Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-03-20
The JeGersonian.


in favor Of positive action of intervention The resolu
lions of the Convention which nominated Gov Wright,
was for non-intervention. They resolved that the
newly acquired territories free, il /" the duty
of Congress prevent the introduction of slavery with
in their limits" By this the Convention only
say that should any attempt be made establish the in
stuton OF slavery in those territories, it the duty
of Congress TO prohibit such action This has always
been our position, and we still adhere to it. We have
never changed opinions that subject, and have
on all occasions opposed the Wilmot proyso-not be-
cause the principle was wrong for we always OPP
posed to the extension of slavery into territories
but because we believed it to be a mere abstraction
wholly unnecessary and only calculated to rritate the
South, without beneftting the North and in the cele
brated contest for Speaker which is the text for those
who desire to assa the editor, fl soer will say we
ever, by word or act, favored the Wilmot Proviso We
opposed the extension of slavery, opposed all
legislation the subject, and in favor of entire d.
of the General Government from the institution,
leaving the vexed question the States where it be-
longs The oyerbearing and domnecring spirit Of
tain Southern gentlemen; who determined to
ride the Just sentiment of the North, we always con-
demned in the strongest terms; but when the compro
mise reported by the committee of thir
teen, which yielding up Of extreme opinions, we
gave them our hearty support, whole, and after
their defeat in the Senate, supported them sepa
Our friend, speaking of those measures
says, they were hit upon, by political DOCTORS
congregated the capital" By these political doctors
lie means such Cass, Clay, Webster, Foote
Dickinson, Bright, Douglas, sc. We thought cur
country safe in the hands of such patriots and will
ling adopt their measures Our friend Elder VIC pre-
sumo, would have preferred such doctors as Seward
Tom Ewing, Allen, Wilmot, Giddings, and Julian.
The editor thinks assertion absurd that the fugi-
tive slave law be touched without disturbing the
rest Of the We still adhere to that assertion
Here series of measures which the President in
his annual message, says he regards settlement of
this question. By these measures, the North
the admission of California free State the establish
mcnt of territorial governments for New Mexico and
Utah. without the recognition of slavery, which, the
have decided. prohibition, and the
abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia
The South, her part of the compromise, obtains
law for the return of fugitive slaves. Can the North,
having the strength, say the South We hold YOU to
your part of the bargain but will disregard our part
we believe in higher law'l Can this be done, with
out producing any Disturbance 1t cannot Common
justice and common honesty forbids it. Again our CO.
temporary says:
We regard the passage Of that law trucklrg the
South. The law of 1893, we think was amply sufIi-
cient to protect the rights Of the South and have
been unable to sec the necessity for stringent
law.
We have repeatedly given the reasons, and here
peat them They such should be satisfactory to
every unpreiadced mind. The law of 1898 authorized
State magistrates Issue warrants for the arrest of m
gtve slaves, and grant certificates of ownership as
under the present law. This operated very well, until
by decision of the Supreme Court, it was held hat
State magistrates may if they choose, exercise that Gu-
horty unless prohibited BY State legislation" In this
opinion the whole court was united Following this,
laws passed in several States, prohibiting State Of
cers from carrying out this law and prohibng the use
of county ais for the confinement of ugitives, whilst
other States made it indctabe offence for the owner
to carry back fugitive save which in effect destroyed
the Constitutional rights of the South They complain
ed as they had right to complain of the want of good
faith the part OF the Northern States The necess
ty, them for the present law, to give the same u
rsdicton, which under the old law had been given to
State magistrates to the United States Commissioners
In every other respect the law is no more stringent than
the law of 17o3 which received the sanction of Wash
secure.
The editor asks why Senators Cas-, Bright, and
Whitcomb did vote on the passage of the BILL The
failure of these gentlemen VOTE has been sufficiently
explained. II the weapon used by the enemies of
Mr.. Bright, to defeat his reelection and see no
why Mr. Elder should continue to urge IT, for the
purpose of injuring him. when the whole matter has
been fully and satisfactorily explained. No one ex
pecied that the vote would be taken the day it was
and Gen Cass and Gov. Bright, who both commit
ted in favor Of the bill by their report from the committee
Of thirteen absent the Departments attending to
business for their constituents. Gov. Whcomb's bad
health prevented his regular attendance the stngs
of the Senate although he generally there and for
that reason absent when the vote was taken. He
has however shown what are his opinions, by moving
and voting to lay the table all petitions for the repeal
Of this law. Mr.. Bright has, all occasions, avowed
his opposition its repeal and declared that he would
have voted for it, had he been present. As to Gen.
Casss views we better express them, than by
giving the following extract from letter recently writ
ten by him:
The compromise laws of the last session Of Congress
are upon the Statnte Book There let them re-
MAN. in all their essential features, invioablc the
Constitution itself Let them be considered the great
national arrangement of the various objects they
BRACE at once monument Of mutual concession, and
pledge that should similar feelings arise between var
Gus portions Of country. they will be SINH
lar spirit and harmony and tranquility restored y for
bearance and moderation.
If such counses prevail, the American people, for gen.
eratons to follow, will come together you do now,
upon this haowed day. and while in the ullness Of their
hearts, they interchange reiocings upon their political
condition, they will invoke blessings upon the memory
Of those Who struggling with difficulties, laid the lcun
dasn of their prosperity and greatness in the equal
rights of man. and finished their work by fabric OF