Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-06

Other subjects were brought to the attention Of Congress
in my last annual message to which would respectfully
refer But there of more than ordinary interest
to which again invite your special attention. aude
to the recommendation for the appointment of
to settle private claims against the United States Justice
to individuals well TO the Government mperativey
demands that convenient and expeditions mode
than appeal to Congress should be adopted
Ii is deeply to be regretted that in several instances
officers of the Government in attempting to execute the
law for the of ugves from labor have been openly
resisted and their efforts frustrated and defeated by law
less and violent mobs that in such resistance
resulted in the death of esmable citizen and in others
serious injury ensued those officers and to individuals whe
using their endeavors sustain the laws Prosecu
tons have been instituted against the alleged offenders,
far as they could be identified, and still pending
have regarded II my duty in these cases. to give all
aid legally in my power to the enforcement of the laws
and shall continue to do wherever and whenever their
execution may be resisted.
The act of Congress for the return OF ugtives from
labor required and demanded by the express words
Of the Constitution
The Constitution declares that person held to
vce labor in State under the laws thereof escap
ing into another SHALL in consequence of any law or re-
guation therein be discharged from such service or
labor but shall be delivered up claim of the party
ito whom such service labor may be due" This con-
stitutiona provision is equally obligatory upon the egs
ative the Executive and Judicial Departments of the
and upon every citizen of the United States
Congress- however, must from necessity first act upon
the subject by prescribing the proceedings necessary
ascertain that the person is fugitive and the means to
be used for his restoration the claimant This was
done by passed during the first term Of President
Washington which amended by that enacted by the
Congress- and it remains for the Executive and
Judicial Departments take that these laws be faith
fully executed This injunction of the Constitution is
peremptory and binding any other it stands ex-
actly on the same foundation that clause which pro-
vdes for the return of fugves from justice, that
which declares that bill of attainder post fdco
shall pas1od, that hich prnvidas for cquali
ty of taxation according to the the clause de-
carng that all duties shall be uniform throughout the
United States the important provision that the trial
of all crimes shall be by jury These severn articles and
clauses of the Constitution, all resting on the same au
thorty must stand or fall together. Some objections
been urged against the details of the act for the
turn of fugves from labor but it is worthy of remark
that the main opposition is aimed against the Constitu-
ton ITSELF and proceeds from persons and classes of
sons many Of whom declare their wish to that Con-
stuton overturned They their hostility to any
law which shall give full and practical effect to this
qurement of the Constitution Fortunately the number
of these persons comparatively small and is believed
to be daily diminishing but the issue which they present
is which involves the supremacy and the exist
| ence of the Constitution.
Cases have heretofore arisen in which individuals have
denied the binding authority of acts of Congress- and
States have proposed to nu such acts upon the ground
that the the supreme law Of the land and
that those acts of Congress repugnant to that nstru
ment but notification is aimed not much against
particular laws being inconsistent with the Constitu
tion against the Constitution ITSELF and it not to be
disguised that spirit exists and has been actively at work
to rend asunder this Union which is cherished inhe
ritance from our revolutionary fathers.
In my last annual message stated that considered
the series of which had been adopted at the
yous session. reference the agitation growing out of
the Territorial and slavery questions final settlement
in principle and substance of the dangerous and exciting
subjects which they embraced and recommended ad-
herence the adjustment established by those
until time and experience should demonstrate the necessi-
ty of further legislation to guard against evasion abuse
was not induced make this recommendation because
thought those measures perfect for human legislation
be perfect Wide differences and Earring opinions
only be reconced by yielding something all sides,
and this result had been reached after angry conflict OF
many months in which part of the country
rayed against another and violent convusoa seemed to
imminent Looking the interests of the whole country
felt to my duty seize upon this Compromise the
best that could be obtained amid conflicting interests and
insist upon it final settlement to be adhered to by
all who value the peace and welfare of the country
year has now elapsed since that Recommendation was
made To that recommendation still adhere; and con-
gratuate you and the country upon the general acqui-
in these of peace which has been exh
bited in all parts of the Republic And not only is there
this general in these INIT the sp
rt Cancellation which has been manifested in regard
them in all parts of the country has removed doubts
uncertainties in the minds of thousands of good
corning the durability of popular institutions and
given renewed that Liberty and Union
may subsist together for the benefit of this and all
ceeding generations. WILLARD FILLMORE
/ WASHINGTON DECEMBER 2, 1851.
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