The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-06

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jurisdiction 10 issue writ Of error IN criminal
case, he Il not to sastaiN his proposition uDoR
awarded by chief juafice HI is under mis-.
apprehension in regard to thst subject.
Several EEHAroR,. sQuestioa;" Question
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi Mr.. Pregident.-
Mr.. SEWARD. If the senator wishes 70
speak upon the question, will he give way to .
motion to adjourn!
Mr.. DAVIS. have very little to say, and
would rather not speak at all than that the Sen
ate should adjourn for me-
Several SENATORS. Go on" Go on"
Mr.. DAVIS, have no intentian TO debate
the question of slavery, or the relations Of the
States upon the subject of slaves. ! said at the
last session all that wished to sey upon that
subject; and great deal more than anybody,
excepting myself, probably knows. Under the
circumstances, l could have no hope to change
the opinion Of any one of this chamber on that
questioning expectation that what could say
would, in this place, do any good. | came here
with a foreknowledge that slave property was
ono of the interests in part represent, which
must be protected elsewhere, not here. there
fore, sir, do not intend to discuss it. To some
remarks which have been made think it is pro-
per briefly to reply
The senator from Massachusetts, who has
just addressed US, speaks of the execution of
the Fugitive slave law as Precipitation to the
South II it be 80, 1t is only because the dis
charge Of duty will be welcome as an offering
to good faith--a superstition in keeping with
the position of the South, which has never de-
manded anything but a strict observance of the
Constitution. But sir, deny that the South
asks it as a boon or Precipitation at the hands
of the United States government They have
claimed that the execution Of this law was
compliance with the obligations of the Constitu-
ton; they cannot acknowledge it Us anything
granted to them. They demand it, not as some
seem to suppose, on account of the amount of
property involved, but for the principle which it
contains. Senators make great mistake when
they suppose that Southern planter, who loses
a slave by the refusal Of nelghboring States to
deliver him up to his master, is most concerned
for the labor of which he is deprived, or that
from such condition he is generally anxious to
get the slave back to his own estate Mt all. |
think the more common feeling is not to receive
him again in his quarter-not to bring him back
to contamnate his faithful servants This is a
species of property which seems to be under
the ban of a majofity; therefore it ia that the
minority have 80 sternly insisted on their rights,
and now demand faithfully and summarily the
rendition of their fugitves from service or labor
That their constitutional rights may not be tram
pied upon by those who in the accession of power
now seek to destroy the compromises which
have nurtured their growth, and upon which the
Union was foundcd-this is the great question,
in my view, which is involved in the execution
of the law for the delivery of fugitive slaves.
The enactment Of this law has been spoken
of rs resulting from the series of measures
adopted at the last session of Congress. If so,
then let the South measure the faith OF the
North II they have observed the Constitution;
If they have passed this law to carry out one of
its express provisions as n contract, as means
by which they should get something else they
desired, loathe the motive and scorn the pit
lance. 1t never had any claim to our confidence
or regard, save so far as it was received as
tribute to constitutional rights, But, sir, how
was it enacted? Who framed it! The senator
from Virginia, Mr.. Mason mot one of these
who advocated the compromise measures
Who amended it to its present form? Who
voted for it? Sir, the Northern majority upon
that occasion allowed the Southern minority to
pass the bill. They did not pass it. They did
not meet their obligations to tho Constitution
aud their faith to the Union. Seats were va
Gated, and the Southern members were allowed
to pass law to be executed at the North. That
is the history of the transaction. Was there
not then, reason to suppose that a law passed
by system of absenteeism would be failure?
And have not all the fears then expressed been
more than realized?
Why refer to Illinois and Indiana? They
executed the law of 1893. Why refer to Iowa?
That State has always been sound upon this
question, and required no additional legislation.
That law was required in the States in which
abolition ruled the civil governments and has
it there proved effective? That's the question;
not whether there are not non-slaveholding
States true to the Constitution and to their OBJ
legations in relation to that species Of property,
but whether those States which sought to de-
stroy the rights of the STAKEHOLDER in his fugitive
slave have been checked by the law of the last
session. If not then the senator from Virginia
was right in denying that it had borne fruit.
Now, Mr.. President has it been my good for
tune to perceive that improved state of feeling
which is said to be abroad. Never, within my
remembrance, have there been so many aud such
excited meetings rs since the last session Of
Congress. Never have seen so numerous ac-
counts of anti-slavery conventions as since then
And, sir, since then a British Abolitionist has
excitement spread broadcast over one section Of
the country. Is this the improved state of feel
ing that we are told is now existing? If so, what
went before it = Gloomy, indeed, must have
been that state of things which was worse than
that surrounding us now
We are told that, Notwithstanding all the ben
efcia results which have flowed from these
measures, the Union is in danger. Is it true
and if so, whence came the danger, and where
arose the "cloud that lowered over our house :"
Was the Union in danger when the Congress
met in December, l8a8? Did anybody say so?
II the Union is in danger now, 1t has fallen into
that danger since the passage of these great
indicative measures. Where, then, is the proof?
Assertion will not suffice. We must have the
evidence of changed state of feeling for the
better, before we called upon to return thanks
and join in TIE Deum for our deliverance.
Heretofore, since have held seat in the |
Senate, / have not been one Of those who
threatened or who debated the question of dis
solution. have held that stood here rs
part of the government, and that it was my duty
to maintain the government; that 1t was part