The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-09

Eriraeis from G,


have thus advered 10 the course OF this State in lis
national relations from desire 10 revive past discus.
sons, but iron conviction that is due TO people
vndcate them from mputsons OF sectional prejudice.
Indifference 10 constitutional obligations, or hostility 10
the rights other portions OF the republic II there is
danger 10 the Union from any quarter, Iel0ce TO say
that II will not be found within our borders. Men Of
IRENE opinions may be found ip every community but
The great body OF the people OF New York aware
that the constitution OF the United States framed and
adopted in the spirit OF compromise. and that It must be
faithfully maintained in the same spirit They at
tached TO the Union they cherish an ardent devotion
il, and desire TO IL preserved BY manifestations Of
mutual Difference and regard between the States com
posing H.
Although New York might maintain respectable ail-
tude before the world, and would not fa TO preserve her
liberties an independent Stale she would regard
dissolution OF the Union from any cause the greatest
calamity which could befall mankind. Whenever The
American Union is destroyed, the cause Of constitutional
government will be peried BY the shock and the friends
OF liberty everywhere will mourn over The fall OF mighty
fabric which anmaies the hopes and commands
the admiration OF the world Every patriot must desire
that all causes OF irritation or disagreement between
the different parts OF common country may speedily
disappear II should be the aim OF all 10 alay
tona aninoses, and to restore those kindly sentiments
which united ancestors TO noble efforts and common
trials.
The questions resulting from our recent conquests
having been disposed OF by the action OF Congress- there
be sufficient cause for eaouses and dssensions
between the North and the South The most serious Of
past differences produced by territorial acQus
tons and they strkngly admonish US that il is indis
pensabe to our future peace and happiness that bounds
should be set to the spirit OF conquest and that the en-
egies of the general government should be directed
those great and benecent objects IN which all sections
have common interest. and for which the constitution
The provision Of the federal compact requiring the
turn Of fugilves from labor however repugnant TO the
sentiments OF many OF our people, is OF paramount au.
should be observed in good faith In egslating upon
subject of such difficulty, it obvious that more than
usual care was necessary that in enforcing the claims OF
a.
the rights of the other While the claim Of the southern
stakeholder to recapure his slave is fully admitted the
right of the northern free man to prove and defend his
freedom is equally sacred Both alike under the pro-
tecting OF our common constitution.
II cannot be denied that the recent act Of Congress for
giving fuller effect to the provisions requiring the return
OF fugitive slaves has excited dissatisfaction many po
tons Of the country carrying them almost to the extreme
OF threatening resistance TO the law But all good clti
will recoec that whatever may be their individual
feelings or opinions in regard to the policy or proprey OF
any legislative enactment, is their plain duty. long
it remains in force, TO sustain the authorities legl
mately charged with its execution. aa iI
Apprehensions have been entertained that, under the
hastily considered provisions of the act passed during
period OF unusual agitation, persons oil color claiming 10
be ee and really Free not allowed those reasonable
opportunities, and those customary legal safeguards,
cessary 10 enable them to establish BY adeq proof
the fact of their freedom has shown this
belief 10 be not merely speculative, and that the danger
hata free man, ander The summary mode IN which that
law be executed may be hurried into captivity, is not
wholly imaginary. .e
We cannot and we do not believe that the South. any
than the North, aims al desires such result
will insist retaining provisions leading to such excl
ting consequences We shall rely not only on their sense
of propnety and reciprocal Justice but their calm convc
ton that the law itself to be permanent must be reasona-
BILE. for their uniting, after due reflection with their
brethren of the North in kind and dispassoate spirit
in reviewing such clauses may be found detective or
objectionable and in conserving such jndcious modh
cations may command general approval
Id the mean time, people must be lett free TO ex.
anime its provisions and practical operation Their vital
and fundamental right discuss the merits OF this any
other law passed by their representatives constitutes the
very basis OF republican system, and can never be
surrendered Any attempt to restrain II would be ar
more dangerous than its frees exercise But in all such
discussions should divest ourselves OF sectional OF
partisan prejudice, and exercise spirit OF comprehensive
PATRIOTISM respecting alike the rights OF every portion Of
our common country.