Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-10-23

horc arurhl ana Enthusiastic lricnus IN
one party, and more courtesy and res
pect IN the other. than in The CONNER
cial metropolis of the Union. Whilst |
am constrained, with nuch regret, res
pecliully to decline the meeting you pro-
pose, avail myself OF the occasion TO
present some views which have taken
oi public affairs, and which trust may
be received as Il substitute for an oral
exhibition of them, which | could make
before large conrourse OF my fellow
citizens in New York.
1t was not supposed by thc authors
and supporters Of the compromise, in the
last Congress, ,hai the adoption OF The
series OF measures which composed il,
would secure the unanimous concur
renee Of all. Their reasonable hopes
were confined 10 the great majority OF
the people Of the United States, and
their hopes have not been disappointed.
Everywhere, North, South. East and
Wes', an immense majority Of the peO-
pie are satisfied with. or acquiesce in
the compromise. This may be conf
DENLY asserted in regard to thirteen OF
the slavcholding states, and TO thirteen,
II not fourteen Of the free states. In a
few oi both classes Of the states, and in
some particular localities dissatisfaction
exists, exhibiting Itself occasionally in
words OF great violence and intempcr-
ance bat this feeling il, trust, where
il has most prevailed, gradually yield
ing To an enlightened sense OF public
du'y. will present II rapid survey of
the actual state OF things, IA il appears
10 me both at the North and the South,
beginning at the former.
In all that region, there is but one OF
the various compromise measures that
is scriously y assaied, and that is the law,
made IN st"lct conformity with the con.
stitution, for the sure nd,r Of iugitives
iron, lawful service or labor. But the
law itself, with two exceptions, has been
everywhere enforced opposition TO il
is constantly abating, and the patriotic
obligations Of obey ing the constitution
ana the laws, made directly or Indirect
ly by the people themselves, is now al
most universally recognized and admit
ted. IT, in the execution o. the law, by
the publ; authority. popular discontc mt
is sometimes manifested il has, with the
exceptions m ntioncd, been invariably
rrprcssed, or prevented from obstruc-
ting the officers Of justice III the rer-
iormance ol their duties. II | am cor
rectly informed. great and salutary
change has been made, and is yet in
progress. at the North, which authorizes
til" confident anticipation tina; reason
aud law Gill finally achieve noble tri-
umph.
The necessity OF maintaining and en-.
forcing that law. unrepealed, and with
out any mobilization that would ser-
ously impair its efficiency, must be adj
mitred by the impartial judgment Of all
candid men. Many OF the slavchold-
ing states, and many public meetings of
the people in them, have deliberately
declared that their adherence TO the Un-
ion depended upon the preservation of
that law, and that irs abandonment
would be the signal Of the dissolution #
the Union. know that the abolition
lists (SOme Of whom openly avow a de-
sire To produce that ca,amitous evenD
and their pariizans deny and derlde the
existence OF any such danger but men
who will not perceive aud own il, must
he blind to the signs Of the times TO the
sectional strife which has rnhappily ari.
sen. to the em5il cred feelings which
have been excited as well us The sol
e;nD resolutions Of delibcrative assem-
bles, unanimously adopted. Their dis.
regard Of the danger, am apprehensive
proceeds more fran their desire to con-
tinue agitation, which augmcnts it, than
from their love of the Union itself.
You refer, gentlemen, to resolutions
aad addresses adopte at conventions
lately assembled around Us, in which we
have seen with regret as well as alarm,
that the question of adherence to the
compromise is avoided or evaded," and
you justly deprccate the tendency Of
these resolutions. | have not been an
inattenive or Indifferent observer OF
them, and with you deeply regret their
adoption. ! wish that these respectable
bodies could have been less ambiguous
and more explicit, in declaring their de-
termination 10 arqniesce in, and abide
10y. great measure Of peace and com
promise, which forming an epoch in the
progress of our country, was intended
10 reconcile and restore concord and fra
ternal feelings among our divided Coun-
trymen. II more were intended than
meets the eye, more than to proclaim The
theore.c right Of discussion, if it were
designed 10 announce the right of unre-
mittcd agitation, 10 continue the dis
fractions Of the country, and, finally, If
possible, 10 repeal the fugitive slave
law, patriotism and harmony must con-
dcmn the unwise course, as iraught
with the most mischievous and periluus
consequences.
But we must make some allowances
for human iraiIty and inordinate pride
of opinion. Many persons at the North
had avowed an invincible hostility to
the fugitive law; and even declared
their intention iorciby to obstruct its rx
eculion. and had appealed to IA higher
law, which. as they contcndcd, was par
amount to all human Legislation. These
untenable positions were wholly ire
concildble with patriotism, or even with
the existence OF regular government it,
self. Obeying the dictates, it is to be
hoped, Of wiser and purer and more So
cal cOunscls. the arties who, under the
impulses OF passion and ianatacis u. had
assumed. have now abandoned them
and acknowledged their uuques ionable
duty to submit To the law, until il is mod
flied or repealed by competent authori
ty. In descending from The high and
periIous ground, which they could not
safely occupy. to that OF concedinI The
obligation of submission TO the law. we
discern, hope, a just homage to the
dictates Of civilization, and 10 the duties
OF established government
lfthry have coupled "ilh this proper