Washington telegraph., 1851-12-17

|
slave law, the President gives additional
evidence of his intention to see it faith
'ully executed. He says:
Il is deeply to be regretted that, in several in
stances, officers of the Government, in attempting
10 execute the law, for the return OF "iugltives
from labor,' have been openly resisted, and their
efforts frustrated and defeated by lawless and
violent mohs-- that in one case, such resistance
resulted in the death of estimable citizen, and
in others, serious injury to those officers ana TO
individuals who were using endeavors to sustain
the laws. Prosecutions have been instituted
against the alleged offenders, so far as they are
identified, and are still pending. L have regarded
it as my dutY, in these cases, to give all aid legally
in my power to the enforcement Of the laws, and
shall continue to do so, whenever and wherever
their execution may be resisted The act Of Con-
gress for the return of 'fugitives from labor, is
one required and demanded by the express words
of the Constitution. The Constitution declares,
that no person held to service or labor IN one
State under the laws thereof, escaping into an
other, shall, in consequence of any law or regu-
laton therein, be discharged from such service, or
Iabor--but shall be delivered up on claim of the
party 10 whom such service or labor may be due.
This constitutional obligation sequally obligatory
upon the Legislative, the Executive and judicial
Departments of the Government, and upon every
must from necessity first act upon the subject, by
prescribing the proceedings necessary to ascertain
that the person is fugitive, aud the means to be
used for his restoration to the claimant This
was done by act Of Congress during the first
term Of President Washington. which was amend
ed by that enacted by the last Congress, and it
now remains for the Executive and Judicial De-
partments TO take care that these laws be faith
fully executed This injunction of the Consti-
fptio 10 nd dipr
other: i. stands exactly the same foundation
that clause which provides for the return of the
fugitive from justice, or that which declares that
no bill OF attander, or ex-post facto law, shall be
passed, or that which provides for an equality OF
taxation to the census, or the clause declaring
that all duties shall be uniform throughout the
United States, or the important provision that the
trial of all claims shall be by jury.
These several articles and claims OF the Con-
stitution, all resting on the same authority, must
stand or fall together. Some objections have
been urged against the details of the act for the
return of fugitives from labor but it is worthy of
remark that the main opposition is aimed against
the CONSTITUTION ITSELF, and proceeds from per-
sons and classes Of persons, many of whom de-
clare their wish to see the CONSTITUTION over
turned. They ayow their hostility to any law
which shall give full and practical effect to this
| requirement of the Constitution. Fortunately, the
number of these persons is comparatively small,
and is believed to be daily diminishing; but the
issue which they present is one which involves the
supremacy, and even the existence, of the Con-
stituton.
vduals have denied the binding authority of acts
of Congress, and even States have proposed to
nullfy such acts, upon the ground that the Con-
stituton was the supreme law OF the land, anc
that those acts of Congress were repugnant to
that instrument. But nnIlifcation is not aimed
so much against particular laws, as being incon-
sistent with the Constitution, rs against the Con.
sttution itself, and it is not TO be disguised that
spirit exists, and has been actually at work. TO
rend assunder this Union-the cherished inheri-
tance of our Revolutionary Fathers.
In my last annual message, stated that l
considered series of measures which had been
adopted at previous session, in reference TO the
agitation grow ing out Of the Territorial and slavery
questions, final settlement in principal and
substance, Of the dangerous and exciting subjects
which they embraced; and | recommended ad.
herence to the adjustment established by those
measures, until time and experience should demon
state the necessity Of further legislation 10 guard
against evasion against abuse l not in
Cuced to make this recommendation because /
thought those measures perfect, for human
legislation can be perfect Wide differences and
jarring Of opinion can only be reconced by yield
ing all sides; aud this result had been reached
utter an angry CONlt;cl Oh MANY UloNlDS, IN Wncn
one part of the country arrayed against an
other, and violent convulsop seemed to be i'm
mnent Looking at the interests Of the entire
country, felt it TO be my duty to seize upon this
Compromise, as the best that could be obtained
amid conflicting interests, and to insist upon its
anal settlement, to be adhered to by all who value
the peace and welfare of the country.
year has now elapsed since that recommon-
daton was made. To that recommendation,
still adhere; and congratulate you and the coun-
try upon the general aceuiescence in these mea-
sures of peace, which has been exhibited in all
parts Of the Republic. And not only is there this
general acquescence in these measures, but the
spirit of Cancellation which has been manifest in
all parts Of the country, has removed doubts and
uncertainties in the minds Of thousands Of good
men, concerning the durability of popular in
stitutions, and given renewed assurances that our
Liberty and our Union may subsst together for the
benefit Of this and all succeeding generations.
LOUISIANA ELEcTIeN.--T The official re-
turns are all received with the exception
OF one Parish, which is ported Moore,
whig, is elected to Congress from the