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


Harrisburg, which instance the law had been carried n''
lxecuuon immediately where the law mad pro
duced beneficial results DO not deem necessary 20 auas
other cases. because they have been so uy and 50 wei
stated by the Senator from Kentucky Mr oLAr ana one
who have referred the which have occurred IN In
DIANA Ohio Pennsylvan and elsewhere that 1t would bt
perfectly useless for consume the time OF the Senate BY
referring to them.
do not understand the Senator from Virginia to deny tina
in these cases the law fairly and substantially carried out
There is one case which has been alluded TO In the debate
such peculiar character and exceedingly interesting, and
which shows clearly the disposition OF the people o.
the North on this subject that feel my duty to advert
il briefly. II is the of Long IN New York. consider
that as one of the strongest and best illustrations that could
be given Of the disposition and ability OF the people of the
North carry this law in good faith, and with the utmost
power which they bring to bear upon the subject was
question of no ordinary II known that
there was decided opposition in quarters in the city oil
New York. in this instance by those who opposed to
this measure called the fugitive slave law. 1t supposed
there would be difficulties thrown in the way Of the
Of the fugitive, and every legal mpedimen thrown in the
way the writ Of habeas corpus tried and there was
defect in the application Of the officer who not properly
commissioned. Every difficulty thrown in the way, both
technical and real and all the ability which could be brought
bear upon the brought by the COUNSEL because 1t
with regard to the efficacy OF the law II was
carried into effect, consider successfully and triumphant
y. think there nothing which occurred in that case
that the Senator from Virginia any other Southern
would have required TO have been otherwise and think
il not only requires from Of the South that we should ex-
appreciation but that should exactour applause
For is ordinary for people who have
interest particularly in this subject in matter in which they
have particular local interest, but only from love of the
Union and feeling Of obligation to the constitution and the
laws of the countrywhere considerable proportion of the
people, and where public opinion against
measuret is ordinary that OF wealth and in
uence devote their time and money, and lend their aid In
every way to carry out the law So far from our complain
ing think they entitled the applause and gratitude Of
the Union. believe il has been of the chief instruments
in quoting and calming public sentiment this subject and
has gone further than almost any other convince the people
Of the South that there proper spirit at the North and
that the law will be carried out But for this the
people of the South might have agreed with the Senator from
Virginia that this law was imperative.
But Mr. President, the honorable Senator from Virginia
to admit that the law formally carried out, and while
the honorable Senator from South Carolina to admit
that the law has efficacy although the facts in this case
such that they cannot be cnoved and turned around
yet the Senator from South Carolina has suggested that al
though the law has been carried out done from motives
OF interest do not how that should detrsct very much
from the merit of the act ITSELF suppose we formed this
Government and perform duties from motives of interest
And suppose that all have interest in the preservation of
the Union and the execution of the laws and should be
sorry to see at any time any portion of the people come to
conclusion that they had interest in this Union For
what did form this Union but from motives Of interest
II formed because interests would be promoted by it.
Why did insist at the last session that the North ought to
execute their portion Of the obligation in good faith Be-
cause tney interested tneIe is
connected with the feeling that exists in favor OF the Union
and in support of the constitution and the law honor
much any indivdua and appreciate il highly; but
assert that this Union based much SYM
palhy and that it would have been formed, and would
continue for month"; unless there motives OF inter-
well others for its preservation Think then, that
the suggestion of the honorable Senator from Souh Carolina
M BurLER) that the aid given by the people Of New York
in carrying this law is entitled to little credit and should
have little weight because they interested, wrong.
M
believe the honorable Senator from South Carolina ALSO adj
verified to the fact that it is exceedingly difficult to execute
these laws in the North, in consequence of public opinion
Und ubedy that has been the great difficulty heretofore
doubedy that great extent has been the difficulty before
the passage Of these laws We know very well that before
the passage of these laws not isolated occurrence that
there opposition to the laws but that was an
occurrence indeed the law cooperative that we could
scarcely look to remedy at all You recoect The case
which occurred in Michigan, and the in which man
lost his life from Maryland These difficulties in the
way then, and without such efficient laws have NOW
Public opinion did th.a- nhi- m tA. and SO strong
it that it expressed only by private individuals,
but BY legislative assemblies conventions, and societies.
strong feeling against the execution of these laws
heretofore, which made the difficulties almost nsuferabe.
Now submit to the Senator from Virginia whether the same
state of things exists did exist then Has there not
been change public opinion at the North, and that
change going daily What did at histime last
year There resolutions sent here from every North
State except in favor of the Wmot provso and
positive legislation by Congress which would be objection
able to the South Mr.. President have any such
luons been sent here at the present session No. snot
Not only that but in of these States they have
retraced their steps, In Illinois, understand, they have
passed resolutions expressing their appreciation Of the
promise measures, which, in respects contrary to
resolution which they had previously passed. The
ton in Indiana coming directly from the people, expressing
clearly any public body could do the views of the people,
have expressed opinions favor the compromise and against
opinions which the Legislature had before adopted This has
been the case in other States The State of Iowa the only
Northern State in which there resolutions passed OBJ
ectionabe to the South but they have passed resolution
and so has Wisconsin, which, though directly upon this
subject still they advert to it, and show most liberal spirit
and change public opinion favorable to the institutions Of
the South.
Look at other States look at Ohio, and to all the Western
States where supposed that public opinion strongest
against the interest of the South and where they appeared
to have heretofore done every thing in their way and
what has been the there recently Why, resolutions
in favor Of repeating the fugitive slave law have been laid
the table. Not only that but those advocating the soil
doctrine in that State, and who have exercised considerable
influence to control the power Of the Legislature have been
utterly bafed, and every where Frustrated This think is
clear indication Of the state of public opinion.
How is it elsewhere Look ut Indaua-that patriotic
State. We all know that of the ables and pro-
minent advocates OF the compromise Of the
Senators from that State, (Mr. BRIeHT) His term was
about to expire election on, and all felt
how much consequence attached the discussion which
the people of that State might make his conduct here and
how much his defeat would have been regretted by the
pie North and South But there for pre-
henson. He has been triumphantly reelected.
How is 10 the State of Pennsy lvana, where there has
been much public feeling against laws for the recapue
fugitive slaves-where there have been laws passed against
their recapue and where the author Of the Wmot provsc
resides What have they done They have Just elected
from among all their distinguished men member Of