Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-01
Letter of Hon. j. L. Robinson.

GENTLEMEN
The letter which you did the honor write, da-
ted the 29th., ult. and post marked the 9TH, nst
behalf OF public meeting held at Moore's Hill the
10th ult., only received on yesterday. The
luton you quote, and TO which you invite my attention
and ask an explicit answer is in the following words
''ReSolred, That committee be appointed
pond with the various candidates for Congress in this
District and request of each explicit definition OF
his position in regard to the Fugitive slave law, and
whether be will for its repeal notification and
if the latter, what modification, provided he is elected
to Congress, and further, whether he will such
repeal or modification if others should not"
1t depends upon the action of the Democratic Con-
gressional convention for this District which will meet
at Napoleon the ID day of May next, whether L
shall be candidate for seat in the next Congress or
not, but let that result tmay, hasten respond
your inquiries.
As at present advised nv conviction is very strong
that should if elected neither for the repeal OF
the law alluded TO, for its modification. Nothing,
sure, could change my conyictloI this subject
short of the development oil injustice and wrong growing
out of its actual operation foreseen, and which
have no reason to apprehend unequlvocal and
unmistakeable manifestation OF the will OF majority
of my constituents against it, which think alike i'm
probable You may, therefore consider me .sexplic
ityp committed against the repeal modification Of
said law. For all the purposes designed by your
quiries might stop here but beg your indulgence
allow 10 accompany my answer with some reasons
upon which it is founded, and some explanation of my
general views and of action upon this whole sa
very question.
1t is doubtless known you it is to all my late
constituents who have taken any interest in this matter
that voted its passage against the law in question:
and as some persons may not readily perceive how
man may with proprety and consistency vote against
the passage of law. and subsequently against its
peal propose to briefly explain this point. The en-
ectment of law, in majority of cases, imposes
obligations and creates rights which it would be faith
less and base on the part of subsequent legislatures to
disregard annhlate do not affirm that this is true
the Fugitive slave law, but many do think
Whole States the South with singular unanimly have
solemny declared, and though differ with them
this point yet seeing nothing in the law objecona-
bic justify the hazard of reopening this exciting
question: and rekindng the fires of sectional animos
ties which now, think, gradually and happily dy
ing away, decidedly OF the opinion that is best
to let it alone. voted against its passage, in part, for
repeal wit prevent the unnecessary and danger
Gus excitement and commoton it would produce. Its
passage, predicted is seized upon by persons
in places in the Free States subject of much
agitation, excitement dsturbanceits repeal now,
however considering the circumstances surrounding its
passage and the view taken of it in the slave States
would be of still greater excitement and distur
bance and far more dangerous in its consequences
However inefecacious it may be in reclaiming their
slaves with them its existence regarded involving
great principle which they viii not readily surrender
In legislation OF this character in fact any character
it is be expected that every member Of Congress-
every section of the county should be able to shape
laws precisely as they may want them. Nearly the en-
tire time of the first session of the last Congress- last
ing ten months devoted to the angry, violent and
disactsg discussion Of questions Of which slavery was
the chief and controlling element Finally series of
measures enacted, six in number. and which
braced all, and some thought more than all (mysef
among the number) having any connexion with that
subject, upon which, it absolutely necessary for
Congress at that time to act.
These measures were lst A provision for the am-
cable xation of boundary the State of Texas
and New Mexico 2d, The organization Of Territor-
al Government for New Mexico Ohcse two measures
were united in bl' y 3d. The like provision for
Utah 4th The admission Of California State into
the Union; 5th., The abolition Of the slave trade in
the District Of Columbia and 9Th The Fugitive slave