The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-26

40 eon'utntim unon or Union, the hospitality Of
VIII be Violated by the dell uf
s"y iusiuyeirom oppression y hi yrspt again,S
80 much for Englsh lectures and A nercan loyalty
thompson has sown seed at least in fertile ground
VIII now read from paper which received some time
lime since and deposited in my drawer, knowing
what circumstances might require its production II II
an ofciai pfo"uacane'sto OF official action OF the
town OF Weymouth = and thus records ITS action;
At legal meeting Of the inhabitants Of the town OF
Weymouth. November IL. 1850. motion Of Elias Roh
ards. the following resolves were read and adopted"
Here is OF them a..
Resolved. That all slaves II sacred d ny 10
themselves, neir posery, and their Cod escape from
slavery by running away or by such other means in
their opinion right and best adapted 10 them
selves and their children tner inhe naienable
right 10 liberty and tue pursuit OF happiaess."
Now, sir, no man can mistake what is meant by the
sacred duy Of all aus to escape running cay or by
such other means as IN their opinion right and best
adapted to the emo; and a more atrocous sentiment
dsgaced assembly in our country and scarcely
in any other Why sir, il is direct invitation to muir
der, 10 page, to robbery, to conagaton and to any
other crimes, and intended Those who adopted
il had the bodness direct language TO con-
yey their purpose and yet they used such leaves no
doub, OF their Intentions In the palmiest days of
blood under Danon and Robesperre during the French
revolution, no invitation 10 crime more shocking to
human nature marked the whole of their terrible pro-
cesses. They murdered by tens and by hundreds but
this Is a recommendation 10 carry CONFEDERATION and
death into the midst OF peaceful and mighty community
Can any man wonder at the excitement in the South,
when they see sach efforts and such objects openly
avoWed-ay officially sO-in portion OF country
claiming 10 be a law abiding and religious people'
Now, can any senator rise here in his place and say
that proclamation under these circumstances called for
and justified by fragrant breach of the law and in
community where such agitous declarations are made
showing every disposition to repeat the violence
proper and wise measure the part of the President
of the United S;aes' II he does he regards the duty
Of the Chief Magistrate IN different light from what
do. 6h#N a # ."a' a"" ##t
The honorable senator from Virginia Mr. MAsoNl
dwell the idea yesterday, and repeated il to-day as
proof that this law has not been faithfully executed that
the owners OF slaves, and their agents sent from the
slavehodng States, have been sued and prevented by
legal chcanery from the execution OF the coHhdea
to them Whose fault is that 1t is not the fault Of the
fugitive slave statute but the fault when there any, of
your system OF laws You cannot suspend the hdbsas
corpus ACT and you cannot always prevent the abuse of
How can you stop man from instituting suit against
me, although he has not the least shadow of lust
claim You cannot presuppose that such is the state
of the tor the very object OF suit is to examine
where the right is Does every days experience show
that impedimen after impeachment, almost without mum
Der, be thrown in the way OF justce There are
always too many lawyers to be found in all parts OF the
country far different in their principles and conduct from
the senator from Virginia, who willing all the
process OF the law to obtain the object OF their employers
Everybod knows this If the senator has tract OF
land in Michigan although his rights are fully Sc
cured TO It by the constitution as II II were in Virginia, still
his efforts 10 obtain possession may be defeated delay
ed almost indefinitely, while at the he may be
put 10 runous costs And so Of citizen of Michigan
who seeks his fugitive apprentice from Vir-
GINA But il cannot be said that the constitutional pro-
visions therefore violated because it requires and
OF tins unjust operation is owing to our system OF laws
opinion have long held, and have often expressed
system unworthy OF the age and unfit for the country
Its panegyrlss call II the perfection OF human sense for
my part, believe great deal OF 1t is the perfection OF
human originating in the darkest period of the
human intellect, and state OF society. under form of
government and amid feudal times, Of all which il is the
relic and instead OF promoting the great objects Of Free
and equal, and speedy justice, il too often ends in ruin
GUS injustice. ~.
Now appeal to the honorable senator from Virginia.
if he received personal injury in New York. which, in
stead of being followed by redress is followed by a suit
against him the part OF the wrong doer whose fault is
that Is violation Of the constitutional immunity
cured TO the citizens OF State when visiting another
Certainly not; for is JUS, likely to happen to him in
his State out OF it, And if apprentice escapes.
horse is stolen, debt is unpaid the thing
may happen. Redress is, most, money and
trouble and even then there is no certainty that it will be
attained
repeat that the abuse and delay OF the law the
faults OF the system and all acts OF Congress carry
effect the provisions of the constitution must be adj
mns,ered upon the general system, they of
subec, to It's defects The honorable senator says the
recapure OF fugitive slave is expensive-more so, 10
most men, than the real value do not doubt it; and
wish that practical remedy Were found for it, The SEN
aior suggests and until great deal OF the chcaney
OF the law is removed AN afraid efiectual one will
not be found But the grievance Is not confined 10 these
regions-it extends 10 all and if you will show me
community in Chrstendom where justice be obtained
through the law without cost and delay, You will show
what has baied the search of the most anxious in
quirers. But though am Knocked down in the streets
OF Richmond and can expect no remedy which will not
be tedious and expensive sui IL IS necessary Tor me 10
vindcaie my rights, or may have left to vim.
dicate II may be necessary TO Tecapture fugitive
slaves al almost any cost TO assert the power OF the law
and TO prevent escapes by showing that uglives will be
retaken repeat that the expense and trouble originate
IN circumstances independent OF the act OF Congress.
The honorable senator from Ohio lMr. CHAsEl has
gone exposition OF the compact for the recovery OF
fugitive slaves with view show that IL is the agency
OF the several States and not OF the general government
through which effect should be given 10 this provision.
shall not enter into this question al all II is not neces
| would
Just rights OF the South be affected solve il as we may
II the obligation is upon the general government,
Congress should provide The necessary legislation. II II
is upon the indrydsa States, each oil them should exc
cute that duty. Massachusetts would be no more alb.
solved from this constitutional duty in than in
the other. How would her attitude be any better, in a
moral point oil view by the transfer 10 her OF oblga
ton which the senator admits she would not execute,
and indeed contends she could not What would she
gain by claiming right under the constitution to regu
this subject, WHILE al the tme she Processes
openly she would do The evidence is upon her
statute book show not only that she could not aid the
enforcement OF this Obligation but that she disposed
10 nuy, far she the acts OF the general gov
eminent, and TO deprive the southern States OF great
constitutional guarantee.
The honorable senator from Ohio made strange allu-
sion towards the close OF his remarks He said that Gen
Gage issued proclamation in Boston which led to one
revolution. and ergo suppose, the proclamation oil Mr.
Fillmore will lead TO another. Mr.. President, IT an
American senator does the difference between the
power OF military commander OF foregn country,
three thousand miles off, assuming the right 10 bind TIE
colonies all Whatsoever and prociaiming designs
utterly suhversive of civil liberty, and the Chief Magis
,rate OF free people, exercising authority under
sution and government instituted and maintained oy all