Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31

dtonGl land districts In the state OF Wisconsin, reported
il back without amendment and asked its immediate
consideration which agreed to, and the bill
read third time and passed.
FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW
Mr. SUMNER l ask the Senate to take up the resolu
ton which offered yesterday, and ON this question
wish say word In asking the Senate to take up this
resolution for consideration say nothing of its merits
nor of the argument by which it may be maintained
do anticipate any objection to il these grounds Al
this viii properly belong TO the discussion Of the resou
ton itself when it is actually before the Senate The
simple question is not the resolution but whether
shall be heard upon it, As Senator, under the respon
sblites of my position, have deemed it duty to Offer
this resolution seem TO have postponed this duty
aninconyenent period of the sessions but had attempt
ed at earlier day, might have exposed myself
charge Of different character 1t might then have been
said that conner, and inexperienced in the scene
without deberaton hastily rashy, recklessly pushed
this question before the country This is not the
have taken tme and in the exercise of my most careful
discretion ask for it the attention of the Senate
shrink from any appeal founded trivial personal
consideration but should be blamed for any delay lat
terly may add that though in my seat daily my bodily
health for time past down to this very week, has
not been equal 10 the service have undertaken am
not sure that it is But | desire TO try.
And now, again. say the question is simply, whether
] shall be heard. In allowing me this privlege-ths
right, may say-you do not commit yourselves IN
any way TO the principle Of the resolution you merely
follow the ordinary usage Of the Senate, and yield to
brother Senator the opportunity which he in the
practical discharge Of his duty to express convictions
dear his heart and dear TO large numbers of his con-
stuents For the sake of those constituents, for my
own sake desire to be heard. Make such DISPOSE
ton of my resolution afterwards to You shall seem best
visit upon any degree Of criticism, censure, dis
pleasure but do not deprive Inc of hearing Strike,
but hear
The PRESIDENT The motion Of the Senator is, ]
presume to postpone the prior orders with the view Of
taking up that resolution.
Mr.. SUMNER, 1t is.
Mr.. MASON. 1t is the undoubted right of every Sena-
Tor introduce into this body any subject which, in his
Judgment is appropriate the OCCASION but there is
correave right the part of the Senate to consider II
or not they think proper Now, object to the consi-
deraton of this resolution at this time but from no dis
courtesy the gentleman who has introduced it from no
objection proper time. consider the question in
yoved in the resolution, if any gentleman here, his
Senatorial responsibility, chooses to bring it up but
object it because it is manifest, at this late period Of
the session that the Senate give it further cons
daon than to hear the remarks Of the Senator who in
troduces it 1t is not therefore introduced for any
teal object; and because of its disturbing character
because whenever does before the Senate it
in the form of brand viii say that till the Senate
is prepared to consider it, and pass upon it, object to
lis consideration and upon the question Of taking the
resolution ask for the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays ordered.
Mr. BROOKE. ! merely wish to state Mr.. President,
that State which have the honor in part to repre-
sent upon this floor and also the State that so worth
represented by my friend who sits my left CHARL-
TOM stand in peculiar attitude III reference TO this
question Both of these States have in the most solemn
manner by of conventons-not merely party con-
yenons but conventions assembled by requisono Of their
northumberland in the most solemn and emphatic
that the repeal essential modification of the
fugitive slave law shall be regarded by them sufficient
cause the dissolution of this Union This, sir is
idle threat 1t is threat which believe viii certainly
be carried into execution with the full OF the
whole South whenever that shall be done. Then, sir
regard this proposition no less than TO instruct
the Committee the Judiciary to bring IN bill to dis
solve this Union, and cannot consent-courtesy or no
chr ha
late dsy of the session Sir the State of Mississ
pi do regard this fugitive slave law of any
l benefit Our negroes in the State Of Mississippi
seldom if ever escape the Northern States and when
they do escape we consider the time, and trouble, and
expense Of recapturng them being more than they
worth
The PRESIDENT. The Senator from Mississippi must
lie aware that the resolution is under consideration
Mr.. BROOKE. | am aware, Mr.. President, that it il
not and am why itshouldnot be taken
The PRESIDENT The sena is not entering into
the merits of the resolution?
Mr. BROOKE. No, sir. As l remarking, we dc
not regard this law having any merits far in
Mississippi concerned but that its repeal would be
an act OF bad fah-an showing that no faith OF
win be kept by Northern brethren with US and W
contend that Union preserved under such circumstances
would be than Union al all. Hence am op
posed that this stage Of the session question 50 mo
snentous should be brought before discaim any
intention to exhibit Of courtesy towards the Sena
COR from Massachusetts, in refusing my vote 20 take W
this resolution and think have given reasons which
should be satisfactory therefore to lay the whole
subject upon the table.
Mr. CHARLTON. VIII the Senator from Mississippi
withdraw that motion for moment! will renew it.
Mr. BROOKE. | withdraw the motion.
Mr. CHARLTON. Mr.. President it is my misfortune
20 have differed with the honorable Senator from Massa
chusetts another occasion, well TO do this
occasion on question Of the courtesy Of this House
am sorry to do it, for il would give great pleasure
be able offer any courtesy TO that gentleman But the
question before is something than question Of
courtesy 1t is question, the Senator from Mssis-
sippi mir BRooKE has just said Of vital Importance
this Union and particularly TO the State which have the
honor In part TO represent Dir. President look at I'll,
position Of affairs this body Your tables load
ed with bills bills Of important and necessary cha
racter; appropriation bills bills necessary for the pur
pose Of carrying on the machinery Of Government
and all these must stand still that resolution may be de
baed which will have the effect IL il have any effect
all to rend in pieces this Union / say rcnd in pieces
for the State Of Georgia stands pledged that the momen
the fugitive slave Law is repealed, what will, com
what may at once to dissolve the ties which she
IL; and having thrown down that gauntlet neither no
any Of my constituents viii be willing to recede from IT,
IL the Senator from Massachusetts, will look little
only little, beyond his coast he viii see the humi
liatng spectacle Of the starspsnged banner-I viii
say trailing in the dust-but halfmast and the
and captain of vessel in charge Of Of the captains
national vessel Of Great Britain And If he turns hi
attention back from that humliating spectacle to thi
chamber be viii every Senator ready protect tn
interest OF the country and the property Of his consttu
ents he viii see every ready disregardng every
onal prejudice and feeling give his property and III
blood for the protection Of the property Of citizens of an
portion Of this Confederacy.
Just at this time, when we know where the brunt q
this war is fall IL there be a war we know our condi
ton upon Southern borders but we do not look a
those consequences when the interests Of the Confederac
etaL nd Wa are will In hca