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

to distracted people, with sacred pledge that OF
these measures to be touched but they were
main nvolae except when the majority Of those who bad
pledged themselves assented IT, Sir they bid defiance
the instructions of their constituents their instructions
could not reach those gentlemen who had signed this pledge
They must adhere TO the pledge and the support Of these
measures for the sake of the Union,
Now told that further legislation is required that
necessary to give effect and potency these measures
peace, and harmony, and concord. We have about one
week of the session left and certain shall be
brought forward enable the President better the
law, shall have proposition after proposition introduced
here for discussion For it happens that all the members
Of this body did not sign this pledge and all did not concur
these peace measures because they did believe in their
efficacy Of producing concord, harmony, and
peace There opponents these who were
not admitted TO join in this great national union party, and
there among them these outsiders those who most yio
eny opposed the fugitive slave law. do belong TO
that class belong the class who will sustain far
can, and will oppose any repeal modification Of it. But
there those who advocate total repeal while others adj
vocae modification OF it by giving the right OF trial by jury
and they would perhaps throw every mpedmen and emba
n the way Of the execution Of the law
der it dead letter the statute book Sir, this will open
general debate for believe the rules of the Senate permit
any member TO offer amendments to the BILL if they are ger
the subject under consideration This general debate
then, will be opened while have but one week OF the
session remaining And what is the condition of the business
to be acted upon Strange tell not one of the most I'M
portant appropriation bills has yet passed. The civil and
diplomatic appropriation bill has yet reached the senate
The army bill and the navy bill all behind and yet with
week only remaining this question to be opened TO
agitation and discussion do not believe possible si
that all these be passed this discussion Is TO be
opened again yet am willing to vote the reference and 70
any report which may be made having the effect to
aid in carrying this law into execution, although do not
believe il can be efectualy accomplished.
When you have done this and have raised all this aga-
on let inquire what is to become Of the great National
Union party Its constitution will be violated and broken
up To be sure the Union Of the States will be preserved
but the National Union party will be gone.
have eulogies heap upon the Executive for what he
has done this matter It is my habit sir to speak plainly
do suppose that his feelings very strongly in favor
of this fugitive slave law Take him home and put him
among his constituents private and doubt whether
he would do any thing to it into execution Judge him
by his public acts when he member OF the House. and
before that time look at his votes and speeches look at his
letters when candidate for the Vice Presidency, and
then tell whether he has any great desire to see this
tive slave law faithfully executed. admit the higher duty
imposed upon him he has imposed upon him the obga-
ton oath that the laws faithfully executed but
have nothing that be has yet done to execute this
We told that this is the second occurrence OF the kind
which has happened in Boston. Why was there not some
ode the happening Of the first occurrence to the officers
there Why there steps then Why was
the marshal removed who failed to discharge his duty
Why there action the part OF the Executive
demonstrating that be resolved upon executing this law
and dischargng his duty Sir he does not moves not word
said; order made to any body; not thing DONE
After the second outrage and after the negro safely landed
in Canada he issues his proclamation That good deal
like locking the stable door after the horse stolen this
proclamation the his property Sir, he was
apprzed that there would be difficulty in executing the law
Boston he appzed of that before, and yet no step
taken.
Now the proclamation. fear that proclamation is
merely to u the Southern people and quiet them until those
whose slaves have away and now residing in the
Northern States shall be exhausted in spending their funds
and hazardng their lives in their attempts to reclaim Them
and after they shall have become exhausted in these attempts
there will be further attempt execute the law When
like that which has recently taken place in Bos-
ton occurs then the President will issue his proclamation
But what is the benefit of proclamation The Senator
from New Hampshire (Mr HALE II is very rdicu-
ous thing / do say this but if held TIE opinion
which has been advanced by here should be prepared
agree with the Senator from New Hampshire in saying
very frivolous state Of facts for the President to issue
his proclamation upon.
We are told that these mobs aud riots are common through
the country and that they should create great degree
Of excementi that they common to every section OF the
Union. ha
Mr.. CLEMENS. Does the Senator refer to me
Mr.. TURNEY. Yes; and the Senator from Louisiana,
Mr.. CLEMENS. said no such thing.
Mr.. TURNEY. 1t was said by the Senator from Lousa-
certainly If that be so, the Senator from New Hamp
shire is correct it would be very conteptuous and rdicu-
ous thing But it conended quite correctly, as thought
by the Senator from North Carolina that the state of public
opinion evidenced in Massachusetts, by their legislation
upon the subject of fugves and which has remained for
number Of years. with the people acquescing in it. II we
judge Of the state of public opinion BY that fact and
then to the efforts made in that the execution
of the law think that the President would be justified in
issuing the proclamation. But if there be nothing in this
argument of the gentemanfrom North Carolina, and the
people of Massachusetts, to be presumed sound this
subject and resolved in good faith to carry out the provisions
of this law, would agree that the proclamation would be
utterly contemplate. But think the Senator from North
Carolina was correct.
Mr. President, am willing to adhere to these measures
though bound to do it either by ia any other
at liberty vote for any measure to aid in
the execution of this law But believe it is impossible that
be done; that believe that the law will be mpeded
in every way where there attempt to take fugitive,
but mean say that in all these States, nearly ALL you
will nd these clubs formed watch the of every
stranger aud give information the slave and give facilities
finding bis way safely into Canada and thereby defeat the
law. That is what mean.
The Senator from Louisiana mr. DowSs) Gays there is
improvement in public sentiment at the North-a great
change. believe there has been and especially in the
State of New York-a change from eesosm TO the higher
law creed We know that among the candidates arrayed
the Presidency, had from the Buffalo Convention
Then the principle Of freesoism prevailed there's but now
they have failed to elect Senator. Who the candi-
nation by any party there who advocate Of this law
its faithful execution in the free States Have the advo
Gates Of this law any friends there If they have have
searched the papers in vain to find the fact.
Mr.. DOWNS. will state, with the permission of the
Senator that there resolution introduced approving in
general terms the compromise measures and that resolution
laid the table by very small majority of only five
six votes.
Mr. TURNEY. That is piece Of information which, if
had seen, had escaped my memory but if true 1t is
powerful argument against the proposition of the Senator from
Louisiana resolution approving the compromise
was laid the table, given the goby. Perhaps you will
hear something stronger the other side favor the higher