The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1852-07-27
Address TO the Union Wings
of the South and North.

~s-
We give below part of an address
delivered by Sam. C. Reid, Esq, Jr. on
the nomination OF Gen. Scott for Pres
sident, showing his reasons why, as "A
Union whig, he will not support him
The COMPROMISE Resolutions and the
Fugitive Slave Bill were passed. On these
\ Important measures majority of the Con-
&gress of the United States pledged their
faithful adherence and support A major
sisy OF the people of this Union, OF both
Aparties. afterwards held mass meetings,
rarifed these acts of Congress. aud pledged
their sacred honor TO maintain and carry
out tl,e law of the land for the protection
OF che slave properly of the South by pass
ling what is called finality resolutions"
These acts apparently decreed the uues.
tion between the North and South fiually
settled forever, thus consecrated by tie two
great parties OF this country, the subject
was buried and mansOleum erected in
the holy sactaary of the political burying
ground Of the Union.
Now let us see, fellow-citi2ens. how both
parties have kept their faith. with regard TO
this great national compact; and the best
criterion to go by will be to take up the
platforms of both parties, launched at the
National Conventions, by which they are
60 sink or swim. We will commence with
she ~hig platform first, aud give the arti.
Gle eatice fos fear that may be accused of
natilatiag it The eight article in relation
20 this subject says:
=" That the series of measures commonly
kaows as the compromise, including the
fagssive slave law, are received and ac9us.
esced in by the whig party of the United
States as "A settlement ia principle aud in
Substance tiIa! settlement--of the dan.
gerous and exciting questions which they
eEahssce4 aud SO far as the fugitive slave
aaw Is 'cencerned. we will maintain the
same and insist on its strict enforcement,
G,iai iei,ne and experience shal demonstrate
nhe necessity of future legislation to guard
RsaSast evasion or abuse, but not impaiing
6ss present efficiency; and we depricate all
6nFther agitation Of the slavery question as
dangerous to our peace. and will discounte.
nance all efforts at the renewal or counte
nance of such agitation, in Congress or out
of it, whenever, wherever, aud however
the attempt may be made; aud we will
maintain this system OF measures as a poll
icy essential to the nationality of the wing
party. and the integrity Of the Union.
lappeal to any candid. flank. unpreju-
diced man. and ask him. after careful and
studied reading of it. If ii is either free from
ambiguity or doubt. and whether or not it
does not create suspicion on the mind OF
the reader as TO ITS true meaning and intent.
In all the wording of this resolution, there
is no bold declaration whatever, that the
Fugitive Slave Law shall be sustained and
;adhered to as the final law Of the land. On
the contrary. the Compromise Measures
and the Fugitive Slave Law are merely
" received and acqIiesced in as a settle
anentin principle and substance" To con-
-stFue language properly, we must under
stand fully the meaning Of words. What
d the definition. then. of acquiescence Ac-
cording TO Noah Webster, it is a quiet as
sent; silent submission, or submission
with apparent content. Comment here is
unnecessary. But further is there any de-
claration in this resolution that this law
shall be maintained invioable, and that il
shall remain unimpaired on the statute book
forever, and that it shall be kept free from
tarnish by the attempts of the abolition
\ party? The article reads. I'VE will MAIN
+ tain the same, and insist on its strict en-
forcement until time and experience shall
4 demonstrate the necessity Of future legisla-
tion to guard against evasion or abuse, but
impa'ring It's present efficiency" What
evasion and abuse can here be meant to
be guarded against! Evasion and abuse
by the North and the South Is the law
not perfect? Has il not been tried and
aound efficient against the evasion and
abuse" Of the Abolition opposition! Why
taen. the necessity Of inserting this saving
cause as TO "time and experience" and
<nen to add Immediately thereafter. but
nor impairing It's present efficiency? Ifthe
saw is at present sound and efficient, where
= the necessity Of any afuture legislation
10 regard to it. and why weaken II by throw.
ing Out doubts. suspicious. and vague i'm
IMPRESSIONS as TO its constituucnality."