The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-02

convention, desire To advert remarks which
5s Is. [ K y s T.a esi
Abe Sssa III call made BY he Senate upon The Presi
ieter ptenpaton on aspbjeet ptodaeing great excite
SaAt Throughout the Union. bink may safely add hai
the only result OF any ATTEMPT 10 idicule opon Stale
paper al such importance would be to reader our
selves ridiculous, Sir. Inc recent occurrence ~ Boston
now engages The attention Of the people OF the United
SAiss GU have called Tor information in relation 10 A.
Tie PRESIDENT advising you of what he has done Tor The
purpose o. enforcing the execution OF the laws through
hs ministerial ofcers Of the government, communicates
YOU he pcaTation which he has deemed II his DUTY 10
ISSUE and thai proclamation has been made the subject OF
uafrendiy Criticism IN the discussion before this body
n Is mol necessary Tor noe 10 pronounce the euogy OF
the President Of the United States YET ia frank ness,
hold myself bound to say that that message affords abund
ant evidence OF his disposition perform fully his whole
duty in this matter. Why then, is the proclamation
which has been issued subjected 10 the criticism made
upon ~ i IS said in the language OF senator, that
has been stolen Ia my Judgment that senator takes
very imperfect view OF the intention and object OF this
paper When is said by senators that il cannot effect
the reclamation OF the fugitive, my they
what they do not know, and cannot with any certainty
pradenty affirm. II the fugitive has escaped beyond the
limits OF the United States then The proc amation will be
Intellectual reclaim him but if he should be sill within
those Limits, the people OF thus Unon reused TO action ny
the procamalon, be enabled to arrest him. and inns
impossible for il to effect But the object OF that procIa
nation, apprehend its chief object, is to enJon upon
the ministerial officers Of the government and upon citizens
generally their obligation to aid in the execution and en-
orcement OF this law, II looks rather 10 the future than
10 the past II is its moral influence il the community
which think Is principally TO be relied upon and winch
mparts 10 II It's Chief Importance and value II VIII exert
this influence, unless fanaicsn has exngushed the feel
ing Of PATRIOTISM In this view OF the proclamation
think i u superior 70 any exceptions which have been
from Ohio Mr. CHAsEl in Iegrelting that the subject has
been thrust upon us at this fine" value as much as
any other man the little remnant OF time which remains
TO this Congress. know there Important measures
yet Enacted upon but know of no question equal in
importance to that of the ascerlanment whether the laws
Of hs c9uny especially won suess, Like NE are
do concur IN the constitutional opinion expressed by
that senator That opinion, as understand i, referring
and utterly dsregarding its authority that the pro-
vision OF the constitution tor the restoration OF fugitive
slaves the result Of the compact between the people Of
The several States which neither imposes any obligation
upon nor mparts any authority to- government OF the
United States Mr. President, what have first say of
thai opinion is that question which the constitution re-
mts TO the judicial determination Of the Supreme Court Of
the United States has been settled in direct opposition to
the opinion expressed BY the senator from Ohio have
10 say further, that while the judgment Of the court in
the often referred to declares that the govern
men of the United States is alone auhorzedio carry into
execution this provision OF The constitution. and while il
admits diversity oil opinion among the members com
posing thatIbnnal 10 the question whether hate Off
bound TO be assistants in carrying The law
execution. il states the unanimous opinion Of the Judges
that il was competent TO these State officers voluntarily
them to redeem the good faith OF their fathers But sir
the proposition OF The senator from Ohio that because
this is a compact between the several States compo-
sing this Union, it therefore imparts no authority 10
the general government TO enforce the execution OF
this, law is, IN my judgment, 80 mons,rons that he
cannot himself upon reflection. continue TO urge It,
What Is the bond which unites VI? What Is that
constitution OF which this forms part but com
pact between the people OF the several States OF this
Union IN virtue OF which the federal government was
compact, it imparts authority the general govern
men to execute the laws in relation 10 this particular
provision inquire from what source does the general
| nnan dprIye nj
under the constitution All and each OF these
the result OF compact between the people OF the
several States the ordination and establishment OF the
government. which the officers OF that government were
appointed to carry into execution, and whatever may be
said OF the powers and authorities oil the general govern
ment under the constitution may be affirmed OF their
power under this particular provision of that instrument
With respect TO the qxeston of the execution non
execution OF the law, ny one class OF senators II has
been commended mat with the exception OF the recent
Boston, this law has been faithfully executed wheres
has occurred while BY others il denied that
has been IN any instance executed with the good fahh
which belongs 10 provision OF this kind; that Is 10
say that. although the law has been literally carried into
effect has been under delays encumbrancss and al
expense TO the claimants, which have deprived them OF
the benefits which this law intended TO accord 10 them
Ia my humble Judgment, m this and Other cases ulth
lies between these extremes. believe that, with The
exception OF the cases occurring IN Boston, the law has
been earned eec. the several which have
attracted my attention bat believe. also, that IN iis
execution the claimants have been subjected TO delays
and expenses not contemplated By The trainers OF The
law and which would carry oul in It's Just spirit The
provision OF the constitution 90 not acquIesce. IN the
argument OF the senator from New York (Mr nlcKIN-
soN1 and the senator from Michigan Mr. CAssl this
subject That argument s that delays and expenses
inevitably incident To judicial proceedings. agree that
this ii is the prce which the sutor must pay.
And II the delay and expenses incident TO ordinary judi
cal proceedings had alone occurred IN these The
argument would have afforded perfect answer Bat, an
ordinary OF judicial nvesg alton the snI,or is left
TO contend with his particular adversary lie ~ subject
such expenses that adversary may give rise To- and
to such delays he create In these cases however
whenever claimant presents himself for the recorery
of fugitive slave under the provisions OF the law, with
people, meeting him by their agents at every point where
such CLAIM is made This, sir, Is safe OF things which
does not belong 10 the ordinary administration Of justice
which inconsistent with the spirit and intention OF that
law, which was designed 10 afford prompt and snmma
~ remedy to claimants, and which, therefore, qualities
the declaration which am disposed 10 make, that the
law with the exception OF the IN Boston, has been
| earned nio eheetual execution. E"H s.
| But what them II this law has hitherto been sub.
ected these embauasnens and distinctions IN its
ecuiIon shall therefore pronounce II incapable oil
practical enforcement think not. III the Senate vii
consider that thus is law which has besn existe
but four or hive monhsthat II was passed. al The
termination OF exciting session OF Congress. and
scented 10 the American people then laborDg under hugh
TO that II IL premature at this moment 10 form
any decisive opinion adverse 10 the capacity oil this Law
for practical enforcement We want time TO ascerair
that fact We have the manifestation of disposition
on the part Of the Chief Executive Magistrate to give
to II the force which Its trainers designed. We have
before us proposition 10 impart TO that magistrate
powers which will enable him TO give adltonal iaeil
lies TO the execution and enforcement OF the law. 70
one i content 10 wat the experiment. and TO ascertain
whether. with the and OF such additional powers as