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


Mr. CASS. Mr. President. have listened with pa
uehce 10 lhis discussion There is great deal TO excite
the indignation OF the senator from Kentucky, and con.
cur ~ much that he has said. With respect The
oi the administration which condemned by the honor
able senator IRON Vrgina, Is part OF my business 10
defend IL II has able and Jealous friends enough on this
ioor to do that; but owe to truth and candor say
approve them, and be eve he is Determined TO do ms
duty firmly respect TO This law and, one member Of
the Senate Will say that II The law is defective.
willing to clolhe him with any necessary power within
the limits OF The constitution. prepared TO do that,
But rose principally TO say that regret 10 have heard
the remarks OF the senator IRON Virginia, MI MAsoNl
He will permit TO say that cannot any good thai
will result from that strain OF observation. lido not
any use member of this Senate getting up and an.
noancng TO the public 'ha the law will not be executed
II does no good and believe myself. one, that the
senator is totally mistaken Why will il not be executed
The senator from Virginia and the senator from Massa
was s asaa. I'm senator oa
setls that will not openly be resisted but Il would
Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts. | made use OF no
such language expressed no opinion ,ha, the law
MI cAsS CA II lid moi very much misapprehend the
honorable SENATOR his remark was, that when public
opinion against the law, it was decidedly useless TO
expect its execution, and that public opinion was against
it in his State.
Mr. DAVIS, of Massachusetts. Nothing OF the kind
expressed no such opinion
Mr. CASS. A gentleman informs me that the
senator from New Hamsshire [Mr HALE] uttered this
setts but at any rate think apparent from what was
said by the senator from Massachusetts, that the moral
sent men OF The country in HIS section OF IT. against
the law Why does the honorable senator from Virginia
say will not be executed For two reasons, lar
understood hIm--one legal, and one resulting IRON the
state OF public opinion lhateIe are laws on The stat
ute book OF Massachusetts, that should have been
there, and which should be wiped away instantly, no
man who loves the constitution OF his country, and
wishes the perpetaaon Of the Union. can doubt for
single moment. They ought to be expnnged But those
laws will not interfere with the laws Of the United States
SO lar as they are unconstitutional they have no legal
existence, and will present real impedment 10 the
ecu,ion Of our laws The judiciary will condemn them,
and our laws will be executed. So far as the laws OF
Massachusetts constitutional, matter IN what spirit
they may have been passed, have right as leglsla
tors here to call them in question, We may condemn the
motive; but SO far respects Massachusetts, she may
make such laws as she thinks proper within her own
limits confomaby to the constitution of the United States
and the constitution of that State 1t TO me sur
prisng that any be found within sight OF Faneu
Hail. that old Cradle of American Liberty, who would
hesitate for moment to sweep forever from the statute
book laws framed in such spirit and leading 10 such
consequ qucnces
Again, why canno, this law be execued' The hon
orabe senator from Virginia says that the people Will not
Join in the execution OF it-tha the people opposed
ton What does the honorable senator mean by that
He does not mean that every man in Massachusetts
should voluntarily get up and assist IN the recapture OF
fugitive He does not mean that OF course II the con-
sluion is carried out in good faith, and the owner OF
the slave or his agent is clothed with all The necessary
power and authority, that is all you ask OF the legis
atve department OF the government; and all you can
ask of the executive department that neither the
its officers should be nteffeed with resisted in
the execution of the power given them by the law and
by the constitution But it is said that the people are
opposed to the law. That is objection to the validity
and actual resistance another II murderer escapes
from Michigan into Virginia. you cannot expect the pop
uation to rise up and after him. II is not reasonable
10 anticipate such a thing
Mr.. MASON. 1t would be done.
Mr.. CASS. Would the honorable senator leave Win,
chester and go to hunt up muIdete or iorser or thief
Mr.. MASON would, If it was necessary to execute
the law.
Mr. CASS. II il was necessary to execute the law,
OF he would do it with pleasure So would and
so would everybody with correct sentiments upon this
subject. But am speaking of the voluntary action OF
the people, OF their gratuious and uncaedor interpo
silon. The only idea meant TO convey was, that the
Withholding of this voluntary action does not con ttue
reasonable ground for saying that the law will never be
executed The public sentiment in Massachusetts upon
this subject is as unfortunate as Is wrong; No man
deplores II than do; but believe the law will be
executed there, and wherever the flag OF the Union
waves. That is my firm belief No man has right to
doubt till the subject has been fairly tried wonder
fu change in public sentiment has TAX en- place Ii GO
ing on aud will 20 onward'unt the great object
plI.hed. We il at the North see II at the West
and all around US; and we cannot mistake it. As my
friend from New York Mr.. DIcKHsoSl very truly and
mprsssively stated the decision in the city OF New York
in the OF Long has been OF great value towards
ryng into effect the provisions OF the constitution
lalon this subject Its imposing manner, the length of
time taken to argue IT. leaving everything Tree TO be dis
4
up by the officers OF the United Sates aided by the police
oil the city, of the fugitive, beautiful trial Of pub
lie opinion, and illustration OF the effect OF this law,
and has been felt throughout this Union from end OF
il to other Let Try the law, and not denounce IL
beforehand. These forebodng predictions do good
Ii is surprising, after the wonderful agitation through
which have passed. that the do not instantly
subslde. II - not IN human nature.
Time must be given for reflection before calm can
take place Give these elements OF sound public opinion,
and lei it be that the law will be carried into effect,
and whenever resistance TO lis execution LET II be at
pu, down fairly and promptly believe IN that man
ner the object will be accomplished, and speedily.
Join in the general reprobaton well expressed by
the senators from Kentucky and Virginia, OF the foreigner
who has TO country. II an American went to
Eng land and conducted himself in the manner he
honorable senator from Kentucky says, but he would
| be on his way 10 Botany Bay within month after
the meeting OF the first court that could try him for
treason sedioD Yet many persons and many papers
in country advocate the OF this vile dis
turber OF the public peaeeadvocate his right
country and denounce institutions and dissent
nate doctrines which, if they prevail will lead TO the
which s about to set, will again tomorrow. Yet
asked tamely 10 suder this state of things.
that The papers Edinburgh and in London which al
ways manifest such " kind" regard and watchiul care
for the honor and institutions of the United States, are
denouncing the opposition TO this man, and maintaining
his right go from end OF country to the other
abusing people and institutions, and propagaing
views false as they dangerous. The honorable
senator from New Hampshire to think that this
all fair; that there is particle OF l-wi or anmosity
in it, but The kindes feelings towards The United States
that it is generous philanthropy alone which insii-
gates this foreign political propayandis Credaf Jadgms
dpeuai Let him believe this who can. Judge the