The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-21

riousy affected by these measures where is the neces-
sly where The pIopety Of disturbing again the subjects
they disposed OF As 10 the fugitive slave law do not
entirely agree with the honorable senator from South
Carolina MIR BUTLER TO the practical effect of that
law am not aware unless il be in the first instance
which occurred al Boson OF any instance where the of
hcers OF the federal government in the execution of that
aw have failed TO do their duty. am that not.
withstandng what really believe to have been the fair
and honest purpose OF those officers TO the laws,
In two States at least it has been efecualy resisted
refer 10 the in Lancaster county Pennsy vania and
syracuse New York. What was there done is now the
subject Of Judicial investigation and am content to wait
the result OF that investigation before form opinion
whether i or is not the enon OF those States to have
So far the law has done good 1t has awakened pub.
lie attention TO the necessity of having provisions
carried fully into execution 1t has attracted around il
the people in those States The subject YET pending
and am not prepared 10 pronounce judgment upon the
result trust that am not hoping against hope when
OF the people Of those States will be regeasas this
subject They will find that it carries with portion
of their constitutional duty and they will ind aso that
placed upon that distinct issue by almost all the southern
States and among others by the State OF Virginia and
40 not despair Of that law yet doing It's ONCE eectuay
from gentlemen who voted for those measures COM
promise that they to be received by the country
cord and i'll feeling which always attend the agitation Of
the subject OF slavery in our deliberations: object to
this resolution because il is not the usual and proper
the legislative will OF the country through the forms OF
law and under the sanctions of law. The resolution on
the table has sanction-none whatever. Il Is OH.
cous and for whatever end introduced, its effect must
be rather to renew agitation than to quiet il.
We are all aware that while these questions were
pending the safety of this Union most seriously
dangered but, in the language Of Mr.. jefferson, had
hoped and believed that the bllow which threatened
had passed under the ship The public mind has become
extent tranqullzed The people of the southern
States who felt themselves aggeved by it, if not recon.
ced, disposed TO acquesce and in such condition OF
things, submit, to what useful end should the subject
be further agtaied here' Sir, did not sympathize in
the slightest degree with what fell from the honorable
senator from South Carolina Mr RHETT] who addressed
Us yesterday and the day before when he declared him
sell for dissnon. There is State which made greate
sacrifices to obtain this Union than the State which
have the honor ia part TO represent. She has mad
another great sacrifice TO preserve it, by her acquescenc
in the measures which are referred 10 in this resolution
The transactions OF the past Congress- far they may
affect the institution of slavery, are with her natter
done with and ended. For what has passed. Virgin,
does not seek disunion. None look with create
horror than do her people upon dsunion for disunon'
sake But the Union which they cherish must coatinu
Union under the constitution. Union by force or
Union in which the forms OF the compact alone
garded whilst the rights of the minority violated he
past history shows she will be the first to repudiate an
/ to disown