The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-28
senator Clsn.n., Of Alabama.

We find from this distinguished senator in the
Southern Advocate which transfer TO our columns as
act Of justice to one who has stood manfuly by the
Constitution and the Union in the recent agitaons at the
South Ii not purpose TO examine in what respects
this may have differed from other statesmen in
his views of the particular measures which compose the
Compromise they became laws. The essential point
is that being laws he recognised the necessity OF exc
cutting them, and frowned upon the schemes which were
recommended to make them cause for destroying the
Union. No southern man has ever maintained that 1t
would not have been best for California to have been
provided with territorial government before her adnis-
sion as State, aad that the question Of slavery, not
within the jurisdiction of Congress, unjasly EN-
ployed TO give political force TO sectional instead OF
national sentiment policy in that respect calculated
to ALLEVIATE one portion OF the Union from the other,
needed not TO be marked by acls plainly and palpa-
bly, unconstitutional 10 awaken apprebenslons for the
safety OF our inst buttons. Hence the motive for a
which would assure the South that that policy
would not be prosecuted any further, and which would
place the North under obligations TO be more scrupuous
in the observance OF that portion Of the national compact
which provided for the surrender Of fugitive slaves-a
measure which would disturb no settled constitutional
principle but would have the effect sdmonish all the
parties 10 system that the condition OF future har-
nony abandonment OF all sectional agitation OF
wisely Withdrawn from the sphere OF federal
thorty To acquesce in such a measure, even il in
some of its details it fell short we believe did, o!
entire Justice to the southern portion OF the Union,
but to manifest tina, spirit of patriotism which incul
Gated by Washington and the early fathers OF the pubc
and il was be expected that the southern people, when
they saw tina, no dshonorabe concession had been
oured of them. would respond, they have done in
terms OF noble confidence and love. Cooperating with
the people Of Alabama in the acceptance OF this measure
intended TO give peace and tranquility to the whole
Try and above all nhe avoidance Of steps which would
have arayed the South agans, the North in The assertion
Of redress inconsistent with and in subvesion OF the
constitution and laws, Mr.. Clemens has performed duty
which we are glad TO know is fully appreciated by his
State
Il would be strange indeed, il for such conduct Mr.
Clemens could be supposed To have essened his claims
10 the support of the democratic party. This would i'm.
ply tha, the Compromise a wing measure, and that
10 acquesce in i, yield TO the wings the right OF
in the possession Of the political power
.ary 10 maintain this acquescence. Such superstition
would do equal violence to truth and justice. That
measure originated in democratic policy, passed
BY majority of democratic votes, has been main.
aimed before the country by democratic constituent
lies. and could not be kept the statute book by
my but democratic congressional support. Every
nan conversant with public affairs knows this TO
De true The defeat OF Johnston in Pennsylvania
II Vnton in Ohio, and the fact that Seward in New
York is the exponent there OF the whg party on this
,ital question: are circumstances which place beyond
av the assertion that the Compromise is only sale in
democratic hands Pitable, mos, p,iabe, would be the
condition of country II any other conclusion could
,e drawn from the elections out OF which formed the
roacbing Congress This body, every one knows will
,e largely democratic in both It's branches What guar
.ntee then can exist for the maintenance of any law
Except that which be offered by this ma ori,y III
We turn our eyes the States as far their legislation
essential to the execution of that compact OF the con.
tituon which provides for the delivery of fugitive
layes there is no other guarantee for the forthcoming of
his leg salion bot in the democratic portion Of them Out
i the hirty-one States of this Union the wings have but
hree or four governors
But without dwelling on the vain attempt OF the whip
ar,y to monopolize the credit of the Compromise il 10
leasing TO see how promptly Mr.. Clemens recognises
he claims of the democratic party 10 his support, Ou
his part of his case he says; ~ am dsmocrathnys
l,pau been so--nepsr can be anything eis-aH nv
,eiag. impulses and eonpions haze that tendency; but
U,ion man also, and do not intend 10 aid IN me
ssrueaon Of The gopsyuneni because those rho ,riA 10
Il ~. J~..,~