Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-03

Of escaping into another, sha in Consequence of aav
law or regulation therein, be discharged from such
service or labor but shall be delivered up claim Of
me party TO whom such service labor may be doe"
ns constitution provision equally obligatory upon
the Legislative, the Executive and Judicial Depart.
mems o. me government, and upon every citizen ofthe
| Congress, howtvar, must, from necessity first act
upon the sulJecthy prescribing the proceedings neces-
say to ascerta in that the person is fncye and The
means TO he used Tor his resoraii 10 the clamant
las was done by an act passed during the first term
OF President Washington, which was amended by that
enacted by the last Congress and it now remains for
the Executive and judicial Departments to take care
thatthese laws be faithfully executed. This jpunc-
ton OF he Constitution az peremptory and as bind
ing any other it stands exactly on the same founds.
ton as that CLAUSE which provides fr his return OF flu.
gtves from justice, that which declares that no bill
OF attainder post fdct0 law shall be passed or
thai which provides for co laliy Of taxation, &C.
cording TO the census, or the clause declaring that all
duties shall be uaorm throughout the United States,
or the important provision that the trial OF all crimes
snail be by jury These several articles and clauses Of
| Inc Constitution al resting on the same authority,
| must stand or tail together Some objections have
been urged against the details of the for the return
OF fuglves from labor but it is worthy of remark that
the main opposition is amc against the Constitution
tself and proceeds from persons and classes of per-
sons, many of whom declare their wish 10 see that
Constitution overturned. They avow their hostility 10
any law which shall give full and practical eff ct to
this requirement ofIhe Constitution. Fortunately, the
number OF there per ons is comparatively sm all, and is
believed 10 be daily diminishing, but the which
they present is one which involv, the SUPP emacy and
even the existence of the Constitution.
Cases have heretofore arisen in which individuals
have denied the binding authority of acts OF Congress-
and even States have proposed to nulfy such acts,
upon the ground that the constitution the supreme
law oil the land, and that those acts of Congress
repugnant to that instrument; but qualification is now
aimed, not SO much against parcuartaws as being in
consistent with the Constitution, as ag lest h- Cor
siituiion ITSELF and Is BIZ disguised that spirit
exists and has been actively at woik rend asunder
this Union, which is cherished inheritance from
our revolutionary fathers
In my last annual message stated that consider
ed the series OF measures, which had been aderted
at the previous session, in reference to the aetaon
growing out OF the Territorial and slavery questions,
as final s>ttlem Mt IN principle and substance of the
dangerous and exciting suhjrcts which they embrac-
ed; and recommended adherence to the Adjustment
established by those measures, until time aud expe
renee should demonstrate the necessity OF further
legislation to guard against evasion or abuse. was
not induced to make this recommendation because [
thought those measures n.rect' for no human lesis-
opinions only be reconciIed by yielding something
on all sides and this result has been reached after an
angry conflict OF many months, in which one part of
the country was arrayed against another and violent
CONFUSION seemed 10 be imminent. Locking at the
Interests OF the whole country felt it TO be my du:y
to seize upon this Compromise the best that could
be obtained amid conflicting interes and to insist up
on 1t as final settlement to be adhered to by all who
value the peace and welfare Of the country. a year
has now elapsed since That recommendation was
made. To thai recommendation still adhere, and |
congratulate you and the country upon the general
quiescence in these measures of peace. which has
been exhibited in all parts OF the Republic. And not
only Is there this general acquescence in these
ures but the spirit of Cancellation which has been
infested in regard them in all paris Of the country,
has removed doubts and uncertainties in the minds
OF nds OF good men concArni the durability
OF our popular institutions, and given renewed
that orr LIB rty and our Union NAV subsst to-
gether tor the benefit of this and all succeeding gene
rauons.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON Dscem5e 1851.