The southern press., 1851-05-28
Mr.. webster,s speech.


WEBSTER in Buffalo, on the recent Administra-
ton tour. This is the longest, the most well-con-
sidered, and the most significant speech to which
that expedition has given birth. Buffalo is the
principal city of northern New York, region
where Sewardism and Free-soilism predominant.
And this speech is the apology of the Cabinet
to that section for the Compromise measures.
We are glad to observe that Mr.. WEBSTER
appears to see that the Union can be preserved
-" not by coercion-not by military power
not by angry controversies" by such an
administration of the powers of the Constitu-
ton, as shall give content and satisfaction to all
who live under it, and draw US together, mot
by military power, but by the silken cords Of
mutual, fraternal, patriotic affection" Now the
Union can be preserved on easier terms than
Mr.. WEBSTER indicates. 1t can be preserved
by justice--simple justice-which will not, in
deed, give content and satisfaction to all who
live under it," but will give discomfort to many
but such, as we believe, is the strength of the
sentiment of attachment to the Union, that if it
be coincident with justice it will prevail against
all that fanaticism, faction, and sectionalism,
which would be DISCONTINUED with any observ-
ance Of Justice between the two sections.
Whilst, however, we agree with MIR. WEB
sTER in the sentiment with which he commences
his speech, and will even compromise for much
less, we are compelled to dissent emphaticay
from some of his most important subsequent
positions. We do not object at all to his dec
laration that the South will not get any conces-
sion from him-s not hairs breadth of it."
We do not ask any concession from Mr. WEB
srER, or the North We ask no favors. We
insist only on justice.
Mr. WEBSTER insists, with crushing cogency,
on the clearness, the Importance, and the hon.
esty of observing the constitutional stipulation
for the restitution by the several States of fugi-
tives from labor. But Mr. WEBSTER, as well as
a multitude of modern commentators on the
Constitution, North and South, is utterly mis-
taken in supposing this was concession to the
South, or one of the compromises of the Con-
stitution. 1t was no such thing. At the time
the Constitution was adopted, African slavery
II
provision operated in favor of all the States, and
il did not operate against even the opinions OF
any. For, although there was then sentiment
of hostilityt to slavery, it controlled no State.
But besides this, it must be considered that at
the very time this Constitution was adopted, and
at the very place it was framed-at Philadelphia
large numbers of poor foreign emigrants
were arriving, who paid their passage by selling
their freedom for term of years. On the ar
rival of ship with this class of people, they
mere sold al auction, in Philadelphia, in New
York, in Boston, and in other Northern ports,
for the money to pay their passage, and the sue
cessful bidder was the one who offered to take
them for the shortest period Of servitude, and
pay the vessel for bringing them over.
When white men were thus publicly sold in
the North, although for limited time, and At
ricans were held in all the Northern States but
one in endless Bondage, il is '---'f"St there was
no sentiment of opposition u very suff-
cientIy powerful to control the vote of Sny State
in the convention; and it is manifest also, that
sipce-as is ,ceH knotcn-there was greater
tendency of these white men, who were called
Redemptionists," to escape from service"
than among slaves, and since these Redemp-
tionists went almost entirely to the North, it is
plain that the provision of the Constitution re-
specting fugitives from service, was eren more
favorable 10 the North than the Souih. II is
certain that il was adopted without any oppo-
sition, either 10 the Federal convention that
formed or the State conventions that ratified the
present Constitution. And it was generally
observed in good faith by both Northern and
Southern States, until change Of circumstances
rendered il no longer important TO the North,
but still more important to the South, and then
II was practically nullifed, and, notwithstanding
the recent fugitive law, is still practically null.
lifted For fugitive slave property is at this
day and hour absolutely rGlueiess in consequence
of Northern bad faith.
Mr. WEBsT6R says;
isGentlemen, | contend, and have always con-
tended, that after the adoption Of the Constitu.
ton, any measure Of the government calculated
TO bring slave territory into the United States,
-. ln..a.I tha pouar If tho Constitution and