Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-07-12
profit aohetler as agent or Otherwise four hun

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dred dollars -
Here are two others relating to the criminal
jur isprudence of our Republic:
eff any slave shall happen to be slain for re-
fusing to surrender himself or herself contrary
to law, or in unlawfuiiy resisting any officer or
other persons who shall apprehend or endeavor
toapprehend such slave, such officer or other
person, SO killing such slave, shall be indenni-
fed from any prosecution for such killing"
The following relates to Furnishing slaves
guilty of arson:
''when any negro, or other slaue, shall be con-
victsd by confession or verdict of a jury, of any
petit treason, or burning of dwelling houses, it
shall be lawful for the justices, before whom
such conviction shall be, to give judgment against
such negro or other slave TO haze the right hand
cut off, 10 Be hanged IN the usual manner, The head
sepered from The body the body divided into four
quarters, the head and quarters set up IN the most
public place aohere such act aoas conntited.' =
A law, still in force here requires every free
black, or mulatto person, to prove bis freedom,
or be committed to prison and sold for the Jail
fees Citizens of the free States who have con-
.tributed, by their votes, to the election of our
President if their complexion to be dark, are LA
Bile to the penalty of this law, unless they can
produce certificate of their freedom from some
oppressor who has subverted the government OF
God. Yes, under the process OF laws author
lied by this Government, he is liable to be sold
into slavery.
These, sir, are some of the fruits ofnon-agita-
ton Their growth in the very heart of the
Republic, has weakened our political fabric, and
poisoned the moral scnsibilities of the nation.
See the effects on our navy in the degradation of
American seamen, with the dsgraceful "cat !"
Behold our conduct towards the poor Indian.
Watch its effects on the political parties of our
country, and even on our diplomatic relations.
We have employed our greatest talents in en-
deavoring to incorporate into International law
the recognition of slavery, and thereby have dis
graced the Republic in the eyes of Europeans.
We have just terminated the appalling scenes OF
bloody and cruel war, carried on againsta sis
ter Republic that was emerging from state OF
ignorance and superstition, and beginning to
initiate us in self-government-a people who
had been already Sufficiently tortured by politi-
cal temagogues aud military chieftains; and we
are now striving to forge chains of slavery for
present and yet unborn millions by the organi
cation of pro-slavery governments over the terri
tories acquired by that very war. We are ur-
ged to grant new facilities for the arrest of the
painting fugitive, who is seeking for freedom,
aud his return to state of cruel, lifelong bond
age
Mr.. Chairman, these are some of the great
national vices that have justly caused agitation
throughout the whole Confederacy. The at
tention of the American people has been ares
ted by the heroism of noble pioneers in the cause
of the oppressed. They feel deeply grievel at
these outrages committed against their country
men, which demand redress at our hands, and a
guarantee against the future. Yet we are bid
den by distinguished men to hush hush you
must not agitate the country with these fanati-
cal questions ! We are further told that we
hayfa great mission abroad, IN order 10 overt
our minds from wrongs at home! Sir, brand
this cry with hypocrisy. Look at our domestic
despotism. We have drawn a geographical
line, and said, in our statute. books, if any man
shall dare to kidnap and sell his brother on the
one side, he shall be considered pirate, and be
hung ND to the yard-arm: but, on the other, even
in the very heart of the Republic, if he will pay
four hundred dollers year, he may commit tho
worst of piracy with impunty This is Amer
lean law-the law of this GLORIOUS Union, !"
which boasts of justice, its equality, and frater-
nifty. Yes, sir, this, ! am sorry to say, seems
to be our higest conception of moral consistency!
Ame.nbar of this House, mean the gentle
not believe the Union could exist, if the great
body of the northern representatives come here
compla ming that slavery was national disgrace
and moral wrong. Mr.. Chairman, | under
stand that one of the paramount objects, gained
by establishing a Federal Legislature was, free
discussion on all proper subjects of legislation,
directly or indirectly connected with the General
Government, not even excluding the Constltu-
ton itself: and let say, once for ALL that when
free debate, conducted in courteous manner,
with reference to any wrong existing in our COM
mon country, shall tend to dissolve the Union, l
shall be ready to say, let it be dissolved! | shall
not consent to have paddock put upon my lips
under any such plea. A union that is barrier
to free discussion, which is one of the legitimate
means of progress and reform, is a union Of big
otry and superstition /; union of arrogance and
cowardice, alike at war with reason and human
ity. Sir, this silly talk and these threats of dis
solving the Union of these States, is not respect
full to the understanding of the people. The
Union that holds us together is of a much high
er character than slavery. If it were not, my
PRAYER would be that it be blown to the four
winds of heaven! Yes, sir, it is union of in
telligence. 1t is union of consanguinity. 1t
is a union bound with the strong ties of social,
political, and commercial interests. 1t is I'M
lOil WllGTelil IuOIG uiSCuS-
sed, and the wrongs that tend to weaken it are
condemned, the stronger will it be.
Mr.. Chairman, we have heard great deal
said during the last few months, in this Hall, a.
bout settling the difficulties that now agitate
Congress and the country Various projects of
compromise and concessions have been propo-
sed. Why, there is but one way to settle this
matter, and that is to cease to do wrong and
learn to do right. Take off the handouts and
letters, and expunge from our statute books the
barbarous laws that deprive several thousands of
American citizens of their God given rights -
Sir, what would gentlemen think, if their own
dear wives and children were wrested from them
without any charge of crime Could your SYM
pathy be suppressed in order to have the difficult
ty compromised? Would you be willing to
compromise, and feel satisfied to have only part
of your family restored? Or, if it was but one
of your children that was taken, would you be
willing to have that child divideds No, you
would reject any such proposition with indigna-
toni Your affection could not be annihilated
by any legislative act. Neither can the dearest
sympathies of the nations heart be driven out
by any act of Congress. Sir, we appear, like
children, unmndful of the age in which we live,
when we make such foolish propositions
Sir, you may pass your compromise bill
which is well named, because it compromises
the integrity of the American character, while
sacrificing the interests of humanity-and you
may add to it (what will be looked upon by for
eun nations as n bribe) the sum of ten millions