The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY %, 1851.



THE SLAVE CASE AT BOSTON.
~. sanate having resumed the consideration of the
,;nn nj Mr. CLAY TO refer the Presidents message 10
- Committee on The Judiciary, that they may ascertain
Sha, further legislation may be necessary to carry out
~ DOWNS said Mr. President, when the Senate ad-
rnad Yesterday stating some facts IN reply 10 the
,s"mept of the Senator from Virginia, Mr. MAsoN,1
which he had asserted thai 'he fugitive Dill OF the last
ssion had not yielded any fruits have little more
sav on that point know that the period OF the
and the business before require the utmost brew
y and therefore | shall conhne my remarks to the
sry shortest possible space IN making the lew observa
IONS which feel il my duiy TO make.
had mentioned yesterday the case OF the fugitive
aves al Harrisburg which instance the law had been
arried into execution immediately, ~ oas csse whcro
= law had produced beneficial results. do not deem
TO aude 10 other Cases. because they have
cen so fully and well stated by the senator from
Kentucky (Mr CLAY and Others who have referred TO
cases which have occurred in Indiana. Ohio, Penn.
Ivlvana and elsewhere, that it would be perfectly
ess for me TO the time OF the Senate by refer
hing to them. 49,
do not understand the from Virginia to deny
hat in these the law was fairly and substantially
Sarried out There is which has been alluded
in the debate OF such peculiar character and
{eedngly interesting, and one which shows clearly
e disposition OF the people o. the North this subject,
"a, feel my duty to advert it briefly is the
1 Long in New York | consider that of the
rongest and best illustrations that could be given OF the
disposition and ability OF the people OF the North 10 carry
Which they bring 10 bear upon the subject. 1t
Vas a question of no ordinary occurrence. II was
nown thai there decided opposition in some quarters
4 the city OF New York, IN ms instance, by those who
we're opposed to this measure, called the fugitive slave
Rw II supposed there would be difficulties thrown
d the way of the recovery OF the fugitive, and every
|esal mpediment thrown in the way; the writ of
Ssbea corpus tIed and there was defect in the ap
Scaon Of the officer, vino was not properly commission
III Every difficulty thrown in the way, both tech
cal and real and all the ability which could be brought
bear upon the brought by the counsel because
was test with regard 10 the efficacy OF The law.
| carried into effect consider, successfully and
kumphantly think there was nothing which occurred
b that that the senator IRON Virginia, or any
>ther southern man, would have required to have been
Otherwise and think il not only requires from OF the
6outh that should EXPRESS appreciation OF it, but
hat should exac applause. For II is no ordinary
occurrence for people VINO have no interest particularly
n this subject. matter in which they have partcu-
er local interest," but only from love OF the Union and
feeling of obligation 10 The constitution and the laws OF
BE country-wbere considerable proportion OF the peo
)e where public opinion, to some extent IS against
is ordinary that of wealth and
Influence devote their time and money and lend their aid
b every way 10 carry out the law. SO far from our
complaining, think they entitled TO the applause and
slude OF the Union. believe it has been OF the
thief instruments in quetng and calming public senti-
ent this subject, and has gone further than almost
my other to convince the people OF the South that there
hued out But for this occurrence the people OF the
Souh might have agreed with the senator from Vrg na
bat this law was imperative.
But; Mr. President the honorable senator from vir-
nia seems to admit that the law is formally carried
Ind while the honorable senator from South Carolina
admit that the law has some efficacy although
be facts in this such that they cannot be
oyered and turned around yet the senator from South
carolina has suggested that although the law has been
arried out. il done from motives OF interest. do
o see how that should detract very much from the
peri, OF the ac itself suppose We formed this gov
rnmen and perform our duties from motives oil interest
Ind suppose that all have interest in the preserva
ION Of the Union and the execution OF the laws; and
houd be sorry to see al any time any portion OF the
ope come TO the conc uson that they had no interest
b this Union. For what did we form this Union but
rom motives OF INTEREST," Ii was formed because our
bleies,s would be promoted by ii. Why did We insist
the last session that the North ought TO execute their
prton OF the obligation IN good faith {! Because they
ere interested in it. know there is sentiment con.
ecied with the feeling that exists favor OF the Union,
Dd in support OF the constitution and the law. honor
much any individual, and appreciate II as highly
ui assert thai this Union based as much on reason
sympathy, aud that il never would have been formed,
nd would not continue Tor month, unless there were
otves OF interest well others for its Preservation
hnk, then, that the suggestion OF the honorable sena.
br from South Carolina lMr. BuTLER,l that the aid
ven BY the people OF New York IN carrying out This
kw Is entitled 10 little credit, and should have little
Telgbt, because they were interested, s wrong.
Mt. President, the honorable senator from Virginia,
md believe the honorable senator from South Carolina
o, advered 10 the fact that 1t is exceedingly difficult 10
recute these laws in the North, il conseq uence OF pub
e opinion. Undoubtedly that has been the great diff
uliy heretofore; undoubtedly that to a great extent,
been the difficulty before the passage OF these laws
Ne know very well that, before the passage of these
avs II was not an isolated occurrence that there was
oslhon TO The laws. but that ii everyday oc-
Futfence indeed the law so imperative that we
oud scarcely look 10 il remedy at all You reco.
eel The case which occurred in Michigan, and the
which man lost his life from Maryland. Tbese diff
enlhes were IN the way then, and without such eff
sn laws as we have now. Public opinion did throw
as
pIessed not only by private individuals but by legs-
suVe assemblies, conventions, and societies There
sHohg feeling against the execution of these laws here
goe' winch made the diihcuiues almost nsuHerabe.
vow, submit TO the senator from Virginia whether the
he state OF things exists did exist them Has there
=, eeen change IN public opinion al the North, and is
y. " tha' ehange going on daily What did we see a,
w uue las' year There were resolutions sent here
gh NeD northern Stale, except one, in favor of the
NHmo' Pfoyso and positive legislation by Congress,
meh would be Objectionable TO the South. Mr. Presi-
eht nave any such resolutions been sent here the
sen' session No, sir, not one. Not only that, but
We o' these States they have reiTaced their steps.
Illinois, understand, they have passed resolutions
pressing lhtlf appreciation OF the compromise meas.
.s' winch, IN some respects are contrary 10 resolu-
~ nhieh they had previously passed. I he convention
,1uaha coming directly from the people, expressing
ceallys any public body could do il, the views OF
psope nave expressed opinions in favor of the
J5e and against opinions which the Legislature had
suopjen THIS has been the in other States.
e S'ae ni Iowa - the only northern State in which
- were no resolutions passed Objectionable to the
Nv oni lhey have passed resolution, and so has
m; sephsn, which, though directly upon this subject
uey sdVettlo IT. and show most liberal spirit, and
he South ~ ' " '' "
LOOK at other States look at Ohio OF all the west.
ra. ''aes es where 1t was supposed that public opinion
eh upsgeS' against the interest OF The South, and
a,. mey appeared to have heretofore done everything
% own way, and what has been The case there re-.
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