Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-01

and others Know at that time other causes working WINCH
no doubt might by possibility have created to some EXTENT
spirit Of resentment be il is to be regretted whatever
and however the provocaon do Think iheD that
IN this there proof of want Of attachment 10 the Union,
or any violation the the State OF her obligations The
United States had said that their duty, and their duty
alone 10 execute this provision OF the constitution, and the
states have no power control it. think that that
was pretty clear hint 10 the least that they would take
their own business into their hands, and their
way, regardless Of the States What was eft to the State
then but to repeal her aws They dead letter on the
statute book because they had been declared There
might have been Of courtesy perhaps in DENYING
the of her PRISONS in denying the use Of her officers
but think the Senator from Virginia will not question
the right do will he infer from any violation of fed
eral obligation whatever Then what becomes declara
ton of the Senator from Virginia that Massachus has been
false to her federal obligations
The Senator goes still further speculate the
Of public sentiment public opinion which exists there.
he says and the honorable Senator from South Caro-
lima, that there public opinion existing there which
favorable to this law and hostile TO it, not disposed TO
draw in question the substance Of that declaration, if it
goes no further than to aege dsapprobation Of Of
the provisions Of the act. believe many Of its stringent
provisions offensive to the great of the commu
ni,y and if there tmeI think could state very good
reasons why they should be. They would, therefore, in
my opinion, If they could frame law, make in many
respects different But nevertheless, hold that the Sem
a.or IS in no respect justified in drawing the inference that
the people will not execute the law. II time enough to
charge them with want of PATRIOTISM want Of fidelity, and
want OF attachment to the Union when they show
evidence OF II, when they refuse neglect some duty
Now do the facts, they appear in this case show any
want OF attachment 6delty the Union Do they show
dsespect the laws Of the United States any pur-
pose whatever Of resisting the law In my opinion, far
respects the people Of Massachusetts, they show
ALL They be less Jealous, volunteer agents. upon
subject Of that description, than upon others they have
more at heart But when have they failed in their duties
and in their Why, the Senator from Kentucky
says this is the second instance where they have failed
Well he has himself furnished tho justification Of the first.
He has said that the facts in the of Crafts all
of
Of the Government said the marshal had done bis duty
What had he attempted to do All he had failed in doing
was in his unsuccessful attempts arrest the individual And
take it. 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. Il
enough for that the law officer Of the Government after
examining the matter says he did his duty The Attorney
General in his statement the Senator from Kentucky says,
not entirely satisfied with his conduct but still there
no such departure such neglect authorized punish
ment to be inflicted upon him.
Did the people prevent him from arresting this fugitive Is
that any part of the evidence Was owing to the citizens
Of Boston the citizens Of Massachusetts, not done
If have never seen the proof of such thing The
people Of Massachusetts, lookes-on in this natter
There state of perfect tranquility in the city Of Bos-
and The given by Of the agents in that case
from Georgia nearly udcrous He says he felt DANGER
he felt apprehension he nothing to fear. He saw
excitement among the black population and that 10
about the whole story.
Then we come down to this case. Does this bear the
charge which implied in this proclamation, and in this mes
sage, against the citizens of Boston know there dis
affected there, and who entertain principles which
abhor much the Senator from Kentucky cam and who
talk openly and freely about dissolution of the Union But
thank God they few in number am not here to
approve Of their conduct Of their policy in any respects
but here speak for my fellow citizens generally, and
would vindicate them far could from any reproach
unjusy upon them. And cannot help feeling that the
Of proceeding the part of the Administration b to
say the least, hasy. When cay SO, mean go fur
Their than to declare that in my judgment just far it inn
pcates the citizens Of Boston body the citizens of the
commonwealth Of Massachusetts, does them great injustice
hold that they true to the constitution they true to
their fidelity to this Union and they have furnished no EVIL
dence in this transaction to the contrary
Twill not trouble the Senate this late hour by entering
into this subject My whole object draw the
tenon 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 reason with
70 decide for Whether any blame attaches
the city Of Boston the body of the people of Massachu
ses and whether there is any obstruction to the admnisira
ton Of justice which the themselves cannot and have
do stand here vndcate the act ITSELF
II is ndeeDsbe unquestonably But the true question is
whether stands upon the footing with other acts of VIC
lence which pepetraed almost daily, whether stands
prominent ard distinct in its character and DANGER
the community call for this inerposon of power.
Mr.. BADGER. Mr.. President agree with the honorable
Senator from Massachusetts, who has taken his seat that
whether this proclamation Of the President OF the United
States proper exercise OF Executive power, and whether
there occasion for the grave and serious contents OF
the message which he has u.s. depends upon the inquiry
whether the transaction which has reference
the ordinary oubeaks of popular violence which occasionally
in country not If Of those ordinary
outbreaks admit that the procamaonwas uncaled for and
the has been made degree OF gravity and inn
porance which, in its nature il is entitled. But
how stands the fact This transaction is TO be judged by
its particulars and circumstances its value andim
poance to be estimated by the number Of those engaged IT.
the particular violence the particular amount of outrage
involved in the transaction ITSELF II claims preeninen i'm
pcrance because it the acting out of great and widely
spread scheme throughout small portion of New England
If this had been occasional outbreak of negroes or OF
whites growing of the momentay excitement that men
stimulated activity by the events Of the day, which
passed away with the hour Of preparation, would be
case, however worthy Of punishment not worthy of the
solemn importance with which il has been invested But
that is not the nature of the transaction. Sir vain to
attempt disguise its it is but the acting out Of desperate
thing long medated long encouraged simulated and pre-
pared for months aye, sir, for years
Fl Now how stands this In the year S43 in conse
quence the decision of the Supreme Court Of the United
States in of gg and Pennsylvania the Legislature of
Massachusetts passed act and let whether that
act is econcilabe with the positions assumed by my friend
from Massachusetts, behalf of his State. What did the
decide That the imperative obligation OF carrying ont
the clause of the constitution respect to the reclamation of
fugitive slaves upon the Government OF the United
States that that obligation upon the Saes such
that the State officers who specified in the act Of l793
law pledged it that the United States had
cute law Of the United States But they held that au-
tboy ultimately conveyed to them the law ii
they thought proper it, That the decision Of the
court Now what WINS the act which passed