The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1851-07-11
SPEECH OF sENATOI. CHASE,

/ ~ - 'SA<ANA n nv OAAHAA<t
Deliucred at Toledo, May 80, 1851, be.
| fore a Mass Convention of the Dem
ocracy of Northwestern Ohio.
(coNcLuDED.)
This act also denounces severe penal
ties against all who directly or indirectly
transgress its provisions. Aiding or
abelling in any way the escape of fugi.
tive, is penal offence. IF Congress can
do this, Congress may also declare what
acts shall constitute such aiding or abet-
ting. Speaking, writing, publishing
against slavery, may be said TO tend TO
induce the escape Of slaves; and may,
therefore, be made penal offences by
some new Fugitive Slave act. If the
act of 1850 is constitutional, such an act
would be constitutional. In comparison
with such legislation, how harmless and
Insignificant were those Alien and Sedi-
tion laws which excited such indignation
among the Fathers of Democracy in the
days of Jefferson!
Fellow.citizens, opposed the enact
ment of this Jaw. ! spoke against it;
voted against it. l shall never cease 10
demand IFS repeal. trust that you will
vote for no man 10 represent you in Con.
gress who will not insist upon its repeal
know very we'll to what perils ex.
pose myself by this declaration. My
name will be Of course enrolled on the
list Of the prescribed. The authors and
supporters Of the compromise measures,
not content with carrying them through
Congress, have entered into solemn
league and covenant against all who
shall dare TO question their wisdom, or
contest their permanence. With an auda-
city and arrogance unparalleled in the
legislative history Of this country, they
issued agains: all the opponents Of these
measures, their edict Of exclusion from
The Offices and honors Of the Republic.
"They declare" they say, "tkat they will
not support, for the office of President OF
Vice President, or Of Senator or Repre-
sentative in Congress, or as member ot
State Legislature"-why not add for con-
stable, hog reeve or fence viewer?-''any
man, Of whatever party, who is not known
TO be opposed to the disturbance of the
settlement aforesaid, and 10 the renewal,
in any form, of agitation upon the subject
of slavery.n
Fellow-ciiizens, am an independent
man. Thus far inlife l have earned my
own living by my own labor. I have had
but little assistance except from the head
and hands that God gave me. can live
without office. want no office upon
the terms dictated by this league and
covenant ofproscription. In the position
which | occupy, as one of the Senators
of this great State, I shall act as myjudg-
ment and conscience prompt; never de-
parting from the great landmarks Of the
Democratic faith; whoever may de-
nource, whoever may applaud.
But, fellow.citizens, if this covenant
against agitation were fulfilled with any
strictness, ! know Of none who would be
more obnoxious to its penalties than the
covenanters themselves; for since the
day it was signed and sealed, who have
been SO busy in agitation as these de-
nouncers Of agitation? II is but a few
days since the head Of the Wing Admins
tration, with the greater part of his Cabl-
net, traversed several States, everywhere
r-oclaiming themselves and the support
ors of the compromise measures as the
exclusive friends of the Union, and de-
nouncing all who dared TO oppose them
as disorganizers and revolutionists. A
stranger to our institutions would be apt
10 infer, from the tenor Of their speeches,
that slavery was indeed the cornerstone
of the Republic, and that the main object
of public care was TO maintain and uphold
It. No agitation seems too violent-no
denunciation too loud, if directed against
the opponents of slavery. The supporters
of the Fugitive Slave law, and its kindred
measures, are not so much opponents as
monopolists of agitation. Now am op-
posed TO all monopolies. II there is TO
be continued agitation upon this subject,
desire to have some hand in il. If
there is to be agitation in support Of the
Fugitive Slave bill and the Texan COM
promise, l desire TO agitate little against
these me asures, which nv judgment and
conscience alike condemn. And ! mean to
speak against them, and TO warn the peo-
pie against them, on all suitable occasions,
however high the quarter from which de-
nunciations ofsuch course may proceed.
1t is claimed that these compromise
measures were a settlement the slavery
question. This is mere mockery. Every
man who has an eye 10 see, or an car to
hear, knows that the question is not set
tied. 1t is more unsettled than ever.
The Fugitive Slave bill has thrown into
the cauldron Of controversy new elements,
and applied to it 6ercer flames. 1t de-
grades the State sovereignties; it makes
every mans personal freedom insecure; ;
it sends ito marshals and deputy marshals
among US 10 seive any man who may be
claimed as a fugitive from service. 1t
clothes its irresponsible Commissioners
with powers TO enforce that claim with
out affoKding any adequate opportunity