The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-23
Hon. R. w. Thompson, of Indiana.

We have received from This gentleman long reply to
a communication we published. some days since, which
commented on recent speech delivered by him al BALI
more and cited particular aeis OF his while member OF
the House OF Representatives We do not perceive tina,
we have BY the publication referred to- the comments
attending il, given Mr. Thompson right TO place in our
columns production like that he has sent and as
the pressure upon them is Just very great we mast
respectfully decline publish his communication Mr.
Thompson does not, il we understand him, charge
correspondent with any missatenen, OF facts exee, in
:his-ihst when the Walker amendment before lie
Thirtieih Congress Mr Thompson voted for Mr McCer
nand resolution thai the House OF Representatives should
recede from its disagreement to that amendment while
our correspondent stated that northern wing voted in
that manner.
Having stated this error, think we have done fun
Justice 10 Mr. Thompson whose speech a, Baltimore at
tracied attention only because undertook 10 set forth
General SCOTS opinions, gathered from private inter
views with him. Such system of electioneering can
not be TOO strongly reprobsed for mus, lead 10
fraudulent PRACTICES Mr.. Thompson reported TO have
announced 10 the people OF Baltimore that he bad made
speech in Is49 advocating the COMPROMISE, and that Gen
Scout had, in private conversation, approved OF Il
Knowing that MIR. Thompson was not a member OF the
House OF Representatives when the compromise meas
ures were before Congress- questioned the accuracy
Of the report Nj. Thompson, in his communication,
susains Us; but he says that he did lsi the people OF
Baltimore that on the 25lh OF January 1872 he made
speech in Congress in phid he advocated the tgatvs
sape iap and that General Scott approred the s,ninen
he expressed Now, with all due respect, must join
issue with Mr. Thompson. When undertakes 10
speak of the fugtyes slave law, he is understood 10
speak OF the law which passed in $780, and which has
been the subject Of so much discussion. That law had
not been reported when MIR. Thompson made his speech
in January lsse; and, having the speech before
aver that dos ailuds any alteration OF the law Of
7e3 or hint al aay additional legislation that subject,
or say anything rih reference 10 fugitive slaves or fug
tive-save laws. except TO condemn those who had OBJ
siructed the Law then existing, and TO say that "be
represented a constituency among whom the master
would be just secure under the law Of the land
1.-The law Of 1881 in attempting 10 recover his fu-
eiiive slave as in any county Of Virginia or North
Carolina That is ali that MIR Thompson said on
that subject and YET, according 10 his own report,
be told the people OF Baltimore that he had made
speech in Congress 10 which be advocated the fugitive
siaW low." and that General Scott approved he scnt-
ments he expressed When party presents candidate
the people, and requires him conceal his opinions
on important questions, the people should not listen to
men who undertake to set forth his views by reporting
his conversations.