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

"A States OF THIS Uniont pfotecuon III
hr.n in the other free States desire 10 turn their
ss into free. negro colonies willing they shall
{onopoize the whole OF that species OF emigration. For
"a we claim 10 be white people-we claim that our
k.s ia composed of a white community. We will pro.
81 Ihs negfnss born within the State, who there
ote this pro VISION was passed; but We hold out
(c.meus no encouragement Tor negro 10 come into IT,
hiber he be free or slave. II he be free negro lei
pn remain in The State where he was born or 20 to
Nose States whose tastes lead them 10 place the negro
y an equal footing with the white ii be be a slave,
Fl him remain with his master, where The constitution
Ma uIaced him These regulations were adopted a
(a,,rr for our own sei-deieDce. know that my friend
rom South Carolina MIR. BUTLER would no, have init
Lated that we have invited this class OF people into
Sata If he had been familiar with these local laws In
{ard sir 10 the State OF Indiana. nearest negh bo,
gill say according TO my Information, that her legsla
on is substantially the same as ours upon this subject
Tins is all have TO say on that point and only rose to
Rnt there was one remark made by the senator frem
Dino [Mr CHAsEl which feel 1t my duty TO notice,
because regard as very gross caumny upon the free
Saia. of this Union That senator went to state,
{hat nasmuch as the constitution of the United States
IMPOSED an obligation upon each State OF the Union to
nrrender fgitives from labor therefore the Congress Of
he limited States had right TO eglslae upon the sub
eel do not object to thus opinion of his upon the sub
rct although II happens 10 De IN direct conflict with
he decisions OF the supreme Court OF the United States
But sir, after laying down that proposition as express
M his opinion he refers 10 the decision OF the Su
eme Court OF the United States In the OF Prgg Us
pennsy lvania, and says tina, decision practically ex-
6unged from the constitution that clause in relation TO the
nrIender OF ugitives from la Dor. presume that
Nor does not mean intimate that the Supreme Court
n the United States intended to expunge il; presume
BE does not that anything they have stated in this
kecision expungss III presume he does not mean that
m decision is in direct conflict with that clause of the
constituton; but understand him to that il the
boctrne could prevail that the Congress OF the United
States had right to upon the subject and that
he power reserved exclusively TO the States the
free States would not execute the law, That is wha,
understand him to mean | understand him to mean
that while the constitution of the United States requires
LIVERY member OF the Legislature every State of the
Union to take oath TO support the constitution of the
limited States, and while no man can be Judge, JUS
ce OF the peace. constable, sheriff. any other Of
cer under The general government without first taking
|an oath to support the constitution OF the United
States, yet his constituents, the lexsl ature which have
Elected him this body, would be to their
duties under the constitution. SO false TO their God that
They would violate their OATH order to nuy the
|sliulion OF their country That is what understand
him TO say
Mr. CHASE. Gn,erposing) presume the senator
docs not wish TO mlsrepresent me would ask him to
ALLOW me TO make an explanation.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Certainly should like 10 hear the
|ex explanation
MIR. CHASE. Mr.. President, the senator shall have
it, The decision in the of Prgg made by the Su-
preme Court denies 10 the legislatures OF the States the
power 10 egsae and what does the honorable
mean when he talks about State legislature being
an 10 It's God and 10 It's pubic duty because they reu
10 execute power which the decision of the Supreme
Court denies TO them | say when that decision was
made denied TO the legislatures the power of executing
t, swept the Legislation OF the States from the statute
books and inasmuch il then devoved upon the Con-
ess 10 pass laws carry into effect this power and those
laws must carry into effect the power by the power of
the general government, il would, in my judgment, be
impractcabe 10 execute them TO give full effect.
! did not intimate, and | have never intmated, that
there to be any organized opposition publicly
toned by law but in the minds of such community
the officers Of the general government and therefore,
because that decision devoved upon Congress the duties
Of legislation. because il denied il 10 the States, it did,
in my judgment, practically expunge that clause from
The constitution respect the Judges OF the Supreme
Court as well as any man. believe they acted
according TO their own convictions, and | think
very considerable numbers concur in their opinions
The decision was, Tor It's int nded purpose unioru
nate one.
Mr. DOUGLAS Mr. President, will tell the hon
orabe senator from Ohio Mr.. CHAsEl what meant by
should prevail that Congress of the United States had
mo power TO upon the subject and that this gov
enment lad power TO enforce these laws, and that
each State was left TO act for itself-I understood
|hm 10 intimate that the law would be practically dead
letter and that nmaon implied that every officer in
every free State OF this unlon and every citizen of every
free State would be Tecreant 10 his obligation under the
constitution and under his oath
Mr. CHASE, lin his seat) | am not responsible for
|,he understanding OF the senator.
Mr. DOUGLAS, will not hold him responsible for
fny understanding; but now, sir, will analyze his
estandng as he has proclaimed it TO the Senate day
|ie says that the decision practically nulIhes that pro-
ssion IN the constitution OF the United States. How
pr, does II practically nufy it, That decision declares
hat is the duty OF the Congress OF the United States TO
laws for the carrying Of that provision of the
hluuon into effect Ii the senator had obeyed that de
son, and had obeyed the constitution in obedience 10
be would have been here the advocate OF the fugitive
aw, instead OF It's enemy. That would have been his
putty under the decision TO which he refers But, SIR
That decision goes further. Ii says the constitution is
imperative, comforting right TO reclaim slave; that
me master has right to go and reclaim him. and that
Ieuzen has right TO object obslruct IT, How could
mai decision make that clause OF the constitution dead
|leleTt II that senator and those who act with him
would yield obedience 10 that decision, and TO the const
luton and Their oa,hs by aiding in the execution OF the
law, The ugves woald be surrendered, and the consti
luton would not be a dead letter The RESPONSE
|oly lor ihs open resistance 10 law and disregard
|o duty rests upon the senator and those who act
on the principles he lnculeates, and not upon the
decision TO which he refers When every citizen per-
Oms his duty under the constitution as expounded by the
supreme Court, the laws will be faithfully executed
"hen the senator says that they will not, he casts
npuahon upon The people OF the free States that they
VIII disregard the constitution disregard their oaihs to
support H. disregard the decisions OF the Supreme Court
we United States, and that they will take the law into
her own hands, and raise the standard of rebellion
against lhe iedsral government That is what underssn
De the Direct legitimate Consequence OF the Argument
Hnh he senator has made and against that that
rose 70 make my protest here. believe il to be cal.
mny upon the free States of this Union TO say thai
nef sous are not prepared to perform every obligation
Shuef me constitution. do not believe that the free
de OF lhis Union ever sent will send To this body
vo' senator's who claim that there is law higher"
as ue constitution, which authorizes them TO commit
nuy 10 Their God and treason to their country hy disc.
port ~ my ~ ~ " 'P
,nese Mr. President, are my opinions upon this sub
eL rear have been led TO protract my remarks be-
5onu Whal intended Bat must claim the indulgence
" IohoW Inc senator little further. lie says he can
s,,n w. necessity ior this proclamation Well will not