The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-26

How is tln the State of Pennsy lyania where there
mas oeen much public feeling against laws for the
lure ol iugiuve slaves-where there have been laws
passed against their recaptue, and where the author of
me Wilmot Provlso resides What have they done !
men one as a member OF this Senate. who in all his
long career IN the Congress of the United aes in the
olhef house. has stood prominent gentleman hold
ing correct principles the slave question: and such as
no southern could object TO- And now there is
pending IN the legislature there resolution expressing
appreciation OF me compromise measures OF the last
SION And they have proposition, believe, to repeal
her laws against the recapure Of fugitive slaves, show
ing clearly their appreciation of the pursued by
Congress at the last session and there is strong prob
Come 10 New York, that great State, the Empire
State, where we have supposed there the strongest
expression OIL public opinion against L. DO you not
hat great change has taken place there frue, such
Is the compexty OF the parties there and such the effect
OF currents and under currents 10 politics. that the late
haps hope--and regret that il is and does the
whole naon--for the return OF that individual MIR
DIcKINsoNl who has long and ably represented that
you that there is the strongest evidence OF change
In public opinion where it the needed this
very subject What are the circumstances of the
The wing party had decided majority in the legislature,
much that it thought scarcely possible that
there could be question about the election of
BY their party. They knew, however that none but
moderate and air-mnded could be elected by them
because no other man could unite their party They
lected man who, understand from high authority,
was as little Objectionable as any individual; not of
those who go To extremes on this southern question that
he was a prominent as well as the moderate of
their party. understand that thought that the
friends of the compromise would have nothing regret
from his elecuon because, while on some thiRgs he
might differ he was fair and honorable man In all
probability he would have been elected a senator
OF the United States without any difficulty, had not pub
lc feeling been worked up that they determined
to have nobody that not exactly right this all
absorbing question The consequence that. in the
caucus Tor nominating TO this oce, the party could
be united, because portion refused pass certain
resolution expressing appreciation OF the compromise
measures After that they could not be sufficiently uni
ted to elect him But the result OF the whole transaction
shows that there has been great change public opn-
ion that there has been clear and distinct change
taking place, and is still going on there.
With all due difference to my friend from Virginia,
then, while this the state OF things, be de-
MED nor conovered submit whether it be polite and
wise or just TO object 10 the manner in which this law
has been carried out and is kelly to be carried ou' For
one, expected this law 10 be carried out without
some difficulties and objections think il well
Iied out as we had any reason 10 expect il would be
have the utmost zeal and energy displayed tor this
object would not have been made conscious OF the
strong disposition of the people OF the North this sub
conceived OF such disposition had not mani
by the people OF New York and other places in this
country. was impressed with i, and reoiced at IT,
do any reason, under these circumstances while
we have everything that should be expected, that we
should complain.
Some remark has been made with regard to the pulpit
and it has been said that the pulpit has been arrayed
| against u.s. We know that the case formefly-that
the churches North and South divided tins ques
ton and that this showed the extent OF the controversy
and increased its difficulties But submit whether a
great change has not taken place with regard TO the nu
OF the pulpit also. and whether II has not been d
rected in our favor than ormey' Look a, the city
of New York example; look al the numerous
mons from the talented men IN that city which
delivered on the last thanksgiving day What senti-
mens, what spirit did they breathe Love of the Union,
and zeal for the OF the law. They breathed
the spirit which should acuale patriots everywhere in
The pulpit and everywhere else They have been hailed
everywhere as indications OF the in which public
mi nat hey hry
trbuted over the South and have been noticed and ap
proved there; and all know the influence which
The clergy have in forming public opinion, II is strong
indication that the law will be carried outthat better
feeling exists at the North than formerly.
Mr.. President, stated yesterday that did not concur
in the opinions of the from Virginia regard to
the objections he made the which this law
executed and that did not think the people of the
South generally would concur with him 1t is useless TO
produce evidence to prove that the people oil the South
were satisfied that the law had been executed in good
faith Ii might be easily done. II s not necessary, how
ever 10 occupy the time OF the Senate with IT al present
But happen have in my hand letter which have
lately received from distinguished gentleman OF my
State and OF the opposite party IRON my own which
| speaks so clearly and distinctly and with so much wis
dom on this subject, that will advert to few passages
in il. II comes from prominent whg, agenieman very
active and who has always been so, member OF the
wing party and who takes prominent part IN all cleo
ions He native OF the South, where he has always
resided and planter and believe there is not ndi-
vdua in Louisiana who took more active part against
the election of my friend from Michigan during the last
read is one where he speaking OF the celebrated speech
OF the honorable senator from Michigan on the subject OF
the Wlmot Proviso:
"Mr Csss's speech almost the opening OF the last
/ sion placed 1t on the right footing"
carried about my poor copy OF the lnteligencer con
aining H. and persuaded 50 many to read that the paper
| is well nigh worn out" =
| Such appreciation, coming from such quarter and
under suon circumstances think entitled to some con-
sletaton But let hear what he says with regard 10
the fugtve-stave bill;
Ths iu bin was, il victory, constitutional
one for which patriot, whichever side OF Mason
and Dixons line IA. dwell, should be grateful, snpy
becsuae the constitution tnumphed o. question nPon
| which dutna 1ogues deemed themselves secure
| Evidence OF that kind might be easily multiplied.
But / will take up no further time OF the Senate
with reading There another point IN the speech
| of the senator from Virginia 10 which | wish TO ad-
yer, While he does not deny that this law has
been literally carried out still-as suppose that was
tbe meaning OF the remark that yielded frait-be
saws that the have not recovered Their slaves
without trouble, without delay and loss OF time, and
the remedy is inadequate II seems to me that
This argument based the faacy that any legal rem
edy s perfect and complete The senator from Virginia
i member Of the bar, and has had much experience
and pu it TO him how many cases, even OF successful
LITIGATION there where man comes out OF u wlhou'
o.s and trouble and without delay lhe most success
lul liiesn comes out, not only without gam, bu " a
loser THE fact is that all human laws are necessarily
we never expect to come TO exact lusncei we
cannot do it, All we can do Is to approach IT as nearly
ID nnssbIe None OF our laws perfect nor are they
oertectly executed We have laws with regard TO our
revenne service and numerous officers TO carry then
know there is not day in the year when these laws are
| ,...Jnt W. have criminal laws and courts to exc