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


MIR. TURNEY. | am one of those who ad-
vocated the passage Of the Fugltlvesave bill, not
because 1 believed il would be productive of much
good TO the Southern section of the Union, but
fhat il carrying out provision Of the Con-
stitution. But, as | remarked at the time, did
not believe il would be productive of much good ,
because | did not believe it would be executed in
good faith. But, while made the broad declara-
ton of opinion which yet entertain, l must
confess that did not expect to see the law met
and put down by mobs in open day, as has been
done. had seen from the Northern papers that
clubs and societies had been formed there for the
purpose of defeating the execution Of the law in
manner according to the view had first taken;
that these clubs and societies existed not only in
the cities, but in every district Of country, and
that they were in the habit of watching strangers
who entered the country, to ascertain the object
of their VISIT In order to find out the object of
their business, or whether they have come to
rest fugitive slave not, they will contrive to
have some one OF the club lodge in the same room,
If possible, and certainly at the same hotel, and
they will travel in the same car, SO that nothing
can be done by any such stranger which is not
known. All his movements watched and if
they find he is in pursuit Of a slave they will find
where the slave is, if possible, and give notice to
him and assist him in making his escape. In this
manner supposed the objects of the law would
be defeated entirely; but did not suppose that in
any civilized community force would be resorted
to for the purpose of defeating the execution Of the
law. Hence we can easily account for the fact
that, while there are some fifteen thousand of these
fugtives in the free States, only some four five
slaves have been recaptured under the provisions
Of this law. They must be caught before they
can be tried, and before they can be released by
mob. But under this discipline and management
in the Northern States, they can be caught very
rarely indeed
Now, sir this speaks the state Of public sentiment
mt the North in regard to faithful and honest exc
cution of this law. We all know that to raise
mob and rescue negro when he has been arrested
is very high-handed and awless act That was
not to be expected, and presume no man in the
South anticipated any such thing. Their fears
were not that force would be resorted to in order
to defeat the execution of the law. But knowing
that many believed the law to be violation Of the
Constitution, and in violation of the "higher
law" and that they would give every facility they
could for slaves to escape by watching the move
ments of every man who should come among
them for the purpose of securing his slave, and by
notifying the slave in time to allow him to make
his escape, they felt convinced that the law would
be Of very little value. We hear Northern sena-
tors admitting that the public sentiment in the
North is opposed TO the law. 1t is opposed to the
law In Massachusetts,, and perhaps in other
States. And yet we have an argument from
Southern gentlemen to show that the law will be
executed there in good faith
Now, am one Of those who did not believe it
would be faithfully executed; but must say
was greatly surprised at the outrageous acts in the
city of Boston. did not anticipate that mode Of
resisting the law and, although knew the anti
slavery feeling had reached high pitch in that
section of the country, did not expect that it
would be manifested in that manner. | knew OF
an instance in which a Tennessean went to Michi-
gan in pursuit Of his slave, and the slave was no.
tilted In time, SO that he could be aided in getting
over into Canada. The execution of the law was
do al hub v.otx L,.f
resort to arms-but it was defeated in that way
in which, In my judgment, it will be defeated in
ninety nine cases out of q hundred, where an at
tempt Is made to arrest fugitive. When THU
measure passed We were to have concord; all dis
turbances were to be at an end, and brotherly low
was to be restored between the North and tn
South; there was to be cause for dissenson, n,
cause of bad feeling; all was to be buried in wha
were termed the compromise bs--which, b,
the way, were not compromise bills. How mani
Southern men voted for the bill to abolish tn
slave trade in this District How many Southeu
men voted for the admission of California an,
how many Northern men voted for the Fugitiv
slave law' To make compromise there mus
be two parties. If this be a compromise boil
parties have acted in bad faith and have showr
themselves unworthy.
The compromise measure called the omnibu.
was defeated, tumbled to pieces, and broke down
Afterwards another system of measures was
passed, which may be properly called force bills
for they were forced through by the majority
against the will Of the minority. These force
bills were to restore peace, harmony, and concord
to this nation; all the bleeding wounds were to bt
healed, and we were to have the finest state o
feeling that had existed since the establishment
our government. At the commencement Of th
present session we had them announced believe
in the message Of the President and they wer
termed measures of peace. Peace was said to b,
the result and harmony and concord. All bite
feeling were al an end, and brothery love pre-
vailed at the North and South II was repeated
on the floor Of the Senate, and on the belief tina
was accomplished, and tbs great object effected
We see from the newspapers thai great Datona
Union party was formed, upon which the UDior
was, az matter Of course, TO be preserved to the
end OF tme, with pledge founded upon tbs same
measures which had restored this peace and har
mony to distracted people-wth sacred pledge
that no one of these measures was ever TO be
touched, bat they were to remain inviolate except
when the majority Of those who had pledged
themselves assented to it. Sir, they even bid de-
hsnce TO the instructions of their constituents;
their instructions could not reach those gentlemen
who had signed this pledge. They must adhere
to the pledge and to the support of these measures
for the sake of the Union.
Now we are told that further legislation is re-
quired-that more is necessary TO give effect and
potency to these measures Of peace, and harmony.
and concord. We have but one week Of the ses-
ssoo tcis- huu as CeTtdln as n measure shall be
brought forward to enable the President better TO
execute the law. we shall have proposition after
proposition introduced here for discussion For
IT so happens thai oil the members of this BODY
did not sign this pledge. and all did not concur in
these peace measures, because they did not be-
lieve in their efficacy az a means of producing
concord. harmony and peace. There were oppo-
nents to these measures who were not admitted to
JOIN IN this great national Union party, and there
are among tirese outsiders those who are most VIZ
olenty opposed to then Fugitive slave law. | do
not belong to that class; belong to the class who
VIII sustain II so far can, and will oppose any
repeal or modification Of il. But there are those
who advocate total repeal: while others adyo-
cate modification Of it by giving the right Of
trial by jury. and they would perhaps throw ey
cry impediment and embarrassment in the WY o.
The execution Of the law, no as to render il deat
letter on the statute book. Sir, this will open ,
general debate; for believe the rules of the Sena,
permit any member TO offer amendments to tn
bill, il they are germane TO the subject under con
Alteration. This general debate then, will b.
opened while we have but one week Of the sessio,
remaining. And what is the condition of the bu
siness To be acted upon' Strange to tell, not on
n(f he rof rfspf L.