Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-12-11

and the foundations of both wings are now near +
ly complete.
again commend loyour favorable regard the
interests OF the District of Columbia, and deem
it only necessary to remind you, that alVhough /
its inhabitants have no voice in the choice OF |
in Congress, they are not the
less entitled to Just and liberal consideration |
in your legislation. My opinions on lh's SUB.
ect were more fully expressed 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 one
of more than ordinary interest to which again
invite your especial attention. | allude to the
recommendation for the appointment OF corr
mission to settle private claims against the UNI
ted States. Justice to individuals as well as to
the Government imperatively demands that some
more convenient and expeditions mode than an
appeal to Congress should be adopted.
1t is deeply to be regretted that in several in
stances officers of the Government, in attempt
ing to execute the law for the return OF ugltives
from labor, have been openly resisted, and their
efforts frustrated aud defeated by lawless and
violent mubs; that IN one case such resistance
resulted in the death of an estlmable citizen,and
IN others serious injury ensued to those officers
and 10 individuals who we're using their endea-
vors to sustain the laws. Prosecutions have
been instituted against the alleged offenders, so
far as they could be identified, and are sill pen
ding. have regarded it as my duty, IN these
cases, to give all aid legally in my power to the
enforcement of the laws, and shall continue to
do so wherever and whenever their execution
!. may I've resisted.
The act of Congress for the return Of fugi-
tves from labor is one required and demanded BY
: The express words of the Constitution
; The Constitution declares, "1'hat no peTsnn
held 10 service or labor in one State, Under tho
; laws thereof, escaping into another, SHALL IN
consequence of any law or regulation therein,
be discharged from such service or labor, but
shall be delivered up on claim of the party to
whom such service OF Dor may be due" This
constitutional provision is equally obligatory
upon the Legislative, the Executive. and Judi.
cal Departments Of the Government, and upon
every citizen Of the United Suites.
Congress, however, must from necessity, fl st
J act upon the subject, by prescribing the procee
? dings necessary to ascertain that the person IN
2 fugitive, and the means TO be used for his res
tOraton to the cltimant This was done BY an
= act passed dming the first term of President
4 Washington, which was amended by that enac
y ted by the last Congress, and 1t now remains for
/, the Executive and Judicial Departments TO take
r care that these laws be faithfully executed
This injunction of the Constitution is as peremp-
f tory and as binding as any other; it stands ex-
actly OH the same foundation as that clause
j. which provides for the return Of fugl'ives from
Justice, or that which declares that no bill OF at
e tanGcr or er post .fdctO law shall be passed, or
c that which provides for an equality of taxation,
- according to the census, or the clause declaring
r that all duties shall be uniform hrou ghout the
If United States or the important provision that
e the trial OF all crimes shall be by jury. These
, several articles and clauses of the Constitution
! all resting on the same authority must nd or
i fall together. Some objections have been urged
J. against the details of the act for the return of
n the fugtives from labor; but it is worthy OF re-
i mark that the main opposition is aimed against
the Constitution itself, and proceeds from per-
l. sons and classes Of persons, many of whom de
o clare their wish to see that Constitution ov ar
+ turned. They avow their hostility to any law
d which shall give full and practical effect to this
t requirement OF the Constitution. Fortunately,
II the number OF these persons Is comparatively
:. small, and is believed to be daily diminishing,
: but the issue which they present is one which
: involves the supremacy and even the existence
= of the Constitution.
Gases have heretofore arisen in which individ-
g uaIs have denied the binding authority of acts
of Congress and even States have proposed to
nuhty such acts upon the ground that the Con
stllutiun was the supreme law OF the land, and
that those acts Of Congress were repugnant 10
a.. that instrument; hut notification is now aimed,
: not SO much against particular laws as being
I inconsistent with the Constitution, as against
md q at q
guised that spirit exits and has been actively
q ut work to render asunder this Union, which is
v our cherished inheritance from our reyoIutiona-
e ry fathers.
II In my last annual message stated that con-
: sdered the series OF measures, which had been
- adopted at the previous session, in reference to
i the agitation growing out of the Territorial and
s slavery questions, as final settlement in princi
+ pie and substance Of the dangerous and exciting
subjects which they embraced; and | recon-
I mended adherence to the Adjustment establish
. ed by those measures, until tlme and experience
= should demonstrate the necessity Of further le-
QlSatlon to guard against evasion or abuse |
was not induced to make this recommends ion
5 because thought those measures perfect, for no
! human Legislation can be perfect. Wide differ
: enceS and larrlng opinions can only ne recon-
2 cled by yielding something on all sides, and
Y this result had been reached alter an angry con-
4 flct of many months, in which one part Of the
country was arrayed against another aud VIC.
lent CONFUSION seemed to be imminent. Look.
/ ing at the interests of the whole country, felt
II to be my duty to sei'e upon this Compromise
as the best that could be obtained amid contlc
e ting interests, and TO insist upon 1t as a final
settlement, to be adhered to by all who value the
peace and welfare Of the country. A year has
I now elapsed since that recommendation was
made. TO that recommendation still adhere,
and congratulate you and the country upon the
b general acquiescence in these measures OF peace
e which has been exhibited IN all parts Of the re-
z public. And not only is there this general &C
D quescence in these measures, but the spirit of
Cancellation which has been manifested in re-
gard IN them in all parts of the country, has re
) moved doubts and uncertainties in the minds of
thousands of good men concerning The durabil-
lty Of our popular institutions, and given renew
. ed assurance that our Liberty and our Union
may subsist together for the bene It OF this and
: all succeeding generations.
} WILLARD FILLMORE.
l WAsHINGToN, December 2, 1851.