Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-01

which the pubic preparing acius"y
sgated by the emissaes Of Great Britain And the nrs
thing know Of call will be made to the British minister
to know whether not the Government OF Great britain
toleates any such thing Once for ell say It IS utterly
idle. There is no wrath of man which can blow TINS
into any thing that is worthy Of the parade that made
about it. It is of the simplest and most Isolated
affairs that occurred; momentary Impulse 70 sue
cessfu resistance toaw It has been Done 10 every eixi
lzed community and In every State of the Union probably,
and will so long mankind continue to be what they
now ae And upon every such occasion such parade as
this is made il will bring the Government into contempt
You will make the whole body OF the people dsus' he en-
cency Of the Government in its regular operation Instead
of YOU weaken instead Of giving respect
take it away instead Of adding strength, you but make
weaker and weaker II is for this reason that utterly
opposed to taking any further notice Of this matter II the
constituted authorities Of Boston shall advise the President
that there is shade Of doubt that they competent
~ out the laws then, and not till them will it be time for
to interfere
To this discussion There great deal to excite the indg
nation Of the Senator from Kentucky and concur in much
that he has said With respect TO the Of the Admin
istraon which condemned by the honorable Senator from
vgina it is part Of my business defend il has able
and jealous friends enough this floor to do that but
it truth and cando say that far understand the
the President approve them, and believe he is
determined do his duty firmly in respect this law and
as one member of the Senate will say that if the law is de-
fectve willing cothe him with any necessary power
within the limits Of the constitution. prepared to do
that.
remarks of the Senator from Virginia, (Mr MAsos.) He
will permit me say that any good that will
suit from that strain Of observation do not any use in
member of this Senate getting up and announcing TO the
public that The law will not be executed II does no good
and believe myself one, that the Senator is totally mis-
taken. Why will it not be executed The Senator from
Virginia and the Senator from Massachusetts, the other day,
seemed both say that public opinion against it. The
Senator from Massachusetts says that will openly be
sisted, but it would not be executed.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,. | made use of no such
language. expressed opinion that the law would not be
executed.
Mr.. CAsS. If / did not very much misapprehend the
honorable Senator bis remark that when public opinion
against the law, decidedly useless expect its
ecuon, and that public opinion against it In his own
State
Mr.. DAVIS of Massachusetts,. Nothing of the kind.
expressed no such opinion.
Mr.. CAsS gentleman near me informs me that the
Senator from New Hampshire (Mr HALEY uttered this opin
ion. thought the Senator from Massachusetts, but
at any rate think apparent, from what said by the Sc
from Massachusetts, that the m,ral sentiment Of the
country was in bis section of against the law. Why does
the honorable Senator from Virginia say it will not be
cuted For two reasons, far understood him
legal and resulting from the state Of public opinion.
That there laws the statute book of Massachusetts,
that should have been there and which should be wiped
away instantly, who loves the constitution of his
country and wishes the pepetuaon Of the Unon doubt
for single moment. They ought to be expunged. But
those laws will interfere with the laws Of the United States
So far they unconstitutional they have legal exist
'
laws. The judiciary will condemn Them and laws
will be executed. So far the laws Of Massachusetts,
CONSTITUTIONAL matter in what spirit they may have been
passed, have right legislators here to call them in
question We may condemn the motive but far as
specs Massachusetts, she make such laws she thinks
proper within her limits cononnaty to the constitution
Of the United States and the constitution Of that State.
surprising that any be found within
sight Of Faneuil Hail. that old Cradle of American Liberty,
who would hesitate for sweep forever from the
statute book laws framed in such spirit and leading to such
onsequences.
Again. why cannot this law be executed The honorable
Senator from Virginia says that the people will join in the
execution Of it that the people opposed to it. What
does the honorable Senator that He does not
that every man in Massachusetts should voluntarily get up
and assist in the recspture Of fugitive. He does not
that course. IF the constitution carried in good
faith and the Of the slave his agent clothed with
all the necessary and authority that Is all ask
of the legislative department Of the Government and all you
ask Of the executive department is, that neither the
its officers should be ineered with resisted
in the execution Of the power given them by the law and by
the constitution But it is said that the people opposed
TO the law That objection to the validity Of the law
its due execution. Opinion is thing and actual
resistance another If murderer escapes from Michigan into
Virginia cannot expect the population to rise up and run
after him It is not reasonable 10 anticipate such thing
Mr.. MASON. It would be done.
Mr. CAsS. Would the honorable Senator leave Win
chester and to hunt up murderer, oge or thief who
had escaped from another State
Mr. MASON. would, if it necessary to execute
the law.
Mr. CASS. If it necessary to execute the law, Of
course he would do it with pleasure So would and
would every body with correct sentiments upon this subject
But speaking of the voluntary action Of the people, of
their grauious and uncaed for nteposon. The only idea
convey was that the withholding of this voluntary
action does constitute reasonable ground for saying that
the law win be executed. The public sentiment in
Massachusetts upon this subject is unfortunate it is
wrong No man depores it more than do but believe
the law will be executed there and wherever the flag Of the
Union That is my firm belief. No man has right
to doubt till the subject has been fairly tried wonderful
change in public sentiment has taken place It is going
and will go onward until the great object accomplished
We see it tho North, see it the West and all around
us and we cannot mistake it, As my friend from New York
(Mr DIcKINsos very truly and mpessvey stated the de-
cson in the city Of New York in the Of Long has been
Of great value towards carrying into effect the provisions Of
the constitution in relation TO this subject It's imposing
MANNER the length of time taken to argue II, leaving
every thing free be discussed for and against the law and
finally the delivering up by the officers Of the United States
aided by the police of the city, Of the fugitive beautiful
trial Of public opinion, and illustration Of the effect of this
law, and has been felt throughout this Union from end OF
to the Other Let try the law, and not denounce be-
forehand These foebodng predictions do no good 1t is
not surprising after the wonderful agitation through which we
have passed. that the do instantly subside 1t is
not in human nature.
Time must be given for reflection before calm take
place. Give these elements Of sound public opinion, and let
it be seen that the law will be carried into effect and when
resistance arises its execution let be put
down fairly and promptly. believe in that manner the
object will be accomplished, and speedily.
Join in the general reprobaion well expressed by
the Senators from Kentucky and Virginia, Of the 70
reigner who has country. If an American went
England and conducted himself in the manner he