The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-19

sna'i 40 because petitions which have presented,
aud winch presume were Of similar kind. went TO the
COMMITTEES on the Judiciary presented petition some
weeks SINCE praying for The repeal of the fugitive slave
law, wnch upon NY monos was referred to the Com
mluee on me Judiciary. ] believed that II proper
that II should go TO that committee, and | have not
changed my opinion since. Although am opposed, to-
aiy opposed to all sgitanon OF that question. and be-
ieving That will do mischief and nothing but mischief
shall nevertheless vote against the reconsideration of
tbs vote by which the petition which has led TO the
present debate was referred TO the Committee on the Ju
dietary.
But let rae say this that believe that il all petitions
upon ms subject had been treated other petitions have
been treated, II would have taken away ground OF ag
atoh al the North. Now, sir, the refusing 10 refer
THESE petitions IS made ground of complaint by these
peoples and those even who do not sympaIhze with them
al all IN Their object still sometimes complain that their
etlons are not treated with the respect that is due 10
respectable peuon on the part OF our cuzens Sir,
nave no counsel TO give 10 the Senate beyond this sug
gestion But whilst VOTE as have iutimated that ]
should against The reconsideration, because petitions
which have presented have gone to the Committee on
the Judiciary am opposed TO disturbing thus law. be-
leye mat under the construction which has been gwen
to this provision in my State by It's judiciary or
rather by the judicial officers Of the United States there,
1t wall come TO no harm. Therefore, opposed TO It's
or elsewhere.
| Mr.. HAMLIN will detan the Senate but single
moment and regret that deem IL to be necessary even
to occupy lis attention for that Tune should not do so
were Il not Tor The manner in which the senator IRON
Georgia assaed this memorial Ii is true thahe memo
nal IS composed OF different pieces OF paper, attached to-
gether, and II is also true that the original memorial
which he has read is printed. believe is the usual
course OF senators here to present printed memorials al
description, though relating TO other matters, this very
day. aud neither the Chair nor other senator took
exception because II was printed They are presented
here printed upon various subjects.
The PRESIDENT 1.-THE senator aIludes TO the Chair,
he will say that he could not possibly ascertain the ma
ture OF the memorial until his attention was called to IT,
Mr. HAMLlN. alluded TO the manner in which the
Char called the attention OF the Senate TO the fact that
the memorial Was printed:
| The PRESIDENT The Chair would be under the
necessity OF rejecting printed memorials his alenlioH
Mr.. HAMLIN | have not heard the suggestion OF
the Char. have now to state the reasons specifically
which enable to state the character of the men
who signed that memorial, and who forwarded it to me.
hold in my hand communication from William Mill
ken, who Is well known to myself, and to my colleague
think as being OF the most respectable and worthy
citizens OF Maine man for whose honor and integrity
stand here to vouch who at this time one OF the State
senators, who is, and always was and doubt not al
ways will be, of the strailest sec-a democrat lie
forwards this memorial to and assures me that II was
signed by the persons whose pupo to be attached
TO ii and upon that authority presented il here, and by
that authority shall stand, believe il to be reliable
| TO the fullest extent.
| One word more and have done The reasons which
the memoalists give are their own, and not mine may
be in favor OF a repeal modification for vastly other
reasons than any they may state. Their reasons are
their own. may neither quarrel with them tor Their
disagree with them Their opinions their own, and
honestly expressed, have doubt But believe that,
inasmuch as the sub ect-maer of modification, or what
believed to be modification, of this question had been
referred to the Judiciary Committee it was but just and
proper that memorials of kindred character should also
90 TO that committee. stated al tue tine that we had
had the OF the Senate already tested once, that
memorials for the repeal of that law should not be sent
10 that committee and had, when presenting these uni
formy myself moved TO lay them on the table, though
against my judgment, but merely because it was IN
accordance with the decision OF the Senate see now
no reason why any memorial Tor MODIFICATION TO mitigate
the penalties of that should not receive our favorable
consideration, well the bill which seeks to impose
additional penalties: 1t right and just that should
be referred For these reasons asked its reference
and II went quietly 10 that committee. Who, then, is
answerable tor these debates Let the Senate and the
Mr. PEARCE Mr.. President, the senator from New
Hampshire, tMr. HALE using very free language; has
spoken OF which recently occurred IN Philadel
phia case Of kidnapptng. That word has a distnc
aud well known slgnhea,ion-not mere, legal mean
ing but sense IN which II is universally applied IN or
binary use Neither in that nor any other sense IL
which ii understood it be properly applied Il
the in Philadelphia TO which he has alluded know
The parties sir, and the commissioner by whom that
was decided He is man OF honor and lawyer o.
ability, and as little likely to be guilty OF any thing te
justify the application TO him OF the VOID kidnapping as
the lroH New Hampshire himself. Sir, IT was
Gaze OF ordinary occsence. Regular process was issued
for the recovery OF fugitive slave testimony was taken
pro and con, and the commissioner decided according
his Judgment and with perfect integrity OF purpose,
| | am very sure. There was, | admit, unfortunately
mistake of dentty-nothing more-Iust such a mistake
OF identity has occurred thousand times IN judicial
4
gentleman has right 10 apply TO mistake of identity
unless he prepared TO make charge OF fraud The term
kidnapping There has been OF kidnapping, and
the gentleman TO whom suppose that term would ap
ply-the commissioner who made the decision-s one oil
the last IN The community 10 which he belongs to
whom II could with propuety be applied. i know the
parties, and may say this; that the promputude with
which the mistake corrected by one oil my constli-
uents and neghbors is very good proof how false have
been the charges that this law would be deliberately con
vered into instrument OF fraud and oppression The
mistake corrected as promptly as was possible. Thai
/ is enough Tor southern character
| But tie senator from New Hampshire tells us that he
delights in agitation, and he has made discovery in
philosophy that agitation is an eemenr'-what sorl
OF an element" have not chemical knowledge enough
| to ascertain.
The senator compares the agitatons of what be calls
foul and etid couuptons 10 the heavenly and benign
action told OF in Scrpture-hat gentle SURFING OF the
waters occasoned by the angelic presence, which invited
suffering humanity 10 receive It's benign influences! This
he kened 10 thai agitation which, stirred by mistaken
feigned philanthropy, has wrought so much evil, and
has threatened much more to the destruction OF ma
ona harmony, and everything good and valuable among
US He delights IN agitation, he says abhor it. Thai
gentle stirring of the waters scarcely he compared
without lrreverence 10 the mschievous agitation which
he seems cherish Sir abhor agitation, because the
first agtator heard OF in the world The very last
being OF whom should speak with anythng but
adherence. The devil was the first sga,or He II was
who, in the guise of serpent crept into Eden He found
the primal pair living in peace innocence, and obedience
! The womans heart he corrupted, and so
| "Brooght Death into the world, and all our wo"
lie was the first agtator Who will be the last il is
not for me tell but the Senate well Imagine how
are prominent sgators the present day in the strict
linz AZ a