The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-02

again commend TO your favorable regard the
interests Of the District OF Columbia, and deem IL
only necessary to remind you, that although its
inhabitants have voice In the choice Of represen-
tatiyes in Congress- they not the iess entitled TO
lust and liberal consideration in your legislation
NV opinions ON this subject were more fully ex-
pressed in my last annual communication
Other subjects were brought TO the attention OF
Congress in my last annual message, to which
| would respectfully refer. But there was ono
Of more than ordinary interest TO which again
invite your special attention. l allode TO the
recommendation for the appointment VI com
mission to settle private claims against the
United States. Justice TO individuals as well as
to the Government imperativey demands that
some more convenient and expeditions mode than
an appeal to Congress should be adopted.
It ia deeply to be regretted that in several in
stanccs officers of the Government. in attempting
TO execute the law for the return Of fugtiyes from
labor, have been openly resisted, and their efforts
frustrated and defeated by lawless and violent
mobs; that in case auch resistance resulted in
the death Of estimable citizen, and in others Sc
rious injury ensued 10 those officers and to indi-
yiduals who were using their endeavors to sustain
the laws Prosecutions have been instituted against
tie alleged offenders, go far they could be identi-
fed, and still pending. have regarded II as
my duty, in these cases, to give all aid legally
in my power to the enforcement OF the laws, and
I shall continue to do 80 wherever and whenever
their execution may be resisted.
The act Of Congress for the return Of fugitiyes
from labor is required and demanded by the
express words Of the Constitution.
service or labor in one State, under the laws there
Of, escaping into another, shall, in consequence Of
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from
such service or labor, but shall be delivered up
claim Of the party to whom such service or labor
may be due" This constitutional provision is
equally obligatory upon the Legislative, the Execu
tive, and Judicial Departments the Government,
and upon every citizen Of the United States.
Congress, however, must, from necessity, first act
upon the subject, representing the proceedings
cessary ascertain that the person is fugitive and
the means to be used for his restoration the claim
ant. This was done by an act passed during
the first term Of President Washington, which was
amended by that enacted by the last Congress, and
it now remains for the Executive and Judicial De
partments TO take that these laws be faithfully
cASSu'Su' AHin ihJuuStloh VI tue SoHsttudOu Is US
peremptory and as binding as any other; it stands
exactly the same foundation as that clause
which provides for the return offugitives from jus
tice, that which declares that no bill of attainder
post faeto law shall be passed, or that which
provides for equality Of taxation, according to
the census, the clause declaring that all duties
shall be uniform throughout the United States,
the important provision that the trial Of all
crimes shall be by jury. These several arti-
cles and clauses Of the Constitution, all rest
ing on the came authority, must stand or fall
together. Some objections have been urged
against the details Of the act for the return of f-
gitives from labor but il is worthy of remark that
the main opposition is aimed against the Constitu-
ton itself, and proceeds from persons and classes
Of persons, many Of whom declare their wish to
that Constitution overturned. They avow
their hostility to any law which shall give full and
practical effect TO this requirement of the Consti.
tuition. Fortunately, the number of these persons
is comparatively small, and lie believed to be daily
diminishing, but the issue which they present is
one which involves the supremacy and even the
existence Of the Constitution.
Cases have heretofore arisen in which indiyidu
ais have denied tho binding authority of acts Of
Congress, and even States have proposed TO null.
lify such acts, upon the ground that the Constitu
ton was the supreme law Of the land and that
those acts OF Congress were repugnant to that in.
strumcnt; but notification is now aimed not 40
much against particular lava as being inoonsist.
ent with the Constitution, as against the Const
tuition itselG and II is not to be disguised that
spirit exists and has been actively at work TO rcnd
asunder this Union, which IL our cherished inheri.
lance from our revolutionary fathers.
In my last annual message I stated that con-
sidered the series Of measures, which had been
adopted at the previous session. in reference 10 the
agitation growing out OF the Territorial and ala.
very questions, as final settlement in principle
and substance Of the dangerous and exciting sub.
jcots which they embraced; and recommended adj.
hercnoc TO the Adjustment established by those
measures, until time and experience should de-
monsirste the necessity Of further Legislation 10
guard against evasion or abuse was notinduoed
TO make this recommendation because 4 Thought
those measures perfect, for no human Legislation
can be perfect. Wide differences and iarripr opin.
ions can only be reconeiled by yielding something
on all sides, and this rcsult had been reached after
an angry conflict Of many months in which one
part OF the country was arrayed against another
and violent CONFUSION seemed 10 be Imminent
Looking at the interests Of the whole countrv
ielt Il to be my duty TO seize upon this Com.
promise as the best that could be obtained amid
conflicting Interests. and to insist upon 8, as nal
settlement to be adhered to by all who value Inc
peace and welfare Of the country. A year ha.
now elapsed since that Accommodation was made.
To that recommendation ! still adhere, and con.
graduate you and the country upon tho gene.
raj aoquiescence in these measures Of peace.
which has been exhibited In all parts OF tho Re.
public. And not only Is there this general aeoui.
escence in thcsc measures, but the spirit Of con.
Citation which has been manifested In regard n
them in all parts Ofthe country has removed doubts
and uncertainties in the minds Of tboos,nas Of
good men concerning the durability of our popular
institutions and given renewed assurance that our
her nd nsr ITnto.