The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-20

II was not necessary, say again, that he should
have made this known 10 Us. We know him
to be an agitat0r before, by many and unmis-
taxable tokens; but We had hoped, from his
having demeaned himself during the present
session Of Congress with much greater quietude
and gentleness than formerly, that he had to
some extent come to the conclusion that the
business OF agitation was, for him, rather an I'M
profitable one, and that it would be decidedly
better for man Of genius, like himself and of
no little intellectual promise, to pursue differ
cnt vocation altogether. But it seems that we
were mistaken in this. II seems that he is re-
solutely determined to agtate hereafter as here
tofore; for tie says that agitation il about the
most useful aud glorious occupation that can
possibly be exercised, in connection with all
those matters which concern the dignity and
welfare OF man on earth. think, indeed, that
he has almost minated to us that the Saviour
OF the world was an agitator, although am GER
tainly of opinion that there was a mildness ard
moderation, II godlike dignity and majestic
serenity about him, which as little conported
with the violence and declamatory ferceness of
the real agitator of this poor world Of ours as
can well he conceived of. According to my poor
judgment, there was but little Of the true spirit
of agitation In his noble sermon upon the Mount
but placid dignity, gentle and affectionate
responsiveness, which one Of your fierce and
numbering agitators would find it difficult either
to understand or to initiate beg the senator
from New Hampshire to read the Scriptures Il
little more attentively, and to act upon the pure
models Of genuine bencyolence and apostolic
wisdom, and think that he will be no longer
known as an agitatOr.
But it seems that the gentleman cannot re-
strain that disposition to agitate which is native
to him. Well, sir, we do we'll know that there
Is a class OF men, who have been more or less
known in all ages of the world, who seem to be
so organized by nature as to make it their sin
evitable destiny" to seek rather TO be propaga-
tors Of discord and stirrers up of strife than up
holders Of quiet and maintainers of order; who
are always seeking to convulse and disturb the
society with which hey stand connected, instead
OF endeavorng to propagate peace and to difuse
the calm and kindly sentiments of true brother
hood on earth who, in fact, are always most
unhappy if they cannot involve everybody else
in trouble and confusion. These persons are
fecitousy described by the poet who thus
writes:
"But quiet to quick bosoms il a hell,
And there hath been thy bane; there is fire
In its own narrow being, but aspire
Beyond the fitting medium Of desire;
And, but once kindled, quenches evermore,
Preys upon high adventure, nor can tire
or aught but rest--a fever at the core,
Fatal to him who bears, to all who ever bore.
"This makes the madmen who have made n en-
BY their contagion; Conquerors and Kings,
Founders Of secfs and systems, to whom add
SorHIsrs, BARDs, STATESMEN, all unquiet things
Which stir too strongly the souls secret springs
And are themselves the fools to those they fool;
Envied, yet how uneviable what stings
Are thine! One breast laid open ,cere a school
Which ,rould unteach mankind the lust to shine on
rule.
"Their breath is AGITATION, and their life
A storm wherein they ride, to sink at last,
And yet so nursed and bigoted to strife,
That should their days, surviving perils past
M cit to calm twilight, they feel overcast
With sorrow and suplneness, and so die;
Even as fame unfed, which runs to waste
With It's own Pickering, or sword laid by
Which eats into itseg, and rusts ingloriously,"
| But | rose for much graver purpose The
honorable senator from New Hampshire has
| thought proper to speak of this particular law as
operating differently in different States of the
| Union. think there is but little foundation fol-
what the honorable senator hls said upon this
| point But, inasmuch as he has singled out par
| tcular case, which has recently occurred in the
city of Boston concerning which happen to know
something, feel bound to make some expIana-
ton which am about to give, that what fell
from the senator's lips may not have that injuri.
GUS and mschevous effect which it would be 9th
erwise calculated to produce.
The senator has told us what has recently hap.
pened in the city of Boston, although have seen
Geographic communication which was forwarded
to the Secretary of State, which harmonzes in ali
substantial particulars with the statement found in
the New York Herald this morning All the
members of this body may not be aware tina,
what the senator has stated is actually true, and
that an armed mob Of about two thousand black
men have actually broken into a room where there
was an alleged fugitive slave in state Of confne.
ment, under the care Of ministerial officers Of the
court, and have violently rescued him under cir
cumslances of great agSravation, and removed
HIM; SO that, presume, he has been by this tim
carried of IN triumph to the British dominions
1t is most astounding circumstance, and regret
that the honorable senator has referred to it, but
being an agltator, suppose he thought it his duty
to do it. feel bound to say, though do not
speak specially by authority, that deemed it i'm
portant to have recourse to the proper source for
information to what was likely to be the action
of this government upon the subject; and with
out being authorized, l say again, to speak for
the government specially in regard to Lis matter
feel bound to give this formal assurance, that
the government WILL without any hesitation, do
its duty, and it's whole duty, in unfolding and en-
forcing the Constitution and laws, and that this
particular law will be carried out as efficiently as
any law upon the statute book.
MIR. COOPER. As shall be called upon to
vote ON the pending motion, desire to make an
explanation IN reference to the vote which shall
give. will state in the outset, however that |
am opposed to all agitation here or elsewhere on
the subject Of the fugitive slave law. do no,
concur In the recommendation made by the sena-
tor from New Hampshire (Mr. HALE) to agi,ate
to keep up the strife and bitterness which have
pervaded the country too long already. IF my
recommendation would be of avail Lere, and could
be heard and responded to beyond these walls, it
would be that all agitation should cease; that har
mony and good feeling between the different sec
tons Of the Union shall be cultivated; and tina,
anywhere obedience to the Constitution and laws
should be inculcated and acted upon. do not
believe in the virtue of agitation and excitement
at any time. The senator has told us that everv
great good is achieved by agtaton; and that It
was by agitation that impulse WINS given to the
revolution in the beginning. Sir, out fathers de-
liberated, resolved, and acted; but they did not