Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-08

the proceedings Of the people Of Georgia II eonvept
s % sdeas y aqms rsnssks which hsRa bssn e y -
NE l 4 a \
pssdueing sas sxcemsnt throughout the Union, think
may safely add that he only result Of any attempt
dicue upon ats psper Of such grave importance would be
render ourselves ridiculous. Sir the recent in
Boston engages the attention OF the people Of the United
States You have called fer information in relation to it.
The President advising you Of what be has done for the
purpose Of enforcing The execution Of the laws through
the ministerial officers Of the Government communicates
you the proclamation which be has deemed it his duty to is
sue and that proclamation has been made the subject Of
friendly criticism in the discussion before this body Sir
necessary for to the euogy Of the Pres
dent of the United States yet, In ankness hold myself
bound say that that message affords abundant evidence Of
bis disposition perform fully bis whole duty in this matter
Why them is the proclamation which has been issued sub
iected TO the criticism made upon said, in the lam
guage Of Senator that resembles the closing of the stable
door after the horse has been stolen In judgment that
Sensto takes very imperfect view Of the intention and OBJ
ec Of this paper When is said by Senators that
effect the reclamation Of the fugitive, my il they assert
what they do know and cannot with any certainty pu
IDENTIFY affirm. If the fugitive has escaped beyond the limits
Of the United States then the proclamation will be Intellectual
10 reclaim him; but if he should be still within those
limits the people Of this Unon reused to action by the pro-
clamaion, may be enabled 10 arrest him, and thus may
compsh the purpose which il is said it will be impossible for
effect But the object Of that proclamaton as appre
hend it's chief object enjon upon the ministerial officers
ton aid in tie execution and enforcement Of this law. 1t
looks rather to the u than to the past Il is its moral in
Huence in the community which think is principally to be
relied upon and which mparts to 1t its chief importance and
value It will exert this influence, unless natcsm has
tinguhed the feeling Of patriotism In this view Of the pro-
camation, think superior to any exceptions which have
been offered to it, do not therefore, with the Sena
tor from Ohio Mr. CHAsH in regreng that the subject has
been sthrus upon this time. value much any
other man the little Of time which remains this
Congress know there important measures yet unacted
upon but know of no question equal in Importance to that
of the ascertainment whether the laws Of the county espe
cay upon subject like this capable Of being carried in
to faithful execution. Neither do concur in the constitution
al opinion expressed by that Senator. That opinion as
derstand it. referring decision Of the Supreme Court of
the United Sates and utterly dsegardng It's authority, s
that the provision Of the constitution for the restoration Of m
gvs slaves the result Of the compact between the people of
the several Sates which neither imposes any ALLEGATION upon,
nor mpars any authority to, the Government Of the United
States Mr. President what have first to say Of tst opi
ion thsf question Shich the constitution RENTS 10 the
judicial determination d the Supreme Court Of the United
States has been settled in direct opposition to the opinion
expressed by the Senator from Ohio have say further
that while the judgment Of the the CASE often
fred to- declares that the Government of the United States
alone authorized to carry into execution this provision Of
the constitution, and while it admits diversity Of opinion
among the members composing that tribunal the ques-
ton whether State officers bound be assistants
ryng the law into execution states the unanimous opinion
of the judges that competent these State officers vol
unfairly afford that assistance if their patriotism should
prompt them to redeem the good faith Of their fathers But
sir the proposition of The Senator from Ohio that because this
compact between the several States composing this Union
it therefore mparts authority to the General Government
enforce the execution of this law, in my judgment
monsrons that he cannot himself upon reflection continue
urge it. What is the bond which unites Us What is
that constitution OF which this forms part but compact be-
tween the people Of the several States of this Union in
tue of which the Federal Government ordained and esab
shed And If because is such compact, mparts no
authority to the General Government to the laws in
does the General Government derive any one power
authority which it exercises under the constitution All
and each of these the result of compact between the peo
pie of the several States in the ordination and establishment
Of the Government which the officers of that Government
appointed to carry into execution and whatever may
be said Of the powers and authorities of the General Govern
ment under the constitution, may be affirmed Of their power
under this particular provision OF that instrument.
With question ofthe execution
Of the law class Of Senator'S has been contended that
with the exception Of the Boston this law hes
faithfully executed wherever has occurred while by
denied that has been any instance executed with
the good faith which belongs provision Of this kind that's
say, that although the law has been literally carried into
effect has been under delays membranes, and
pense to the claimants which have deprived them Of the
benefits which this law intended to accord to hem In my
humble Judgment in this and other truth lies between
these extremes. believe that, with the exception Of the
occurring in Boston, the law has been carried into effect the
several which have attracted my attention but believe
also that in its execution the claimants have been to
de0ys expenses contemplated the
law, and which would carry out in its just spirit the pro-
vision Of the constitution do acquiesce in the argument
Of the Senator from New York Mr. Dickinson and the Sem
from Michigan Mr CAss This subject That argument
M that delays and expenses inevitably incident judicial
proceedings. agree that this is II is the price which
the sutor pay And il the eay and expenses incident
to ordinary Judicial proceedings had alone occurred in these
cases. the argument would have afforded perfect
But in ordinary judicial investigation the suor is left
to contend with his particular adversary. He subject TO
such expenses that adversary give and such
DELAYS az he can create In these case however, whenever
claimant presents himself for the recovery OF fugitive slave
under the provisions of the law, with whom has he 10
tend With organized bodies Of people, meeting him by
their agents at every point where such claim made This
sir is state of things which does belong the ordinary
administration Of Justice, which is inconsistent with the spirit
and intention Of that law which was designed to afford
prompt and summary remedy to claimants and which there
fore qualities the declaration which disposed to make,
that the law with the exception Of the IN Boston, has
been carried into efiectual execution.
But what then II this law has hitherto been subjected to
these embaassments and distractions in its execution shall
therefore pronounce incapable Of practical enforcement
think II the Senate will consider that this Is law
which has been in existence but four or hive months that
was passed at the termination Of an exciting session OF Con-
gress and presented the American people then sborng
under high degree Of excitement upon this and coeatve
SUBJECTS seems to that IL premsure at this moment to
form any decisive opinion adverse the capacity OF this law
ior practical enforcement We time to ascertain that
isct we have the manifestation Of disposition the part
OF the Chief Executive Magistrate give the force which
its trainers cesened We have before US proposition i'm.
part 70 'nat magistrate powers which will ensbe him give
scies to the execution and
certain whehe with the aid Of such additional powers az