The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1851-07-09


The next measure to which I have re-
ferred, is the repeal of the fugitive slave act
1t is matter Of infinite surprise TO me how
any close observer of our political affairs can
for moment suppose that this law will be
repealed by the next Congress, or for many
years to come. This is the only measure OF
the Compromise whose repeal is threatened.
Some of those measures are, in fact, ire
Pealable by Congress; they need no further
help from their friends, but can now take
care of themselves. But The issue of repeal
Is distinctly made on the fugitive slave law,
and though the efforts of the Abolitionists
may be bold, open, and vigorous, they can
not carry majority of both Houses of Con-
gress and the President. The Administers
tion and all the advocates of the Comprom-
ise have determined to keep this law upon
the Statute Book. That. is the issue. Its
execution is another thing. We all know it
is practically repealed already. All laws may
sometimes require extraordinary means to
enforce them, but law which always re-
quires such means for its enforcement is not
| worth the parchment it is written on. This
is truth which sooner or later will force it.
self upon the popular mind, and hence the
| deep anxiety and embarrassment of the Ad-
ministration and the advocates of the Com
promise in relation to this law. They know
in their hearts and consciences that this law
is not what every law ought to be, the in
struments Of cheap and speedy justice; and
hence they seek to cover up this glaring fact.
and to create diversion upon the issue of
its mere formal repeal by Congress; and up
on this issue, I tell you, they will succeed,
let Giddings rave, or Seward plot, or Sum-
ner talk heroics as he may.
Although I have a most perfect convic-
ton that this law will not be repealed, have
at the same time very strong conviction
that it may be modified to suit Northern
Prejudices. do not mean to say tia: :!:;s
is certain. desire to state my positions
geration.
The advocates of the Compromise declar-
ed from the day Of its adoption that they
would oppose the repeal" or "any essential
modification of the Fugitive Slave Law.
Mark you, any essential modification. Ncw
there are several features of that law which
its supporters are ready to modify, for the
purpose OF increasing their strength at the
North, if they could venture to do so; and
they would say they were not essential mod
iications. For instance, they would be will
ling to modify that provision which allows
the record made up at home, of the facts Of
escape, and that the fugitive was the slave
of the claimant, to be used in evidence with
out further proof, except as to identity, DC.
This would be sop to Cerberus. AS to
the trial by jury, I presume Mr.. Webster
himself would be willing to engrat that pro-
vision on the law, for it was provision in
the bill which he himself introduced before
leaving the Senate.
Repeal, therefore, regard as out Of the
question. Modification or amendment may
be attempted, but very cautiously.
The abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia, and the repeal of the fugitive
slave law, then. are the only overt acts of
aggression which, in my judgment can be
committed by Congress against the South at
tthis, time. feel the most abiding conf
fdence5thst neither will be done in our day.
Our advefsaUsss will take care that the meas
nre of aggression slall be lust so much as
will stop short of uniting the South. Your
patience shall be their guage. The sadvos
Gates Of cooperation then must adjourn the
question Of Disunion to another day. If
the past, or any issue which may be made
upon the past, cannot unite the South, then
the future Of our day will afford no measure
for resistance. % - ~
My solemn belief therefore, IL. that "co-
operation" is submissjon.to the Compromise.
Submission toEtbe past with mo hope for the
/ future. Now, in using the term "submis-
SON do not mean to apply it in any of.
fensise sense whatever, TO our friends who
differ from us on this occasion. Far from it.
Iknow they are men who would spurn the
Idea Of voluntary submission, with all the
scorn end indignation Of unsullied patriot
ism. Ispeak to them as would have them
speak 10 me, with sincerity and respect.
must be allowed, therefore, 70 say TO them,
4 |youYposition DRIFT tsyQa Hi ith the inevitable
certainty Of the Gull sssssm to submission
Y You will take your place BY the aide oftliose
whose course yon 90 mnclf copdenpn. You
will ratify the Compromise. The voice 81
South Carolina wialsbe hushed. She can.
! not 30 back to feed upon the husks Of high
sounding resolutions, protests and lsM9n.
q stsancss. in two years she will sink down
into tho sttitdde ,of utter nepsIesistancS;; ns
human power can avert this rssult: Ilial
|, tin othss alesatS in hsk would
i Ebe derided. She l1ss gone 20 fsr that sht
must ,poxs ss6S a Law INTO hsself sBnt i
Emay BE- ssid sHs will te In no ssosss eondi
{ tionA than our ftianas Who ara j nfnosifv Il
a the ottisf SOnthsfn Etaiss. ,IIis u 81 q pi
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J, EsnE ~ Sssu ding
lI;passs boy M - 8 a;iniiiol md ttf,sfa
8 10 wthont ssspon1ibb ye ara Ri
jositS snd have al sponibilfsy fefi
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