The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-26
WASHINGTON. ID. G.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW, &C.
SPEECH OF CHS. DURKEE, OF WISCONSIN,
IL THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,

CONCLUDED.
have thus MIR Chairman. endeavored to
give plain view according to my understand
ING. OF the principles of the Baltimore plat
forms and Of the policy they seek TO enforce
If have erred in drawing the picture, beg
to be corrected by the knowing ones among
the chief priests of Democracy around me- In
Justice to the candidates let me quote some of
their own words General Pierce says, ne
has consistently accepted the nomination upon
the platform adopted by the Convention, not
because this was expected Of him as a candi-
date, but because the principles it embraces
command thc appreciation of his judgment,
and with them, be can safely as well as truly,
say. there has been no word or action of his
life in conflict Mr. King said in discussing
the slavery question, that the Legislatures of
the ucwly-acquired Territories had no power to
pass any law to destroy slavery, but, on the
other hand they we're bound to pass laws for
its protection General Scott says he accepts
the nomination with the platform of the Con
vention But sir. | am dwelling too long ON
these broad and patriotic principles Of the Hun
ker Democrats | will now say word or two
about the policy of the Hunker Wings, who are
waiting so nJatently for my testimony, to show
blv struck with one idea in the Wing platform.
in relation to our duty towards other countries
now struggling for freedom. which declares
that We are not to impose upon other cOun-
tries oar opinions by artihcr or force, but to
teach by example Now sir, we all agree in
the proprcty of teaching by example, though
We may differ widely as to the character of the
lessons we aFe to teach The Algerines taught
by example. Gibbs, the pirate, taught by ex-
ample Nero taught by example. England,
in her doctrine Of constructive treason un-
der James IT, and in her subsequent con-
duet towards the American colonies taught by
example She is now teaching by example, in
crushing the patriotic hearts of ireland. Rus.
sia taught by example, in her Intervention pol
ley against the liberties of Hungary. She is
now teaching by example in seeking to subdue
the German States Yes, sir this is teaching
by example but an example that carries with
it devastation and ruin at home and abroad
IL is an example of Scafiolds and prisons-an
example that brushes female innocence, sacri-
fee, noble and patriotic hearts and enslaves the
people Are these the lessons we are to repeat
in teaching foreign countries by the force of
" example :" While all Europe is striving to
throw off the yoke Of despotism, are we the peO-
pie to suppress free discussion or agitation,
in order to teach by example, Shall our
vast country be converted into slave territory,
and twenty-five Millions Of people be made slave
hunters with the same benevolent view
Sir, If this prove 10 be the settled policy Of
the United States will confess have read
history and studied human nature to little pur-
pose But it cannot be. The great extent to
which the blind and reckless spirit of party
slavery is now cherished is a presGge Of its own
dissolution, and that, too, at no distant period.
Mr.. Chairman, | have alluded to the abuse
of political power by James H. Permit
me to run the parallel between the policy of
the English Government Immediately prcce-
ding the revolution Of l6SS, and that ofthe pres
ent Administration of the United States. Ii
will be remembered that the liberties Of the
English people were guaranteed by II written
Constitution similar to our own. The King, to
remove this serious obstacle to the restoration
of absOIutism, had recourse to the doctrine Of
" passive obedience, and the subservency of II
Judiciary that sympathized with him in the
great object Of his ambition.
This is precisely the course pursued here.
James appointed JctlrieS to construc the laws
and Constitution of England. Our Government
has selected Il majority OF the Supreme Court
from that class who have received their cduca-
ton under the influence of Southern institutions
and habits, t. construe the Constitution and
laws Of the United States
Now. sir let MS look moment ut the appli-
cation Of these principles as they were admin
istered IN England and as they are attempted
to be enforced IN this country. The King by
perverted construction OF the British Constl-
tuition, through the notorious Jcifries, and by
the popSlar sentiment of paSHrc 0bcdicncc among
the people found himself clothed with absolute
power and from this period in English histo-
ry date some of the most bloody crucltics and
judicial murders perpctrated under the doe
trine of constructive treason that can be
found in the annals of the world. 1t appears
that the King, at thus time embraced similar
views of personal liberty to those represented
IN the Wing plationn-sentimcnts that he
wished 20 maintain az n b inalty.' He, aided
by other branches of the Government had
made this Compromise for the prescrya-
ton Of the British Empire, and deprecated
further agitation Of the subject 1t was for
agitation aud disturbance of that final set
Element that so many generous and patriotic
citizens oi England were executed Alice Les
lie, known aS the Lady Alice, was the first We
tim that suffered for indirectly encouraging II
disturbance of the fnality measures Her
HE was taken for the hospltable entertainment
Of one who advocated liberal views in relation
to government and the rights of the people |
quote from Macaulays History:
The jury at first, were inclined to ucuit the pris
oncr, but the Government had determined she should
be SACRIFICED, and an influence was cXcrtcd ON the
Juty to return Vctdict of guilty On the following
morning sentence was pronounced Jcilrcs gave iii.
rectlons that Alice Leslie should be burned alive that
very afternoon.
few other cnsos deserve special attention Ahra-
ham Holmes, retired officer of the Parliamentary
Army, and ono OF those 2calots VINO would own no
King but King Jesus, had been taken at Scdpmoor
Ills arm had been trightlully mauglcd and shattered
30 the batlc, and, rs no surgeon at hand the
stout old soldier ampututcd II himself He wascarrc
up Ia London and examined by the King in Council
but would make no submission. o | am an aged man,
he sand AMI what remains To me of life Is not worth
q ialsehood or bascncss have always been re-
publican. and ann So still lie was sent hack To the
west aud hanged woman, for some idle words such
as had been uttered by half the women in the dis
u'ls' wa. condemned To be- whipped through all the
market towns m lh" county of Dorset 4 still more
righlul sentence was passed ON lad named Tutcheu
who was tried tor solutions words The sentence was
that the hoy should bee imprisoned seven wears and
during that period, be- logged through every market
town in DOrsrtshirO every year. The women i'm tho
galleries burst iutes tears The clerk of the arraipns
stood up In groatdisordcr My Lord, said he the
prisoner IL very young. There are many market
towns in our county The sentence amounts to
whipping once fortnight for seven years Tutchcn
an his despair pctoncd, and probably with sincerity
that hc might bo hanged
Another painful case of this constructive
treason was the execution of Elizabeth Gaunt,
for harhoring one Burton who was hostile to
the Government This Burton was then op-
posed To the Kings Compromise measures
but afterward changed his politics went over
10 the Government, or bunker party, and in
formed against Elizabeth Gaunt She was tried
and sentenced to be burned at the stake for
tlns very act Of friendship toward her accuser
when hs life was in great peril
he cruel and yudictiNc decree was soon after
carried into cd.c at Tyburn
She l'li paper written, indeed in no graceful
.INIn. ANI h -Lll L. Il.