Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-27

THE PRESIDENTS PROCLAMATION AND
MESSAGE
Extracts from the Debate in the Senate, on Friday
and Saturday. Feb. 2lst and 22d.
FRIDAY, Feb. 81.
Mr.. Cray have listened with great satisfaction to
the reading of this Message of the President Its gen.
eral tone and firm resolution announce that he will
~ into effect the execution of the laws of the United
States. 1t ought to be- and trust will be- satisfactory
to every impartial and candid man in the whole com
munty. There is only regret if l were to express
any that fee think the Marshal of Massachusetts
ought to be dismissed, and have very little doubt, al
though not authorized TO say any thing upon the sub
ect, that the President is subeetiug bis conduct to thar
scrutiny which will enable him to satisfactory
conclusion The point OF duty whether he should or
should not dismiss him.
Mr.. HALE. am not disposed to allow this case to
pass without letting it be understood by all who feel
any interest in knowing, how | stand up this ques-
ton. am glad that the document which has peen
read has been sent to us, for and but
1t satisfies most conclusively that the President
thinks ard feels pretty that he is rendering his sd
minstration ridiculous and that his proclamation has
done it, and he sent long laboued essay as I'M
dersand it, to vndicate the propety ofwhat cannot ba
indicated. The idea of the President of the United
States issuing formal proclamation calling upon all
the naval and military force of the Government to
hold themselves in readiness, and all officers and good
citizens every where to defend this great republic
aga INST handful of negroes in Boston do not know
how strikes others, but to my mind is ridiculous in
the extreme, and am determined as far as con-
cerned, wIhave no part nor lotin it. Any body
that wants to magnify this into great affair has my
We are bringing discredit aud con-
tempt upon whole system Of Government by under
taking to do anything of this Is there any serious
fear in the mind Of any body that the laws of the land
cannot be executed in Massachusetts II there is sir
they cannot quiet these Tears by any such proceedings
these. But looking upon the whole subjec, as en-
tirey misplaced, misconceved ill judged, impoltic.
improper, inudicous and weak shall be opposed to
any thing except the most quiet mode in which it can
possibly be got rid Of What that is, do not preten
to say.
Mr.. MASON take issue with the Senator from
Kentucky, declaring in my place here, far ss
formed that the law OF the las session Intended re-
qure the ulhlment of this obligation, not dead letter.
has answered the ends for which it was designed
Sir agree with the honorable Senator that SO far as
have bsen able to comprehend the message of the Pres
ident it his purpose, be in his power to have that
law executed. That is duty devo ved upon him by his
high office, and one that am perfectly willing to be-
lieve he will execute if he But think the expert
ence OF the country, far under this law, shows he
cannot Sir it may venture TO say with the respect
which becomes me in my place here, with the relation
bear to that functonary, be did not begin Alright in the
first instance which occurred in the city of Boston-ths
case OF the Crafts.
My recollection of that case is, that the claimant
found that although the law then to be resisted
by force, 1t was to be resisted by illusion, delays, and
prevarcaton and when that brought to his know
ledge by communication from an agent then prosecu-
ting his claim, he applied to the President who inform
ed him, as the public press announced, that he could
not act upon mere newspaper reports; that something
hke evidence OF neglect on the part OF the officers
should be brought home before ne could act. The
history OF that shows that the fugitive slaves, the
Crafts escaped from their master in that instance by the
delays and prevarications of those whom the admin
stration of this law had been entrusted 1t was the
duty of the President if sufficient evidence was nofur.
nshed TO him, TO have called upon the officers of the
law at once TO furnish that evidence and to have dis
missed the marshal when he found that these deayshad
taken place. But he dd not do it. do not mean to
say he was conscious of any neglect of duty do
ing it, but do mean 10 say that if that law ever be
eftectuay enforced for the preservation Of this property
when gets abroad it must be enforced with alacry
with zeal, with cordiaity they would enforce law
of their own. 1t must be enforced in accordance with
the desire OF the people, where the law be admin
stered to carry it into execution They must aid and
assist, and countenance and encourage those who go
there to recover their property, and must not throw all
sorts OF resistance difficulties, and obstacles in their
way.
Mr.. CAss. Mr. President, have listened with pa
thence 10 this discussion. There great deal to ex-
lite the indignation OF the Senator from Kentucky ind
concur in much that he has said. With respect to the
the honorable Senator from Virginia. no part ofmy
business to defend it; it has able and jealous friends
enough on this oorto do that; but owei to truth and
candor to say that, far understand the measures
of the President, approve them and believe he is
determined to do his duty firmly 10 respect to this law;
and as one member OF the Senate will say that it the
law is detective, arm willing to cothe him with any
necessary power within the limits of the Constitution
am prepared to do that.
Mr.. Clay. The law has been executed, as far a. we
know in every tree State in the Union in which it has
been brought into operation. with the sole exception of
the city OF Boston, That being the case, think there
is just ground of reproach whatever towards the Ex
ecutive Of the nation. am happy TO the Senator
from Michigan, though standing 10 different political
reat to the President, do him the justice which he
has done this day by the dec araon OF opinion which
he has MADE Sir; am perfectly satisfied, from all l
know oil the President and his Cabinet that there is
most perfect and immoveable determination to carry
INTO execution the laws OF the land. and employ all
The means In their power in order to accomplishit.
SATURDAY, FEB %.
Mr.. Downs do not preten TO say whether in this
instance the President has acted wisely or not in the
present state OF the question 1t not with that view
that adverted TO it at ALL but that in the very
fact that the President OF the United States has deemed
necessary TO suggest thatthe army and navy should
be brought in to carry out this law in which the South
js so much interested in the fact that Northern Pres
dent, with Northern first officer OF The Cabinet upon
question OF this kind should consider their obligations
to the constitution and the South, while perhaps some
IN that quarter OF the Union would not have
deemed it necessary; SO far, say, from considering
this evil it OF the best connected with
this question 1t says to the South, mol in plain words
but by acts that may with safety and confidence rely
upon the fact that the authority vested in the President
to carry into effect the consti tuition and laws in hich
we are interested, will be employed, and that therefore
you ought to wait patiently to give fair opportunity
tor its execution.
Mr.CLEMENs / have no personal knowledge OF
what may be the public sentiment of Massachusetts,.
do not know whether that sentiment will aid or oppose
proper officers In the execution OF the law and
do not greatly care. They may have as many alb.
stract theories about the sin OF slavery they please
but it they attempt TO reduce those theories practice
contrary 10 law, they will find that this Government
has the power as it assuredy has the will to enforce
the execution of any act OF Congress in any State OF
this coniederacy, while it remains member of the
Union; and no matter what may be public opinion ia
Boston, any where else it must bend to the public
opinion of the republic. The Senator from Massaehu
settles minated on yesterday that the President had
acted somewhat hastily in this matter. Sir, the Sena-
tor would be right this mere case OF the rescue
of person charged with murder--wilh any other elo-
ny-wth any thing, save beng runaway slave But
it must be reeoleced that this is a subject upon which
the people of one half of the States Of this Union ee
deep and absorbing interest. 1t must be recoIected
that every arrest OF fugitive is watched with intense