Washington telegraph., 1851-12-24

have little no connection or relation In this
mode of legislation, many enactments have
been heaped on each other, and often with but
liitle connection, that in many instances 1t is d'l-
hcu.t TO search out and determine what is the law
The government of the United States is emphati-
cally government of written iaWs-the statutes
should therefore, so far practicable, not only
be made accessible to all, but be expressed in Ian
guage so plain and simple as to be understood by
all, and arranged in such method ss to give per-
specuity TO every subject Many OF the States
have revised their public acts with great and ma
nIlest benefit, and recommend that provisions be
made by law for the appointment of commission
to- revise the public statutes Of the United States,
arranging them in order, supplying def1cenc'es,
Correcting incongruites simplifying their Ian
guage, and reporting them to Congress for IFS
action.
1t is deeply to be regretted that, in several in
stances, officers of the Government, IN attempting
TO execute the law, for the return of 'fugItlves
from labor'' have been openly resisted, and their
efforts frustrated and defeated by lawess and
violent n, bs- that. in case, such resistance
resp dils the death of an estmable citizen, and
r othess, ssriJ injury to those officers and to
nlrsid0als VINO we're using endeavors to sustain
the iawE Prosecutions have been instituted
dsE fed, sad aFe stil pending. have rega, ded
3s ff dai- q these ses, to give all aid legally
q teF Hosof 70 the en ofce ruent of the laws, and
5naA CON Aus 4o d. s1s glen ever and wherever
ihe.r - eeaaoa may be res The act of Con-
gress lar t3e return of ogiugss from labor" is
>one leQgFed aad demanded br TIE Express words
ef IhaiCoGst.tuU1a Toe Cons alton declares,
d7' ao fsrson he'd 60 service or labor in
Stste aader The laws -tro., escaping into
other, shalt. Ia eoIst BDe of any law or regu-
st'en then,ias oF diseIa ged from such service, or
iatof-nal shall be delivered up on claim of the
Pa-y 10 viIoaa n service or abor may be due.
ms constitutional obligation is equally obligatory
upoa the L7gislatlve, the Executive and judicial
bepsfnents OF the Government, and upon every
citzs OF the United States. Congress- however,
nust from necessity first act upon the subject, by
prescribing The proceedings necessary TO ascertain
that the person is fugitive, and the means to be
used ior his restoration to the claimant. This
was done by an act Of Congress during the first
term OF Presldeat Washington. which was amend
ed by that enacted by the last Congress, and il
now remains for the Executive and Judicial De-
partnents TO take that these laws be faith
fully executed This injunction Of the Copsti-
tuition is as peremptory and demanding as any
other: !. stands exactly the same foundation as
lhat clause winch provides for the return of the.
fugitive from justice, or that which declares that
no bill OF attainder, ex-post facto law shall be
passed, or that which provides for an equality OF
taxation to the census, the clause declaring
that all duties shall be uniform throughout tue
United states or the important provision, that the
trial Of all claims shall be by Jury
These several articles and claims of the Con-
sltutlon, all resting on the same authoritv must
sland or 1all together. Some objections have
been urged against the details of the act for the
return OF iugiives from labor but il is worthy of
remark that the main opposition is aimed against
me CONSTITUTION ITSELF, and proceeds from per-
sons and classes Of persons, many of whom de-
Clare Their wish 10 see the CONSTITUTION over
turned They avow their hostility to any law
which shall give full and practical effect to this
requirement OF the Constitution. Fortunately, the
number OF these persons is mparatively small
and Is believed TO be daily diminishing: but the
issue whl;h they present is one which involves the
supremacy AMI even the existence of the Con-
stitutOu.
/ Gases have heretofore arisen in which iudi-
piduais bave denied the binding authority of acts
OF congress- aud even States have proposed to
nuy such acts, upon the ground that the Con-
stitutIon was the supreme law of the land, and
that those acts of Congress were repugnan. 10
that instrunrn mt. But notification is not aimed
so much ag INST particular laws, as being in con-
slstent with the Constitution, against the Con.
stHution Itself, and it is not to be disguise d. that
spirit exists, and has been actually at work. TO
tance Of our Revolutionary Fathers
In my last annual message [ stated that |
considered series Of measures which had bren
adopted at previous session, in reference to the
agitation gros lag out Of the Terriorial and slavery
questions, as final settlement in principal aud
substance. oi the dangerous and exciting subjects
which they embraced: and recommended ad.
herenee to the ad justment established by those
measures Entil time and experience should demon
srate The necessity Of further legislation 10 guard
against evasion or against abuse. | was not in
duced to make this recommendation because |
| thought those measures perfect, fer no hunlan
legislation can be perfect. Wide differences and
Jdrring Of opinion only be reconciled by yield
ing on all sides; and this result had been reached
alter an angry conflict of many months, in which
one part OF the country was arrayed against
other, and violent convulsiop seemed 10 be inn
minent. Locking at the interests Of the entire
country, felt it 10 be my duty to seize upon this
Compromise, the best that could be obtained
amid conflicting interests, and 10 iusist upon its
hual settlement. 10 be adhered to by all who value
the peace and welfare Of the country.
year has now elapsed since that recsmmon-
dation was made. To that recommendation,
still adhere; and congratulate you and the coun-
try opon the general acquescence in these
sures of peace which has been exhibited in all
parts of the Republic. And not only is there this
general acquIescence N these measures, but the
spirit of couciliation which has been manifest in
| all paris of the country, has removed doubts and
! ncertaintts- in the minds of thousands of good
men, concerning the durability of our popular in
stitutons and given renewed assurances that our
Liberty and our Union may subsis together, for the
benefit oi this and all succeeding generations.
MILLARD FILLMORE
Washington, December 2 1851