The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-24
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY "a, 1851.


Whss schsnsss In the ssusA.
We have been informed that in Virginia. aud other
southern States in which congressional elections are
pending the whg leaders are seeking impress the be-
lief that the South is indebted to Mr. Fillmore and Mr.
Webster for the fugitive slave law We have been thus
far sudousy lepien with the President and with the Sec
Rotary Of State and with the cabinet We did not wish 10
run the hazard even OF the supposion that we desired
to the IMPRESSION, even IN preludced MINDS mat
we entertained any disposition to weaken the cautious
circuous and indirect efforts OF the President ana Ms
cabinet TO sustain the Compromise aud uphold The Union.
But when we see the organ OF the administration tacuy
acquiescng in abolition. whig movements IN Pennsyi-
yania and Ohio--when we see II sustaining governor
Johnston by following in the footsteps OF the Philadelphia
North American, repeating and giving currency 10 'he
slarders which have been aimed at Col Biger-we must
confess that the information that the wings OF the South
are claiming the cred, Of the fugitivesave law fills us
with Indignation.
We have no patience with Carthagenian tactics-no
regard for those who speak with double tongue The
administration may talk OF harmony, and conclliaon and
compromise, and attempt TO portray the unspeakable ben
e6s and blessings OF the Union--n that work we will
aid sustain. and support it: but when we find that the
friends of the administration sustain Seward candidates IN
New York-when find the administration giving
acit endorsement 10 the Ohio convention-when we
find the organ OF the administration itself laboring
earnestly and zealously in support OF Governor john
ston-and while find thai is using at the same time
the sweet words OF promise TO the southern ear-and
while we see its friends claiming all the credit OF the
| adjustment, we would be dereict 10 our duty if we
failed to expose the deception OF fair words-if we failed
TO warn the South that garland of roses may
asp.
But TO return 10 our sheep We have never heard OF
more bareaced attempt to dupe and deceive the people
than that OF the southern wings. who wish to incucae
the belief in the southern mind that the southern States
are indebted to Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Webster for the
fugitive slave law "QuouYue tandem abutere, Cataii-
na nostra paentia 2" How long we to be annoyed
BY the arts OF duplicy' How long will the public pa
tcnce submit to be abused by the subtees OF Carha-
genlan tongue Is it the purpose OF the wing party 10
continue it's Janus policy TO the end, regardless OF the
public good and unmndful of the nes,imabe interests
which are bound up with the Union Of the States
Union which cannot be preserved bat by maintaining
the rights oil the Sia'es'
But few days have elapsed since the Ohio wing con-
vention met That convention passed resolution which
affirmed that the wing administration manner
responsible for the compromise The plain in
tent and meaning OF that resolution was TO cast of from
the President and from The wing party all responsibility
for the fugitive slave law, that the Ohio wings might
gather around them the support of the hgheraw abo
litionsts. The administration up TO this moment has
rested quietly under the mputaon and has thereby
all cement it, except that encouragement which
a direct announcement would give. 1t wishes to run
with the hare and follow with the hounds.
But let us examine the preposterous assertion Of the
wings Of Virginia and other southern States that they
are indebted 10 Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Webster for the
fugitive. slave law.
Mr. Fillmore's claims can be disposed OF at once He
neither exer,ed, nor attempted to exert, any influence
with regard TO the law that have heard Of Az
ter The bill was passed. he hesotd before he soud sign
Il He departed from all precedent, and submitted it tc
tie Attorney General. and demanded written opinion
from ,ba, officer and in obedience to the opinion OF thu
Attorney General he signed il. Is that all No. The
Republic opoiogised TO The North for the approval and
pleaded in favor Of the Preaden, the ground tina, the
established wing policy opposed to the exercise Of
the veto power. Does the Republic deny these things
II il does, ue wM prove them.
Asio Mr.. Webster, let us ask what did Mr.. Webster
do in favor of the fugitive slave bill We will
question by saying, Nothing, and tcor1 than nothing.
He had while member Of the Senate, drawn up bill,
/
slaves He conceded with Hale. Seward, Theodore Par
ker and demanded jury trial TO the alleged fugitive in
The State in which the fugitive might be arrested Our
readers and the public cannot have forgotten that Mr.
Webster in his celebrated speech of March, 1880,
let fall words. according TO the reporters. which
sustained Judge Buffers fugitive slave bill In few days
after the speech was published, and the New Eng
land wings denounced the idea that they should con-
ouer their preudices, Mr.. Websters endorsement OF
| Judge Buffers bill modified as to amount to q
practical opposition to the bill His amendment, which
gave the fugitive slave jury trial in the State in which
he might be arrested then brought up but MIR. Web
ser avoided any direct commi,ia all the measures Of
adjustment by going into the State Department, and
Gated his seat in the Senate to be filled by free
soiler.
| So much for Mr.. Fillmore and Mr. Webster. Let us
now look to the action OF the two parties.
| Mr. Mason. democra, from Virginia brought forward
the fugitive slave bill I, passed the Senate by wing and
democratic votes. In the House Of Representatives
eight northern wings and free soilers voted against the
law, with only seventeen northern democrats to keep
their company Every southern member voted for ths
BILL and they sustained by f,csnfy-sigh northern
democrats and three northern ,ohigs The vote was
| 81 democrats.
1 southern whipa