own
eTs. Without constitutional proyisi stringenty
enforcing this duty, and fully securing this right
Is matter of historical truth that the Union could
never have been formed and equally true 1t is,
that the Union cannot endure practical repudia-
ton OF this plain consti right and duty IN
the repeal or emancipation Of Law des'goed 10
cure snd enforce H. Ii Is idle 10 contend that This
cry Of repeal or amendment has any Foundation in
The provsiors Of the law, except in 30 far they
hamohlze and cooperate with the provisions of
the constitution. Its repeal, therefore, is prac-
iicel r. pudiation Of that instrument
Such an event would leave US no alternative,
compatible with national unity; for IL seems to
me there can be no reason so Ignsmioious as that
which should acquiesce IN violated Constiiu t,oa
-nole more fatal To the cause of civil hbeTy
throughout the world-none more runous in It's
ultimate consequences 10 Ourselves and posterity.
Should the General Assembly concur with me,
the next regular session viii not take place
al 1852, invite you, If You think proper, to su-
III rome the Executive, by law or resolution, in the
event OF the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave ball, or
the contamination OF any other aggressive meas
ure at his discretion to proclaim and conyoke a
Convention OF the people OF this State, at
sutb time as may compou with harmonious
action with our sister states OF the South,
for the purpose Of dcvising remedy. Ii u with
ineIpfestbIe pain that the General Assembly aud
Exc cuye must contemplate any contingency in
Ieriling the stability IL government which has
in general, 60 well and so wisely discharged its
great functions, aud which, like come proud
monument touering 10 its fall, seems 10 inspire
deeper sense Of grandeur, at the apparent threat
ening Of catastrophe; and while It msnaces our
safety, 10 call forth a more poignant sympathy
and vivid recollt ction OF the many grateful anf
hallowed associations which cluster AROUND IT, 1
can only add the hope, that a Kind Providence,
which watched over our natural infancy, and
sverttd go meny perils may yet extend protect
ing arm, and save from the calamtics of DIS
union. THOMAS BROWN.