The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20
For the National Era.
PLAIN TALK.

Politicians at Washington seem to think that
the anti slavery spirit has been etfectually pros
trated by the passage Of the measures Of the last
session Henry Clay has pubcly proclaimed 1t
in the Senate He never yet palmed Of one OF
his so-caled compromises, without Boosting that
1t was final settlement of the question-as wit
ness. his Missouri Compromise, and his various
tariff compromises But the truth is, his settle
mentsn would never stay settled long. In 1899,
he made famous speech, which his friends pro-
claimed WAS death blow TO Abolitionism; but it
proved merely death blow to the political aspi-
rations of it's author. The country has never
been so deeply sgitated on the question of slavery
as since that tiMe So 1t will be with his present
"peace measures" for so long as the Fugitive
Bill remains on the statute book will this nation
be convulsed by it.
Wewould ask the South, what have you gained,
and what do you expect TO gain, by continuing
| this law in force2 have no doubt that as many
| fugitives were recovered under the old law as
under this and without attracting half the atten-
| ton. The great majority, we presume nine
tenths, of the fugitives Immediately fed to Can
ada, where they are beyond their reach forever.
That was the first result of this peace measure.
Again, there are fully as many, II not more, es-
Gaping from slavery; and they now receive AS
sistsnce from multitudes who, but for the passage
| Of this law, would have continued indifferent
spectators of the operations Of the underground
railroad system. They hate this peace meas.
ure y 70 heartily that it affords them special
pleasure to assist In evading 1t. Such is human
| nature, and there is no use in shutting our eyes
| to the truth
| In this country, public opinion is emphaticaily
the higher lam in sense at least, as u IS use
less to attempt to enforce law where public sem
timent is decidedly opposed to it, Especially Is
this the case where the people, must assist, in or
der effectually to carry out the law. NO observ-
ing mind can doubt that public opinion through
out nine-tenths of our free territory Is most
decde dly opposed TO this law and where this feel
ing is there the greatest number OF fugi.
tves will always be found 1.-THE South listen to the
deceitful representations of Northern dougbfaces
on this point, they will be led TO their own ruin
There are classes Of men that tell the South that
the law can be and shall be enforced at the North
No doubt in some locations il can, but they are
few and far between. A large portion Of the
clergy. and q numerous host Of politicians are
laboring hard to convince the North that it Is a
high and holy religious and political duty to as
sist In returning fugitive slaves bat let not the
South be deceived by all this. Look at the
Union Safety Committee and their clerical abet-
tors Of New York city What Is 1t that actuates
,hem 10 such excessive zeal on, this subject !
Wbv. IL is simply a calculation of dollars and
cents with them IL it Was not for the fear OF
losing Southern trade and Southern potss, they would
never open their mouths TO sustain the Law
with ali the zeal Of these patriots, will venture
the assertion that there Is not one OF them who, n
called upon by slave hunter, would lift hnger
in the way of active personal assistance TO secure
fugitive. Why, just picture to yourself the
Hon Lewis Cess persmbulating the streets OF
Detroit, with all the awful dignity Of would be
presidential nominee Suddenly comes In sight
a braye-po, a "slave-hunter Of Kentucky" 10
hot pursuit Of one Of the fair sex, who Is fleeing
AZ for life. The painting fugitive hurries pas,
IN. brave General startling him from cssefal
c.l,mlatjou on the vote of New York. His Ken
tnckv friend calls upon him, as good citizen
70 aid and assist in the prompt and s0'e'ea execu
tom of the law Vim other words TO join IN the
chase. What a glorious sight 1t would De to ses
the burlv form Of the hero Of ---- under fuii sal
after the fair fugitive Such spectacle woa'd
do mnch TO heal those five bleeding wounds
Rut does sny one imagine for one moment tha
ne ~ anv other Of these devoted advocates of IN.
isr will ever be found joining In such chase
No. not they. They viii talk and taih ana talk
|, and cote laws laying commands upon the people
yhich they will not observe themselves II IN
Sooth are satisfied with such kind OF friends
, thev have plenty Of them at the North, ana 'ne'
! San be bought up dog cheap.
. There are difficulties In the way OF enforcing