The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-03

his letters when candidate for the vice presden-
cy, and then tell me whether he has any great de-
sire or Willingness TO see this Fugitive slave law
faithfully executed. | admit that a higher duty
is now imposed upon him; that he is bound by
the obligation of an oath; but have seen nothing
that he has done TO execute this law. We are
told that this 10 the second which has occurr-
ed IN the city Of Boston. That is true. And why
was not an order given in the first instance for the
enforcement of the law Why was not some step
taken then Why not the marshal removed
who failed to discharge his duty Why not
some action taken on the part OF the Executive
demonstrating that he was resolved upon execut-
ing the law and discharging his duty Sir, he
made no move IN the matter Not word was
said--Dot an order made TO anybody. Not thing
was done until after the second outrage per-
petrated, and the negro safely landed in Can
ada. Not I'LL then does the President issue his
proclamation. That looks to me good deal like
locking the stabe-door after the horse 10 stolen.
And will tfis proclamation. or Thousand such
proclamations, restore to his owner his properly
Sir, he was apprzed that it would be difficult to
execute the law in Boston. He was apprzed of
this and yet no step taken. But now comes
the proclamaton and fear that that proclamation
is merely for the purpose of lulling the South, and
quieting the people until those slaves have run
away, and residing in the free States
shall become exhausted from the expenditure to
which they will be subjected, and the hazard of
life which they shall run, in attempting to reclaim
them. Afler they become exhausted and worn
out in the effort, there will be no further endeavor
to execute the law, and there will be no further
resistance to it.
This will be the effect of all this. The Presi
dent issues his proclamation; and what benefit re-
suits from that proclamation, pray The senator
! from New Hampshire says it il a very ridiculous
proclamation. do not say that; but i'll held the
opinions which have been advanced here this
morning, should be prepared to agree with the
| spp0tOr fropn Naw Ham al nd m
very frivolous and contemplate state Of things
| upon which to issue proclamation.
| We are told that these mobs and riots are COM
mon throughout the country, and should produce
no great degree of excitement. We told that
they happen in every section of the Union. If
that be so, then the senator from New Hampshire
would be correct. 1t would be contemplate
and ridiculous thing. Buff it was a case of great
emergency; If the proclamation issued, as
commended by the senator from North Carolina
| Mr.. BADGERl on yesterday, and as thought
correctly and conclusively, because of the state of
public opinion IN Massachusetts as evidenced by
her esislation-legisation which has remained
upon her tatutebook, and for number of years
acquiesced in; and If we are to look to that an
indication that the public sentiment is averse to
the provisions of this law, and that may there
fore have right to look out for resistance in that
State, then the President of the United States
would justified, for it looks then to instruction.
But ifthere be nothing in the argument of the SEN
ator from North Carolina, and the great mass of
the people of Massachusetts are to be presumed
to be sound upon this subject and resolved in good
faith to carry out the provisions of this law, then
\ would say the proclamation itself would be ut
terly contemplate. But think the senator from
North Carolina was correct.
i Well, Mr.. President, | am wng-though |
am not bound to adhere to these measures, neither
by any vote or anything else-to vote for the ex-
ecution of this law. But believe that to be inn
L. L. N Al
say by this that wherever slave has escaped and
is recaptured there will be mob to release him
mean to say no such thing But mean to say
that in nearly all Of the free States you will find
these clubs formed for the purpose Of watching
the movements OF every stranger that comes into
the country, in order to learn his business and
give Information to the slave, In case the stranger
is suspected Of being his owner, and afford him
, facilities Of vending his way with the utmost
speed into Canada, and thereby defeat the execu
, ton OF the law.
But the senator from Louisiana Mr.. Downs
g says there is great Improvement in the public
J., sentiment of the North--a great change. Well,
e believe there has been considerable change, an,
. especially in New York will take the yer,
O State which be selects as an example. What ha
II been the, II % therei A change from Free
v soilism to the sher-law creed. Why, during tn
" last presidenuA canvass, we heard of the grea
e Buffalo convention. That convention was held
a and they brought forth their candidate. Free
d soilism was then the great prevailing doctrine il
e that State. But now how do matters stand there
Il We are told that the Wing party have failed Il
h elect senator of the United States Who are tn
candidates for that placer Have you heard Of any
man being nominated by the Wing party in New
York who is the advocate OF this law, who ha.
ever advocated its faithful execution in the FIRE.
$ States' Have the supporters of that law any
friends in the legislature II they have, hav,
' searched the papers in vain to ascertain the fact
al
d Mr.. DOWNS, (interposing.) Will the senator
allow me to ask him whether there were not reso
f lutons offered in the New York legislature, ap
# proving in general terms Il do not pretend to Civ,
e the precise character Of them) the compromis,
). measures Of last session; and whether they were
e not disposed of by laying them on the table by
2 very small majority of some five or six votes
r Mr.. TURNEY. That is piece of information
: which think have seen, but which had escaped
my recollection. But, at all events it is certninl,
II poor evidence favor of the argument Of the sen
ator from Louisiana. Resolutions approving il
Il general terms of the compromise measures, th
n gentleman says, were laid upon the table by
very small majority--thus giving them the go-by
e and perhaps we shall hear, byand by, of some
thing offered in that State legislature in favor o
the higher law" which will not be laid upor
the table.
I But will proceed with the subject of the cleo
ton of a United States eenator in New York. TIL,
wing canaluhte IN not erected. Inc CnnQluGts Wnt
advocates the higher-law doctrine has been de
feated in his election by the patriotism Of certain
members of the New York legislature. Such il
! the fact, that Mr.. Fish was defeated; bu, permi
me to inquire by how many votes he was defeated
BY the law of thai State they do not meet in con
vention and elect senator Of the United States b,
, joint ballot but they vote in their respeciiy
houses. and no man be elected until he ha
received the concurrent vote of maiority of boil
boases. Now. 1 understand that Mr.. Fish ha
received more than majority of the two houses
1t would have been large majority IL the election
had taken place in convention of the two houses
But the election goes into the State senate, when
there is difference Of opinion. There were thu
friends of Mr.. Dix, once member Of this body
and the friends of Mr.. Fish. and one vote only
defeats the election of Mr.. Fish. That is harpes
upon az evidence conclusive of great change IL
the State Of New York. Indeed, think it is
great change--from free soilism, of which Mr.
} Dix wss an advocate, To the higher-law creed.
Mr. SEWARD, Gnterposng) Will the sen
ator from Tennessee ALLOW NE TO furnish hin
9 with correct statement concerning the manner