The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-21


failed by the vote OF southern senators. And [
would ask OF the Senate and of the from Mich
gan and mississippi, with what propriety with what
]lsuee or reasonconending aswe always had contend
ed hat II that committee raised the whole subject
should go 70 it--contending we had more especially
done that the question Of the admission of California
should go to itcould have asked that this measure
Tor the reclamation OF fugitive slaves should be alone
cuded' would have destroyed the whole plan OF ope-
faton' which, whether right wrong, that the
whole subject before the Senate affecting the institution
OF slavery in any manner shoad be committed to that
committee
Mr.; FooTE, of Mississippi viii the honorable sen.
ator allow me TO make one remark ! wish simply to
state tina, when brought these facts the attention Of
the Senate, upon which the senator from Virginia has
commented, my object only to correct impression
that feared might be made by certain remarks OF the
honorable senator from South Carolina, Mr. BUTLER,
IN reference to the position in which he intimated al
least suspected certain honorable senators TO be- in refer
ence 10 the enactment OF any law upon this subject II
will be recoecled that be complained, in special and
emphatic that there had been very decided
| lnclance shown by senators from the North to doing
the South justice upon this subjects and that upon the
sPu 81 as moment and certainly without 'hs least de-
gentlemen BY statement Of the facts which have been
ferred TO BY the honorable senator from Virginia My
obvious purposes and with the view of quietng feeling
that already. thought had been much marked with
extreme excitement upon this subject that the senators
from the Norhof course aude chiefly my political
friends in this body-had manifested disposition 10 do
full justice to the South upon this subject stated the
tors. who recollected distinctly authorized me to have
the interviews alluded to early in the session. in regard
to this question of slavery Insver said anything the
stand the position Of the honorable senator from Vir-
gnia or the honorable senator from South Carolina in
reference 70 this measure have always taken it that
every member of this body from the southern States
have felt the necessity of legislation upon this
subject more efficient than that formerly adopted.
Mr from son as Bannss
take Of history, to have this matter correctly
ord and to vndicae as far as may be necessary myself
and those with whom acted from any charge that
to this fugitive slave law Ii is thus thai the motion
of the senator from Mississippi designed to take the
matter OF this bill, together with its kindred subjects.
from the Senate, and 10 carry them to committee-a
policy in which fully concurred and which ulti
matey effected. One great and controlling purpose was,
when that committee was raised, to except nothing from
| it, but let the whole subject go TO it.
Thus it was, appehend. that the honorable senator
posed 10 take up the fugiiivesave bill and act upon it
separately was he stated al the tme induced to do
because his hopes Of raising the special committee had
fore, and declared his belief that special committee
could be aised or, if raised. would result in no good
take it for granted that the senator from Mississippi
tee and eventually carried the measure. Whilst the mo-
on to refer before the Senate, we thought our orig
nal line OF policy was the safest. and that the whole
should be referred together.
Now what particular views or opinions gentlemen
held, by what motives they governed either sepa-
raely or collectively, can after SO long time answer
nothing The record shows that we desired 10 except
nothing from the deliberations Of the committee.
OF the particular conversation referred 10 by the sena.
n have mo de s0IS Sat
heretofore alluded 10 by the senator from Indiana MI
WMrcoMs But what my answer TO him was 90 not
because we deemed it injudicous and nexpedien, to
pre-. the bill at that time should hold so still !
conversation that would be mpollc in southern sena
tors do it, lest among other reasons they should weak
their position upon other vital questions affecting the
institution OF slavery, then before the Senate The SEN
a,o from Mississippi that the reasons assigned for
declining change OF policy lest by so doing we
might lind il impossible thereafter TO rouse the border
States 10 energetic action IN cooperation with the other
southern States for the vndlcanon OF their essential
rights" This may very probably have governed us TO
some extent in desire TO keep the subject together
should have deemed myself wanting in my proper duty
as representative OF OF the southern States |
had done anything which hight tend to weaken the posi-
ton which The southern States then held trust have
thus shown the Senate and TO the country that so far
depended upon those TO whom the fugve-slave law
was more particularly committed we were not only not
wanting in duty but we did that which we deemed
best for the occasion, and from which certainly mis-
chief has resulted, for the law ultimately passed IN
stringent form without any very serious or decided
Mr. FOOTE OF Mississippi. II has ever afforded me
the highest satisfaction on all occasions, when the mat
ter has been discussed state that believe the whole
body Of southern senator's had been perfectly faithful 10
the South on that subject. and that the honorable sena
tor from Virginia MIR. MAsoEl and the honorable sena-
tor from South Carolina MIR. euTLERl acted not only
4
with great energy, Judgment and skill That has been
my opinion, and have always expressed II. would
have undertaken 10 intimate the fact which have
stated that northern senators urged through me, earlier
action this subject Than took place. but Tor the iact
that certain remarks which fell from the lips OF the sen
ato from South Carolina, Mr. BUTLER, II unreped TO,
might leave the impression that northern senators gener-
ally had manifested most decided opposition 10 early
egsaiion on this important subject | rose simply for
the of stating the facts OF the with the view
of vndicatng the truth OF history which had not
been previously revealed My object not TO impli-
cate the from South Carolina the senator from
Virginia. but simply to enable us TO have better under.
standing among ourselves, and 10 let my constituents and
the OF the South generally understand that there
strong and earnest desire the part OF Influential
northern members OF this body to accord TO the South all
that the South could claim this point That was my
sole object.
! Mr. MASON. Ihaye finished what bad to say on
this point but do not wish 10 take my seat without say
ing few words upon the resolution before the Sen
ate. What shall say must be brie from reluctance 10
leain the Senate well from my present condiion,
for am unfortunately hoarse that can scarcely speak
at all.
i The resolution which is now beforc the Senate is OF a
character which does not in any FORM address ltse TO
my appreciation reason for II, and no ocoa-
sion Tor it, As understand it, il declares that, IN the
opinion OF this body the measures cited should be con-
sdered terminating all questions arising out OF the
institution of slavery Now, am not aware that there
any State in this UAion except the State OF South Car
olina, which continues to protest against them ! am
not aware of one of the southern States except the State
OF South Carolina, which has not declared, in The mos,
emphatic manner, TO the majority in this government II
| you will stop there and execute in good aith the law
Tor the reclamation of fugitive slaves, we Will acquesce
in what has been done That being the condition OF the
county, propety-ln further IN,
reference with the subject by the Congress Of the United
IL AIvAa fhA Las n