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

precisely what we wanted donehey have struck at the root
Of the evil. They not only tell US that may recapturs
slaves but they beyond the fugitive law and say that
fugitives shall among them Does this afford just
of complaint Ought not be the subject of
gatuston rather Ought not to be regarded another
and the highest evidence the part Of the great Northwest
Of their determination preserve uDbroken the bonds Of
bothery love, and maintain unmpaird the social and po
tcal ties which link destinies together their feaIy
to the constitution matter OF any doubt before, has
now ceased be and the South even disposed to CEN
sure which not the case would look in vain for any
Of reProach The people of the Mississippi valley, whether
upon Its northern its southern was must have common
destiny Their commerce flows through the channels
inc pooa courses m their VEINS and matter what
be attempted on the Atlantic coast tAere is mighty power
beyond the mountains at whose bidding the Of faction
must roll back and the aess preachers Of sedon be awed
into silence
have thought right to say this mach in censeonsnce Of
the range which this debate has taken II do net feel that it
necessary to say and conclude with tbs remark that
the President has done his duty faithfully and pgompy nor
have any doubt but that he will be found equal any future
emergency
Mr.. BORLAND No one, Mr., President, can regret more
than do that this subject has been introduced into the Sem
ate. No would enter into its discussion with greater
reluctance nor, indeed, shall say more than yery few
words upon two points But, since il is here and
occupies it fails to do when introduced IN over
shadowing prominence among our proceedings, avail
Of the occasion presents to do what regard Of
justice to myseto say here what have already said at
home. My constituents know and desire it be known
here that had been here when the fugitive slave law
passed at the last session, should have voted for it. Severe
and proacted domestic acton occupied and detained
beyond the time when could my seat and perform
that duty But sir while should have voted for the bill
proposed to the Observance of constitutional
obligation, is due to truth to say that should have voted
in view of the promises it made and its advocates made for
it. rather than from any confidence had in its competency
to redeem those promises any expectation entertained
that either would could be faithfully and efficiently
cuted And, sir although no one lament it more than
do yet am compelled say that my Of confidence
has been justified by the resuthat my expectations and
painful ones they have not been disappointed butt
the contrary have been feauly realized. What appre-
hension-expectaton at first, has become conviction
conviction unwecome repugnan painful to my feelings
is, which is forced upon my mind by facts staring
in the ace-facts both numerous and significant
We have been told and again. andits reteraon
Is hardly done sounding in ears that the provisions Of
this law not only be- but haze been executed eectuay
and in good faith. To my mind the very Of this
to be true To it that instead Of
curing the observance Of constitutional obligations and bring
ing peace, and quiet and harmony excited, agtated,
and distracted country, was promised, and BY many be-
ieved the very opposes of all these and valid
able blessings are confronting and depressing
Much excitement and agitation had here during the
last session Of Congress this subject there is more and
worse now-and certainly occasion for it. Fearful
the approximations which held the public mind Of the
country in thradom during the last year. they not
at any rate the grounds for them fearful
because not palpable, by oneha they this time.
So far then, from this law having answered the purposes
and fulfilled the promises indicated by its terms and made
BY its advocates, has in my opinion, done harm rather
than good.
do not question the sincerity of Senators who say they
believe this law has been and will be faithfully executed
that it has answered the purpose for which it passed
that 1t has fulfilled its mission of peace harmony and the
preservation Of the constitution. accord to them perfect
sincerity and candor in all this but do question the grounds
upon which they rest their opinions. Now, what the
facts We told that this law has beeh executed. How
has it been executed When and where has this execution
taken place Can any Senator these questions
The Senator from South Carolina Mr. BUrLER) stated yes
erday that there fifteen thousand fugitive slaves in the
free States believe the be 1t is believed
to be true in the Southit is admitted the North. have
heard the number stated be less than that Assum
ng then, this Rumberthat there fifteen thousand ug
tive slaves from the South in the free Staes-I inquire how
many have been ecaptued and recovered under this law
Will any tell me What proportion in number do the
recaptured and recovered slaves bear to the ugves Will
any Senator who confidently procaims the successful
operation of this law make the calculation FIFTEEN
THOUSAND lost how many recovered Will any say
that there has been ten, one hundred
10 thousand? Does any one know of fifteen that have
been recovered! Can any tell of dozen,
ten Senator says not more than fUe Sr. /
believe that to be true Not than fus sir of
FIFTEEN THOUSAND! How does such fact-hat many
fugves and few have been recovered-square with
the opinion that the law has been faithfully and successfully
executed such be the result of its success pray what
would be that of its failure If the latter would he differ
ent, for the South in any practical respect,
ess myself be of those who unable appreciate
the difference or the aggravation
Much Stress know, has been laid upon the single of
the runaway, Long, recapured in the city Of New York.
We have been told that this alone is demonstration,
gratifying and encouraging demonstration alike of the
and efficiency Of this aw and Of the disposition and purpose
Of the people Of the free States fulfil their constitutional
obligations by obeyng and executing its provisions But to
my mind, the reads very different lesson. is in
the single fact Of the result being recovery of the fugitive
that look for the true character and bearing of this
is rather from the circumstances which marked the
proceedings in 1t that estimate its importance and
form judgment of the kind and degree Of influence it
calculated to exercise Now what those circumstances
The Senator from Virginia MAsoS stated yesterday that
the pecunary expenses alone which attended this recovery
equad Cor very nearly in amount the on value OF the slave
home Add to this the delays and other personal difficult
ties and annoyances which the claimant had to encoun-
ter, and who will say that in fact, recovery Of his
property Who will admit that SO far his interest and
his comfort and advantage concerned he had
better remained home, and let his slave 60 free Who will
deny that actually he sustained loss beyond the nominal
value Of his property instead of receiving that which the law
declared to be his own With such delays, difficulties
noyances expenses (and in instances personal dam
gers) staring him in the face what Southern will pur-
with the view Of recovering, his fugitive slave The
question is fully and emphacay answered by the fact that
few have done that, while many fugives in the
free States few have been pursued and still
ed In facts like these do you find the faithful and
full execution of this law Is this the fu6Iment Of the pro-
that made in behalf Of this law Is this the reaza-
ton Of the hope that held the South the time
of its passage If sir it indeed many feared,
empty promise and delusive hope.
The right of the master to his slave by this law clearly
recognised and the Of maintaining that right indicated
and authorized BY its provisions. But Of what value is
right Of what utility the Of enforcing it. if confined
- 49, IL