The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-10
cITY OF wAsHNGroN TUESDAY MORNING pEcEMBER 10 1850


power Of the government until the question should be
settled The Texas Legislature was holding special ses
sion and devsing for raising several regiments oil
troops 10 be marched to Santa Fe Thus were matters
rapidly approaching the crisis OF civil war; the end OF
which, when once commenced. no one could foresee
But there was much more now TO excite attention in
the general aspect OF affairs The Nashville Convention
had been held composed OF representatives from nearly
every southern State and many oil them hal been sent
there, not by excited popular conventions, but in pursu
ance oi special State legislation That convention had
issued its address to the country, which Mr. Webster,
the floor OF the Senate. pronounced "dsunion argu-
menl and had adjourned to meet again after the adjourn
ment of Congress.
Besides, Sonth Carolina il was known, was quite ripe
for secession, and was waiting only for southern sup
port Geoga-even the patriotic State OF Georgia. which
had stood BY Jackson and the Union in former days Of
talhad at last yielded to the pressure OF agitation
s legislature bad declared her settled hostility to the
admission OF California and the passage OF the Wilmo
as %os ;osa IN
the happening OF either OF those events
There another feature in Congress that could not
fail 10 aact the attention Of the trends OF adjustment
and Of the Unonthe progress Of extreme but opposite
opinions opinions which were not in themselves iden
cal with disunion but which, being utterly irreconca-
BILE, il persisted in, must necessarily lead disunion
cannot say THAI at the opening OF the session. there
dsunionist in Congress Even Mr. Calhoun was highly
offended at an expression Of senator which he under
stood as intima,ing that he was disunionst do not
wish or deem il proper for here TO reflect upon any
portion Of the honorable body OF which am now a
members yet do deem i proper to declare that since the
alarming progress in that body well amongst the
people. These opinions 80 extreme but opposite
that they could never be reconced without concession
and compromise There were the nothern extreme and
the southern extreme, both OF which were wide apart
as the poes and yer both in Congress tor many months
Joined hands and votes against the compromise measures
as scheme Tor adjusting all the difficult questions, and
restoring peace and harmony 10 the country
AS Tor myself, was but young and humble member
OF the body My influence might not proceed beyond my
own vote but felt even that to be solemn responsible
Ity, when believed, did, that 10 lis own extent at
eas il might be vote for against the preservation of
the constitution and the Union Between the friends of
the compromise measures from the North and South,
there an implied faith that they would sustain them
all in their essential features Without such implication
It is well known they could never have passed :,
Under such circumstances what was my duty Was
il to vote with those whose opinions and practice. II
not designing, least as thought. fast tending to
dissolution oil the Unon Was il TO vote with either ex-
IRENE No. | would not, could not do it owed it
TO my honor TO sustain in good faith the entire series Of
measures in their substantial features owed il TO my.
soDs as 10 the future; yes owed Il TO my conscience
to my 0ath 10 my COUNTRY, 10 pursue such course
honght would best restore peace and harmony 10 di-
vided people, avert the dangers OF civil war; and per-
peiuae the Union with its unnumbered blessings de.
termned 10 do what thought my duty nation
al representative regardless OF personal consequences
and the consciousness OF having been actuaed by the
most sacred OF all wishes and motives, is 10 ample
defence against the deiracion and caumny which have
recently been lavshed upon Inc without measure.
Nine months OF angry discussion rolled away before
the first OF the compromise measures finally passed the
House of Representatives, The others speedily followed
and their passage attended with such spontaneous
ouburst OF public rejocings before had been
witnessed al the Capitol Heartfelt congratulations
bands OF music, public professions. popular meetings and
addresses in the streets, bones. and The firing OF can.
testified 10 the common JOY; all seemed 10 speak out
THE Us,os Is NOW saFE" Even many rejoiced who
had steadily oppose the adjustment measures. The
country reioced The leading public journals OF opposite
political parties reoiced with congratulations 10 their
eaders and was 10 me source oil personal satisiac
ton and PRIDE thai but few, any, testified more strongly
their appreciation than those OF my own district and
State,
But now the scene has suddenly changed and the thea
tire of nu6cation has been transferred from oihes
ourselves We cannot shut eyes to the fact, that
fresh storm OF agitation has come upon u.s. which. IL not
stayed, threatens most seriously the contnuance OF the
republic. The patriotic and inspiring language which
Jackson once addressed 10 others, his spirit now ad
dresses US; and the friends OF peace and fraternity
the Union aH
Amongst The measures OF adjustment was one for the
eecual surrender OF fugitive slaves according 10
the requirements oil the constitution II was well under
stood that such bill should pass, as part Of the system
oil peace The constitution OF the United States
tart. 4, y declares that iugves from service or
labor "daH be dsi,vertd up cidim Of ne P1rfy TO
uiom sud @ruiee or labor may be due" Not may DC.
but SHALL be delivered up" II the language IL does
not SIMPLY confer upon Congress power, Dut commands
aud makes il the duty OF Congress 10 act upon The sub
ect and such laws as may efectualy fulh the re-
quremeni OF the constitution.
The constitution, however is not The only source to
which we may apply Tor instructions and authority upon
the subject lhe ordinance oil l7ST has Freiy Dten Ire
quently invoked high authority upon other Subjects
and by many who advocating absolute repeal
OF the law to which slude. In regard TO fugitive
constitution pertains the subject; and here
TO be found what has been recently called the Wmot
Provso resting side by sae, Ia the same bed and same
paragraph rih por'"on for ne surrender ofJag,-
fiUe ddres. 9s..e .et Is.
Ordinance OF i7s7 article There shall be neither
slavery involuntary servtude in said territories, 9th
than in the punishment OF crimes whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted: Prouded. acays, That
any person escaping into the same, from whom labor
service lawfully claimed in any one Of the original
Slaies such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed, and con-
veyed 10 the person claiming his or her labor or service
as aforesaid T"
II was In accordance with this provision OF the orl
nance OF i7s7 and that OF the constitution from which
passed and approved by Washington. This law might
have been sufficient for It's purposes. had lie execution not
been obsiucted. Bat is well known that certain ind
viduas at the North comparatively few In numbers en-
terainng extreme opinions upon the subject oil slavery
have thrown such obstacles In the way OF lie execution
that has proved Intellectual for its designs This led 10
earnest complaints by the South. thai the constitution
was practically nulfed in regard to this subject and the
recent act OF Congress is amendment 10 the law Of
I793 designed eectusly TO carry out Its principles, and
in good faith comply with the requirement oil the cons
tuition II originates no principle in respect TO the
liberty OF the person claimed slave The essential
much as by the law Of 1898, the claimant was author
ized TO arrest and seize his fugitive slave by force and
without process whist The law Of 1880 authorizes legal
proceedings In the rs instance SEIZURE by force, even
legal cannot but be repugnant 10 our feelings, and
resort the forms Of law was considered more in ac