The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-27

that the great question, the leading question: al lhs
commencement OF the year 1880
Then there the other, and that matter of m.
fug e-save law. Let me say word about ths,
Under the provisions OF the constitution IN General Wash
nEtons administration IN the year l793 there passed
law for the restoration Of fugitive slaves BY general
consent No one opposed il II that period Ii wa
thought to be necessary TO carry the constitution into FL
feet The great men OF New England and New York
all concored init passed. and answered all the pur.
poses expected from IT, ill about the year S4 or lssa
when the States ineriercd to make enaclmen,s in Oppose
ton to it. The law OF Congress said that State magis
uales might execute the duties OF the law Some Of The
States passed penal enactmenis involving penalty ON
any who executed authority under the law Others al
them denied the OF their jas TO carry the law into
effect; and generally, al the commencement OF the year
1850, It absolutely say II was acknowledgements.
pensabe that Congress should pass some law for the ex
ecation OF this provision OF the constitution. else give
up that institution entirely That was the question
proper law had. indeed proposed different law
OF opinion that summary trial by jury might be
had which would satisfy the preudices Of the people
hut le, the Senate and went to another station beor.
the law was passed. The law Of 1850 passed Now,
undertake lawyer, and on my professional character
say you and TO all that the law of 1850 is decidedly
favorable to the fugitive than General Washington
law Of 1893 and tell you why In the first place, the
present law places The power in much higher handsof
independent judges OF the superior and circuit courts and
district courts, and commissioners who are appointed 10
Office for their law learning. Every fugitive is brought
before tribunal OF high Character Of eminent ability
OF respectable station Well then, in the first lace
when claiman, comes from Virginia to New York 10
say that or one has run away. is fugitive
from service labor, he brings with him record Of
the county from which he comes, and that record must
be sworn 70 before magistrate, and certified by the
county clerk as to its correctness. The affidavit must
state that or las the case may beg had departed
under such and such circumstances and had here
and that record under seal is, BY the constitution OF the
United States, entitled TO full credit in every other State
Well the claimant, or his agent, comes here, and be
presents TO you the seal OF the OF Virginia. that
had escaped from service He must prove that he'll
L. Lc.. alra q a.
he proves it, Or in ten cases out OF eleven the answer
would be, Yes, massa, am your slave; / did escape
from your service" Such is the present law; and 50
much opposed and malgned il TO- il 10 more favor.
able law to the fugitive than the law Of Washingon's,
OF l7a3. which created no disturbance at the time il
was passed and which Was sanctioned BY the North
modern s From A whom soss this eno
Gomez Why, look at the proceedings of the an-sla.
very conyenton-look at their resolutions Do you find
law any admission whatever that any law ought to BE-
passed to carry into effect the solemn stipuatons Of
the constitutions Tell me any such case. Tell me i
cuse ayoring the carrying out Of the constitution Not
one! The fact is, gentlemen, they oppose the whole
they oppose the whoie-not man of them admits that
there ought to be any lay on me subject They deny
10 be carried into effect WE'LL what do they say Look
at the proceedings Of the anti slavery conventions in
Ohio Massachusetts, and at Syracuse, in the State Of
New York What do they say That. so help them God,
colored man shall be sent from the State OF New
York back to his master in Virginia Don't they say that,
Aad for the iument OF that they pledge their lives, their
pledged their sacred honor to violate the laws Of their
country They pledged their sacred honor 10 resist their
execution They pledged their sacred honor 70 commit
them and help them who pledge their sacred honor
in such a cause! [Applause] | have already stated
gentlemen, what your observation OF this must have
been. will only to it for moment Tor the pur
pose Of persuadng you, public and private
good and patriotic men-that you ought 10 The
extent of your ability and influence TO il that such
and the South and the West. and ali The country
together, far as is just and right, and far as
the constitution demands say, that what is demanded
OF us is to be up TO our constitutional duties-o do for
the South what the South have right TO demand.
Gentlemen, have been some time before the public |
My character is kno~n-my lie is before the country
profess to love liberty as much as any man living but
profess TO love American lberty-that liberty which
secured to the country by the constitution under which
we live, and have great opinion OF that liberty which
goes over the restraints OF law or OF the constitution
hold the constitution OF the United States to be the bu
wark, the only bulwark, OF our liberties and Ona
chart don't that you should become slaves unde
the constitution. That is not American liberty thai
not the liberty Of the Union Tor which iahsn
iought--that liberty which has given US right 10
known and respected all over the world. Gentlemen
me say to you that, Is much as admire the character
the people of western New York-as much as | wish
hereafter in any cennexion with public lie, lie, me tel
you now that you must not expect from the sllghrs
varatiOn even OF mars BREADTH from the CONSTITUTION
OF the United States. (Cries of "Good good good Y
| am northern man was born al the North-edueale.
at the North-have lived all my days at the North.
know tive hundred northern men 10 one southern MAJ
My sympathies-a my sympathies-my love of libep
Tor all mank ind OF every color-aTe the same yoan
My affections and hopes in that respect exactly h
yours | wish to see all men free-all men happy
have associations out OF the northern States Nj
people your people And yet am told somrdne
that am not liberty man because am moi free sn
man. tLaughierl What am |, what was | eva
hat hall hn Aftar L Ia,
glowed in my breast since my infancy, and which hop
will never leave me till expire' (Applause Cent?
men, regret extremely that slavery exists the souhr
States. and that Congress has not power TO act upon
But may be in the dlspensation OF Providence
edy may be found for it, But in the mean time hold
never expect from me, under any circumstances thai
shall alter from it-hat shall be otherwise than fraa
and decisive | would not part with my character a.
man of frmness and decision, and honor and prinep,
for all that the world holds. You will find me lru,s
the North, because all my sympathes with @
North. My affections, my children. my hopes, my eve
rything is with the North. But when stand up b
Tore my country As one appointed TO administer ~
cons ubon OF the country. BY the blessing OF God
wall be just. lGreat applause Gentlemen, enpse
be lbelled and abused-yes, lbeled and abused %
II don't disturb me have not lost nights sleep fc
great many years. | have talent for sleepR
ttangh'erl And why should we not expect 10 De
belled Is not the constitution of the United States
belled and abused Don't some people call The PODS
ton OF hell Is not Washington libelled and abused
negro' Are not our fathers beed and abused BY lht
own children and nngraeiul children they are ana
am afraid, IN some cases, their mothers played aS
lLanghter.1 How, then, shall escape Joniespe
TO escape, but, knowing these things, npute no
motive to any one. The great settlement measures
I'm Last I'm lo~~- ~. uprf