The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-05


ing the settlement OF two distinct matters of very
exciting character affecting the North and the other
the South No satisfactory scheme would have been de-
vised pIeauIe-fo onewhich would have afforded the
least prospect Of without including II the abo
ton of the slave trade ia the District OF Columbia, and
the supplemental law for the surrender OF ugitves from
All these questions therefore, were necessarily
thrust before the Senate at and the time, each
demanding instantaneous consideration The Senate met
nearly every member being present Every one knew
that all these questions up and be settled and
YET difficult il 10 devise any satisfactory mode OF
adjustment. that all had together without
any ell-dgested scheme Should any inquire who is
that senator, answer Henry Clay, of Kenuckythe old
est man in the American Senate Imagine for the mtnsn
that you him rise in that august body Tall command
ing full OF years and Of experience patriotic. and with
spirits undaunted and buoyant youth, he submits bis
compromise resolutions the Senate and to the Ameri
can people. Those who heard the speech OF Mr. Clay
in support OF the Compromise regard AZ one OF the
either house OF Congress. The resolutions and the
speech everywhere read and considered. All felt
constrained TO acknowledge that his speech and PROPOSE
tons had made strong impression upon the commercial
interest and the active business of the country
Every could see however, that while much good
had been accomplished much yet remained to be done
before any satisfactory adjustment could reasonably be
expected
The effort of Mr. Clay seconded by the distinguish
ed senator from Michigan, whose name and tame are
mpershable as his coantrys honor The speech OF Gen
era Cass in respects fully equal 70 that OF Mr.
Clays, and on some accounts even to be preferred
While was less eloquent, il was better suited to IN
may say, without fear of contradiction, that il had pow
erlal nluencs TO the laboring millions IN the
North, and 10 prepare Their mlnds to acquesee IN some
reasonable and proper adjustment. I'll H
Still, there class that remained unmoved with
purpose, seemng fixed fate, TO reject any popo
son, no matter what the consequences, which involved
the least departure from the extreme opinions which they
had so long and so ondy cherished. aude of course
to the fanatics, political and moral, who are mainly re-
sponsble in my judgment, for all the 10 which
the slavery agitation has given rise Under the blessing
OF Providence, ii left to the distinguished senator
from Massachusetts Mr.. Webs,erl to treat chiefly with
this class And truly may say. he spoke "wofd TO
them in due season." and it WAS 6tly spoken. He dealt
them blow which, it has not annhaled the Sect so
stunned the leaders that they have not yet recovered
from the concussion They still stagger and reel and
verify believe they will yet fall One thing, however, is
certain much coed has been accomplished that is endu
agtators greatly weakened their ranks are
thinned by deseron, and the business community is
pretty eectuay aroused TO the dangerous tendency OF
slavery agitation. 81. ah
The last session of Congress- the longest ever known
in the history oi the constitution was devoted almost ex-
clusyey loi this subject Fortunately for all who love
country and its nstutionsm not say, fortunate
y for the Liberties of America 1.-The friends Of the Union,
though thrice apparently beaten, rallied undismayed, on
tered anew into the night and came out OF the contest
before The country The responsibility is shifted
from Congress % the people Every one Of the meas @
embraced in the Compromise proposed by Mr. Clay
in the early part Of the session passed the two houses OF
Congress. and received the approval of the President
The ConpIom.e.l say smpnsi,csiiy.he Compo%h,se
men, including those named, and Foote and Dickinson
and host of Others who breasted the storm to arrest
the fearful progress OF slavery agitation, and to stay the
debt OF gratitude is due to the members Of the two
houses OF Congress who stood in defence oth Union
and the constitution second only to that which
the memory o those who liberties and trans
mred them to us for our enjoyment. We have but a
lite estate in the liberties of America They trans
fortunes to win them; and we shall aithless the
high trust eposed in u.s. if do not our best exer
tons 10 transmit them un'npaired TO our posterty,
What can Congress do than at has done to avert
the dangers with which we are sarroundcds Nothing
absolutely nothing Dsclaiming the intention Of intro.
ducing nything controversial into this meeting. must
be permitted however to do not concur IN the prop
osiiion that there is anything left which Congress can
do appease the aders and abeors OF the slavery ag
taton What then, the complaints of fanalicsl
and what is the which they present to the country
and especially to the people OF the free States -
The first question is easily answered The catalogue
OF complaints is reduced TO oae, all the other matters
having been disposed OF TO the satisfaction OF the whole
country California is admitted into the Unlon and con.
stuies one Of the constellation adornng our national
flag now waving this hall Territorial governments
have been formed for New Mexico and Utah, and they
are as free as the air we breathe Provision made
for the adjustment Of the boundary dispute with Texas
and the last journals bring us the pleasing intelligence
that the government and people OF Texas have accepted
the proTered terms The seulemen, therefore concud
ed and is irevocable The settlement beng concluded
there is power the OF the United States
abolition Of the slave Trade in the District OF Columbia,
will pass without remark and come directly to the
supplene enta law Of the 18th September, $780, providing
for the surrender Of fugiiives from service.
The first remark have 20 make in regard 10 II IS, that
the best men in the southern States believe that the
South will acquiesce in the Compromise II the North
will but faithfully execute this law Such being the faci
what is the issue presented What do our fanatics
purposel Permit to state the case and will submit
the point the Judgment oi this assembly whether do
not state fairly They propose to hold on 10 every con-
cesson made By the South and AT the time 10 repeal
refuse the sole concession made by the
North in return The statement OF the proposition is
sufficient show that never receive the eanction
Of the people OF Name. No business weuld think
Of adopting course OF condnct 70 fraudulent and dis
honorable and II he should attempt IT, and persist in the
attempt, his conduct would exclude him from the conf
dence OF the busineHs community Ii would be regarded
bad morale, and usworhy o every principle Of fair
dealing between man and man Any one who would
egn States is not fl to be free 1t would BE- better that
some OF the millions in other lands, who are now
struggling to throw on the yoke Of tyranny, and Get up
there system Of free government alter the model of our
constitution. were ransplanied hers in his stead q
The proposition is base. dcnounce Il as infamous,
and venture the prediction thai the people OF the North
will never adop, IT. The complaints regard 10 this law
snple question ie, whether the North will execute one OF
the panest provisions in the constitution. The law
OF the 18th September $780, contains no new pr'Bci-
ple it copfers right the master; II merely
provides more eHectua mode Of executing the law
Of nth of February, l7p3. The law of '93 has re-.
manned upon the statuie-b book without complaint,
frpm its date TO the present time II was passed by the
patriots who framed the constitution, and was ocialy
approved by General Washington IA President Of the
United States The views of The Attorney General. Mr.
Ctitteen regard to the law Of $780, have long since
been published, and are well known to this audience