The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-20
From the Memphis .Appeal.

sAGE-The late proclamation and message of
President Fillmore are the most extraordinary
documents that ever emanated from President
of the United States. The appearance of the
former, Immediately after second successful at
tempt to reclaim fugitive slave under the great
pacific measures, was unanimously hailed by the
Fillmore and submission press of the South,
with demonstrations of enthusiasm, rs if, sat
one fell swoop," it demolished the whole Adolf
ton party of the North, etlectualIy crushed all
resistance to the execution of the Fugitive slave
law, and saved the Union. Yet what is it? It
is an empty mockcry--as powerless as the paper
on which it was written 1t in terms admits a
second "fagitious" violation of law in the cradle
Of liberty" contains the oft repeated and never
fulfilled declaration Of the Preside mt to see that
the Fugitive slave law shall be faithfully execu-
ted and a reminder to all "welI-dsposed citizens"
and to the officers of the United States to dis.
charge their sporn duty, Bruum fil,nen -
Yet for this array of high sounding words he is
proclaimed by Southern men moral hero-a
second Curtius, eaping into the gulf of patriot
ism for the good of Rome. Has it come to
this, that the men of the South will, for string
of words, sell their constitutional rights? What
efficacy, we repeat has this proclamation p
Does any man, not absolutely idiotic, suppose
Boston is of any binding legal force, or that it
will be needed? Does its reminder to officers
to discharge their duty add whit to the strength
of their sworn obligations Is il not rather al,
admission that both citizens and officers have
been most grossly remiss And does it not
force the inference that the latter should be in
stanty dismissed
But TO the message. 1t is but "ame and
important conclusion" to the wretched farce be-
gun with the proclamation. 1t is a miserable
attempt to keep himself ina position, TO use his
own Words of "hrmness moderation and prli.
dence," containing glazing Inconsistencies and
evasions. IL asserts that cit (the rescue) vio
lates, without question, the general sentiment
of the people of Boston, and of vast majority
of the whole people of Massachusetts" Yet
this same model message Of the model Presi-
dent--the choice of the Enquirer for the next
term--quotes LAW Of Massachusetts inhct-
ing heavy penalties upon any Judge, justice,
sheriff. jailor or other officer who shall in any
way assist the officers of the United States in
executing the Fugitive slave law Does this
sustain the statement Of the President in regard
to the general sentiment Of vast majority of
the people of Massachusetts" or does it give il
a fiat contradiction? In fact, the President him
self states that the Massachusetts law was in
tended to make it penal for all officers and ma
gistrates of the commonwealth to execute the
powers conferred upon them by act of Congress
for the reclamation of fugitive slaves and Sc
cond, 'to refuse the use of jails for the deten-
ton Of any persons claimed as fugitive slaves ~
Was ever such inconsistency 1t out Muncbau-
sens Munchausen.
The President states too that the rescue was
" mol attended By some degree Of negligence"
u l. 81 = Al n
State jails is refused, the marshal is required by
law to hire Temporary Jail and that this the
marshal utterly neglected 10 do. Yet what does
he say Of this? Truly now all excaim he has
no doubt removed that hasely delinquent officer
without moments hesitation, as we believe
was predicted by the Eagle. He is the model
President. He will "see that the laws be faith
fully executed" lie is a "irm, moderate and
prudent man" He will give us better officer
Such is the cry of all submissiondom. Well,
what does "the man for the crisis" do! What
does he say "If it shall appear that no such
place Ga temporary jaiD has been obtained, d.
rections 10 The marshal wiH be giren 10 loose no
time in The discharge Of This duy!" Awful ret
ributionl Unfortnnate i'll fatcd marshal -
How again can you walk erect apong your fel-
low-men, under the terrible punishment Of "di-
rcctions 10 do your dutyP Long live the model
President He shall have monument more
endurabe than brass, At least il shall be more
enduring than tho hrass that will be required of
the Eagle and Enquirer, to pass off the procla-
nation and message as worthy Of a "man for tho
crisis" We wait TO see whit the Fillmore and
submission, sefstyled men Of The South have to
say of these documents; whether they will SER
vilely kiss the rod that smtes them or give vent
to just and manly indignation for the wrongs Of
the South.