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


IN THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
August 6. 1852,
On Tho Fpgiiiue Stare Lar as a "Fndiity"-
Present Position Of Parties
IcoNCLUDED.
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 10y 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, he
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 the appreciation of his judgment,
and, with them, he can safely, As well a. truly,
say. there has been no word or action of his
life in conflict" MIR King said in discussing
the slavery question, that the Legislatures of
the ncwly-acauired Territories had no power to
pass any law 10 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 a word or two
about the policy of the IIunker Wings who are
waltingso impatiently for my testimony, to show
their fidelity to the slave power | was forci-
bv 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 c0un-
tries our opinions by artitce or force, but to
teach by example Now sir we all agree in
the propriety of teaching by example though
We may differ widely as to the character OF the
lessons we are to teach. The AIgerines taught
by example. Gibbs the pirate, taught by ex-
ample Nero taught by example England,
in her doctrine of constructive treason I'M
der James II and in her subsequent con
duct 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 Snbdue
the German States. Yes sir this is teaching
bv example but an example that carries with
it devastation aud ruin at home and abroad. |
lt is an example of Scatiolds and prisonS--an |
example that brushes female innocence, sacrl |
fee, noble and patriotic hearts and enslayes the |
people. are JlltNt INC ltNH'lo VIC ulC W ltltdb |
IN teaching foreign countries by the force of
example :" While all Europe is striving to
throw of the yoke Of despotism are we the pcO-
pie to suppress free discussion or agitation
in order to teach by exampe!' 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 to be the settled policy of
h., I'yit.l | mill pp,iaIs IuVn rand |
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 preSage of its own
dissolution, and that too Mt no distant period.
MIR Chairman, have alluded to the abuse
of political power by James II. Permit
me to run the parallel between the policy of
the English Government Immediately prcoe
ding the revolution of 1858, and that ofthe pres
eDt Administration Of the United States. 1t
will be remembered that the Liberties Of the
English people were guaranteed by written
Constitution similar to our own. The King to
remove this serious obstacle to the restoration
Of abSOutism, had recourse to the doctrine of
q passive obedience, and the subseryiency Of Il
Judiciary that sympathized with him in the
great object Of his ambition
This is precisely the course pursued here
James appointed Jclrics to construc the laws
and Constitution of England Our Government
has selected majority OF the Supreme Court
from that class who have received their educa-
ton under the influence of Southern institutions
and habits, u construe the Constitution and
laws of the United States
Now, sir let us look moment mt the appll-
cation Of these principles as they were admin
lstered IN England and rs they are attempted
to be enforced IN this country. The King, by
a perverted construction ui the British Const-
tuition, through the notorious JctlreS and by
the popsar ,'ntmontof pdSarc Obedicacc among
the people found himself clothed with absolute
power and from this period in English histo-
ry date some of the most bloody crueltes and
judicial murders pcrpetrated under the doe
trne of constructive treason that can be
found in the annals Of the world Ii appears
that the King, at thus time embraced similar
views OF personal liberty tO those represented
IN the Wing platonn-sentimrnts that hc
wished 20 MAINTAIN as a iiualty.' He aided
by other branches of the Government had
made this Compromise for the prescrya-
ton W Of the British Empire, and deprecated |
further agitation Of the subject 1t was for |
agitation aud disturbance of that Z" final set |
Element that go many generous and patriotic
citizens Of England were executed. Alice Les
lie, known as the Lady Alice was the first vie
tim that suffered for indirectly encouraging
disturbance of the fnality measures Her
life was taken for the hosptable entertainment
Of one who advocated liberal views in relation
to government and the rights of the people |
quote from Nlacaulay History:
The jury, at FIRST were inclined to ucquit the prs
onor, but the Government had determined she should
be sacrificed, and an influence was cxcrtcd ON the
jury 20 return verdict of guilty On the following
morning sentence was pronounced Jcflrcs gave Iii.
rectons that Alice Leslie should be burned alive that
very afternoon
A few other cases deserve special attention Ahra-
ham Holmes, retired officer Of the Parliamentary
Army, aud one of those zcalots who would own uo
King but King Jesus, had been taken at Sedgmoor
ilis arm had been trighlully manglod aud shattered
ln The battle and, rs no surgeon was at hand, the
stout old soldier amputatclit himself He was carried
zap To London and examined by the King in Council
but would make no submission. am an aged man
hc sand and what remains to me of life is not worth
% ialsrhoud a bascncss. | have always been re-
publican, and am still lie was sent back to the
west aud hngcd. \ woman, for some idle words such
as had boon uttered by half the women in the dis.
trct, Wa. condemned TO be- whipped through all the
market towns m the county of Dorset A still more
hghiul sentence was passed ON lad named rutchen,
who tried Tor scitious words The sentence was
that the boy should ho Imprisoned seven years and,
N"l'lN 'l"' p''''' wv H"~S'n through every market
town in Dors"tshiro every year, The women in the
galleries burst into tears Tho clerk of the arragns
stood up iu groat disorder My Lord said he, the
prisoner IL very young. There are many market
towns in county Tho sentence amounts to
whipping once fortnight for seven years Tutchen
in his despair, pcttoncd, and probably with sincerity
that hc might bo hanged
Another painful case Of this constructive
treason was the execution of Elizabeth Gaunt
for harboring 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
TO the Government or Ilunker party, and in
formed against Elizabeth Gaunt She was tried
and sentenced % be burned nj the stake for