Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-05-09
nanieI w ebster and the slave
Question.


We have loo recently stated our own view OF
NJ, Webster's position las an independent states
man. belonging to no party but DANIEL WEE
srER's numerically small and intellectually
mighty party,) to be misunderstood in giving this
speech. No statesman has better claim to be
heard than has he: we s0iu hear him, and judge
him as to US it seemeth right.
The burden of this speech is, that he sfdnds
his ground-ke takes no back track. What that
means, as to the slave question generally, is not
very clear to our apprehension. His last Senate
speech goes but little way 10 show what he
will do: when it was uttered, he professed adj
herence to all his old anti-slavery doctrines:
since 1t was uttered, he has declared himself to
be in favor of the admission Of California as an
independent question--he has voted, with Judge
Phelps, generally in favor Of Benton's amend
ments to Foote'S resoution-and be has modi-
fed or corrected his position 20 far as to admit
good degree OF discretion as to :he admission Of
new slave States from Texas. We think be can
improve upon this last topic, by correcting an
error in arithmetic, if not in doctrine. a
Two things remain: and We suppose this Bos-
ton speech means that he will not back out from
these.
The first thing is that the Wilmoi prouiso Is un-
necessary as to New Mexican territory, and there
fore he would not apply it The ground OF his
speech was that Slavery 10 excluded by natural
causes-the climate and condition of the coun-
try,-which may prove true, and may NOT. His
friends say, that he Will also take Mr.. Benton's
ground, that slavery is abolished by the existing
law of the land, and will forever be Prohibited
until established by specific legislation. No
body aeks him to back out from either of these
two principles: the question is, will he go ahsod
and ask Congress distinctly 10 recognize Mems or
at least the last one? If he willard if Con-
gress ,ciu recognize them,-that ends the matter.
Such 4 recognition of fact and law pouid be tan
tomount 10 The Wiimot Prsriso, would exclude
Slary, until some power, state or national. shall
attempt to establish slavery. Then the question
would have to be met anew-and would be met
anew under the most favorable circumstances
That time, however, never can come: slavery
mow is out-just keep il out until states are form
ed, and it never will gel in. Who believes that
the people of any territory, toifaoaf Stare or
stakeholder IN Il, will ever adopt slayocratic
constitution, or admit slssery: The idea is pre-
posterous. We wal, then. 10 see whether MI
Webster will 20 ahead, in the manner we have
indicated. or this point. We believe it is hss
only chance to save himself from the almost u
piye,sal condemnation of free men.
The second thing is, the rendition Of slaves
Mr.. Webster declared in the Senate:
my friend, Mr. Butler,) at the head Of the
Judiciary Committee has bill on the subject
now before the Senate, iriik some 0Rendmenfs %
=. ~i..sa s-easa Ia snonort- With all lis proyls-
iVnr, the fuiiost oxteos"
This may be equivocai, and we certainly hops
tits. II MIR. Webster means that he will sup
port the bill ,ciih some further 0mendnents, the
public can afford to wait to see his amendments
before condemning him. If he means to say
that he will support Mr. Buffers bill with Mason's
amendments, he is condemned already by the u
unanimous verdict of the Legislature of his own
State, and we hope by the unanimous verdict
Of every living soul north Of Mason and Dixon's
line.
We have not published Mr.. Buffers bill, and
therefore take this opportunity to give an alb
stract of it:
Section provides that any person Selling and
claiming slave may apply to any U. s. circuit
or district court, or any clerk, commissioner or
marshal Of such court, or any postmaster, or col
lector Of the customs, and on predicting oral
testimony or affidavit that the person claimed is
his slave, certificate shall be given to him, or
his agent or attorney, which shall be sufficient
warrant for taking and removing the slave to the
State from which he fed. X iiins aa
Section 2 provides that the claimant may sp-
ply TO any officer named above Except the mar
shal, ION bis affidavit or that Of his attorney, or
agent Cor warrant To arrest the slave, which
warrant shall be directed to and served by the
marshal.
Section 3 provides that on the claimants aft
davit that he fears the slave will be rescued by
force, after he has obtained certificate Of tis
right to the slave, the officer Is to take posses.
sion Of The slave and return him, and to employ
- many persons a. is necessary TO perform This
service. s ~ E 2ha
Section4 provides that vher warrant is is.
sued under section 2, it may be issued to any
discreet person 10 be named BY the officer grant
ing it, in case no marshal or deputy marshal is
to be found within ten miles Of the place shere
The warrant 10 Issued.
Section provides that il any person shan
obstruss or hinder the claimant OF his agent 10
paFsuipg the slavs-or shall rescue the slave
from the claimaat-or shall conceai The slave, o.
aid him to escsve, after nosice that be or she
was = fugitive from labor.r sueh person shall for
felt u 900 for esery such oGesee. for the benefit
e the clsimAnt and also Be further liable 70 the
easimsst fdr All, injury doss hin. M e
Section 6 provides hat vhsn slave Is arsss-
- b uazshal, ~ eanrt O. osher officer shall
proceed ths sane - uhsa ths slavs i ssizsd -
Ne clainent sades section 60 : essSEt 1ni
The fsst Il NJ. Nsson's sn,endmeats provides
- addisi0al psaalfy Of 1900 under section
Sss, = for ebstsucting Tie de execution Of he
laws q IL y. 3D. half 70 9 70 ths U. s. and
half % Tie insarnsr,) and slss inpsisounsas for
twelve months. - >isrsl@. &c
Tn oeconi and 1anf afunninnnae # NJ Mn,on