The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-25

fuguvo slaves She undeglook, BIKE most IL not ali hc
States 10 carry rhe fesoukt II Congress passed IN
$780, INT. lretng The constitution on this point She
considered this clause in The constitution, by lls own
terms and BY the resolution Of 1852 as imposing duty
on The State lea slate for the return OF fugitive slaves
She ad dsglsstd l0a that pufpee good faith, and al
The Time The Supreme Court ia Pgs Pennsy vana, de
cared her laws aud the laws 81 other States uneonSn
&c Iltd pem IL far as know, IN gonnexon with The law
ofiths BAiihdl StSss OF 1898 When the constitutional
authority declared that she had no power on ihs subject
hat she had no right 10 iekslaiep on ~, 'heh she
changed her sy STEM OF legislation
Now. while ! do no, approve. IN my own judgment,
The extent 10 which her ae was carried must say, III
reply the from Virginia, that see no oblsa-
ton except obligation OF courtesy on The part OF the
State OF Massachusetts 10 employ her Objects, or her
PRISONS or her legislation 10 execute Or carry mo enec'
provision confined exclusively 10 the United States
The power of interference State had been denied 10
her by the competent tribunals OF the connlIy ana there
were, as you Know, SIR and as DINERS Know al ha 'ie
other causes working which, doubt might by possi-
by have created, 10 extent, spirit oi resent
menl il IL be is 10 be regretted whatever and now
ever unjust the pfoyocanon DO not ihhk. men, 'ha'
in this there any proof OF want OF attachment TO Inc
Union any violation the part OF the State OF her
obg atoms The United States had said that 1t was their
duty and their duty alone to execute this provision OF
the constitutions and the States have power, no con-
troll IT, think that that pretty clear hni,
say the least, that they would take their own busl-
into their hands, and manage in their way,
egardless OF the States What lett TO the State
then, but to repeal her laws, They dead letter
the sa,utebook because they had been declared so
perhaps, in denying the OF her prisons, in denying
the OF her officers; but think even the senator
from Virginia will question the right SO TO do. nor
will he infer from it any violation OF federal obliga-
ton whatever Then, what becomes OF the declaration
of the senator from Virginia that Massachusetts, has
been false to her federal obligations!
The senator goes st further to speculate on The
OF public sentiment public opinion which exists
there He says, and says the honorable senator IRON
South Carolina, that there public opinion existing
there which is untavorable this law aud hostile to it,
| al n uIsu0
that declaalion goes NO further than to aege dsap-
probation OF some OF the provisions OF the act believe
many of ITS stringent provisions offensive to the great
mass OF the community and if there time think
could state good reasons why they should be They
would, therefore, in my opinion, if they could frame
law make in many respects different But neveTthe-
less hold that the senator Is in no respect lushed IN
drawing the inference that the people will not execute
the law, II is time enough TO charge them with want
of patriotism, a oil fidelity. and want OF attach
ment TO the Unon when they show some evidence OF it
when they refuse or neglect some duty
Now do The facts, AS they appear IN this case, show
any want Of attachment fidelity TO the Union Do
they show any disrespect 10 the laws Of the United
States, or any purpose whatever OF resisting the law
In my opinion, far respects The people OF Massa
chuses they show none at all. They may be less zeal
ous volunteer agents. upon subject OF that descrip
ton, han upon others they have more al heart
But when have they failed in their duties and in their OBJ
legations Why, the senator IRON Kentucky says this is
Inc second instance where they have failed Well he
has himself furnished the Justification OF the first he
has said that the facts in the Of Crafts weR all
law officer Of the government said the marshal had done
! his duty. What had he attempted to do! All he had
failed in doing was,n his unsuccessful attempts TO arrest
the mdI iual And take il, when the law officer OF
the government declares that he stands justified this
point he to say the facts such proved that
| he performed his duty do not know what he did
have these papers. II enough tor me that
the law officer OF the government, after examining the
matter, says he did his duty The Attorney General IN
his statement, as the senator from Kentucky says was
not entirely satisfied with his conduct; but still there was
! neglect,
lshment to be inflicted upon him.
Did the people prevent him from arrestng this fugitive
Is that any part OF the evidence Was II owing TO the
citizens OF Boston the citizens OF Massachusetts II
not done Ii II was, have the proof OF
any such thing, The people Of Massachusetts, were
mere lookers-on in this matter. There was state oil
perfect tranquility in the city Of Boson and the account
given by OF the agents that from Georgia is
nearly udicfous lie says he felt no danger he eit no
apprehension, he nothing TO fear He saw some ex-
element among the black population; aad thatis about
the whole story.
Then we come down TO this case Does this bear out
the charge which implied in this proclamation, and IN
this message. against the citizens OF Boston | know
there disatiected men there, and who entertain
principles which abhor much as the senator hom
Kentucky eau, and who talk openly and freely about
dissolution OF the Union. But thank God, they are very
few in number. | not here 10 approve OF their con-
dnct, OF their policy any respect but am here 10
speak Tor my fellow citizens generally, and would vim
dlcate the lar could IRON any reproach unlusuy
cast upon them And | cannot help feeling that the
course of proceeding the part OF the administration is,
10 say the least, hasy. Vixen say 80, mean 10 60 no
further than 10 declare that ia my Judgment just so lar
IT imp Gates the citizens OF Boston body, or the
citizens OF the Commonwealth oil Massachusetts, II does
them great injustice. | hold that Iney true To the
constitutions they true 10 tneir fidelity TO this Union
and they have furnished evidence IN this Transaction
/ to the contrary
/ | will not trouble the Senate at this late hour by en-
tsrng into this subject My whole object was to
Draw the attention OF the Senate TO the points which
have presented And wish when this matter goes out
TO the world that the world may take the facts and let
those who with oando upon this ublrci and
who examine IT with calmness, decide tor them
selves whether any blame attaches 10 the city OF Boston
or TO the body OF the people OF Massachusetts,, aud
whether there obstruction 10 the administration OF
Justice which the courts themselves cannot and have not
overcome do not stand here to vndicate The act itself
Ii is ndeiensibe unquesonably But the true question
- whether II stands upon the footing with other
acts oil violence which peperated almost daily, or
whether II stands 80 prominent and 30 distinct IN It's
character, and dangerous 10 the community TO
call Tor this lntetpostion OF power.
/ Mr.. BADGER ! agree with The honorable senator
who has Just taken his seat that whether the procama
ion OF the President Of the United States proper
exercise OF executive power and whether there lust
occasion for the grave and serious contents OF the
sage he has sent depend upon the inquiry whether
the Transaction to which it has reference OF
the ordinary outbreaks OF popular violence which
sonay occur IN every country or not II II was one OF
those ordinary attacks, admit that The proclamation
uneaed for, aud the occasion has been invested with
gravity and importance to which its nature did
title 1t. But how stands the FACT sir say that this
Transaction not TO be Judged by its particulars and
circumstances; nor It's value and importance to be esi.
mated by the number of those engaged in 1t, the par
ticular degree OF violence, or the particular amount OF
outrage involved IN the transaction itself Ii claims
eminent importance because is the acting out OF great
l.I nU.II i.