Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-05-29

of this body representing the Tree States ot the
north, were actually present at the passage Of
THIS law, so that their votes could be recorded in
ts favor.
Il am perfectly aware that several Of the gen.
ilemen referred to were only accidentally alb
sent. and perhaps ali Of them had some reason
tor not being present, other than an unwilling
ness to be recognised by their constituents as
being friendly to this great aud essential meas.
ute. Indeed, believe most OF them had pre-.
yiou.ly declared their determination, either in
converse or otherwise, TO support the bill, But
q is, notwithstanding, tue that the circumstance
Of their being absent when the yeas and nays
were taken on the final passage OF the bill, has
been seized upon by certain persons in the
south, hostile 10 The public repnsc. and wielded
with great effect against the supporters OF the
plan compromise, aud to the serious endan-
gering Of the Union itself Besides, honorable
senators need not be reminded that the decara-
rion is constantly made by the enemies of the
Union, in different States of the Souh, that
great danger exists Of attempts being success
fully made, at some future period By our fellows
ciiZens of the North, to apply the Wilmot pro-
vso to our vacant territories. and to overcome y
congressional legislation, the system Of slavery
/ Ia the District of Columbia. ] have no appre.
hension myself aud know very we'll that the
! time has tnrever past when either of the meas
ures referred TO could receive the sanction eth
er Of this body or of the House of Representa-
! tIvps. But, until formal declaration shall be
made, in some such mode that now proposed,
/ OF determination to reclaim from these acts Of
aggression, formerly so seriously MANAGED, il is
unreasonable to expect all uneasness on these
points entirely to cease.
IL have now, Mr.. President stated few of
the most prominent reasons which induced me
. to offer this resolution, and | will conclude what
| have 10 say for the present, by declaring the
high qualification which | feel at its obtaining
the general support of the members Of this body. /
| shall say nothing more, unless the resolution
should hc attacked in such manner as to make
some special defence of il necessary"
Ii should he specially borne in mind, let me
repeat here, that at the lime this resolution was
ln'r' duced, several gentlemen were known TO
be occupants OF seats in either house of Con-
gress, (hUth vhigs aud democrats) who had .
been recently elected upon solemn pledge TO
aeitate perseveringy ior The repeal of the fugi,
tive slave law, large body Of ciizens in he
great State of Pennsylvania under the lead Of
a popular executive chief Gov Johnson,) had
decla red this lnwto be "as open TO modification
or repeal. as the tariff Of ls46;" whilst another
numerous faction, whose deadly ramfcaiions
extended more or less into all Of the free States
Of The North. and whose acknowledged leader is.
to my knowledge. the most active, insdious and
interruptions political manager that this coun-
Nv has ever known. had but recently, in various
ferns re affirmed the Wmol proyso, and, in
he empire State Of the North. were openly ur.
eing "the rl h and duty Of every voter 10 agila,e
for the repeal or modification Of any law, upon
The statute hook, which he did no, cordially ap
prove" The public man, who. with these slrk
ing nnd undeniablc facts before him, will un-
dertake to assert that in the month Of Decem-
Ser last universal dcguicsence in the compromise
measures bad already taken place. and that,
therefore, the South was not entitled to mand
some such assurance as that claimed by me- that
the fugitive slave law and lis associate measures
should remain unrepealed and unmodiGed; must
either be ncurnby obuse Of understanding, or
intends 10 use the language nf deception and
hypocrisy in order to d. ludr and TO betray.
II would seem. that resolution introduced I
for such purposes, and accompanied with such
frank and fall explanations, might, as il surely
onght to have been, adopted promptly and With I
oil opposition Of a fierce and flctious character ,
from any q'rarier I certainly expected TO en-. q
counter none such. and confidently relied upon &
q
in hr Senate should become vacant. Bul un. d
bapnily, there were several gentlemen Of eT c
re ne southern opinions in the Senate, and per- a
1aps about An equal number Of senators from the
North. who were formally committed 10 free soil r
nd abolition senrmpnis--a Of whom were re. a
,olved that the country should have no more C
luief until some luHher effort could be essayed h
o defeat the settlement which bad been 50 bapi- II
y agreed on in Congress. Al the head Of the a
opposition movement from the South, was Mr.. p
iherl Of South Carolina. who in the course Of a
ehate did not hesitate To avow the ardent desire o
which he entertained, that the Union itself {,
hould be given up in preference to submitting Il
o the measures of compromise. II will be rec. %
elected that this gentleman had taken il upon n
mselC in the Senate, during the last winter,
dPclare the fugitive slave law unconstitutional, a
nd 10 justify th~ unprincipled resistance 10 il -
Which took place twelve months ago. in the ol
tate Of Massachu.eus. This gentleman had m
aid on that memorable occasion. r.
"No authority within State can siezs A.
riminsl against the laws of another State bot ib
,e authority of the State ifsslf 10 which he J.
ls Old. This is The law Of nations, is dcknow- e1
iged by lhe act Of 1898 with respec, 10 fugitive re-
-intHsl., bat is denied with respect to fugitive Pr
aves.' vi
Again says tie gentleman;
ave would long since have bad peaceably "a
is guarantee 81 the Constitution or have dissol- Of
Il our connection with rhem. A. subiti'uie re-
and an exclusive sub-tilive-fJT this peacea. | a
2 and more efficient rednass under the Consii. ter
ton. Congress hs- a-sfped the power Si legs- sta
ling upyn this subject. sai
Agsia he say-: 10.
"The sraie. iaiing fha, the Supreme Court asl
The Unii d states, have asserted and maintain on
? eH-criFe right of Congress 10 lssislaie lor eei
recovery of iagitivs slaves By the authority iio