Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-28
LETTER FROM GEN. JOSEPH LANE.

WASHINGTON MAY III lSoZ.
Rosr G; ScoTT, ESQ
SirIhc letter you did the honor TO address me- OF
the l7th inst, received II my il before people,
for the first Office in their gilt it has been by their action
and mine. neither solicit political prcfcrment nor
shrink from duty have any conceaments but acknow-
ledge the right that have, who would elevate place
Of high trust, 10 know MY political opinions.
You enqure Should you be nominated by the Conven-
ton and elected the Presidency by the people, in your
administration Of the government will you sustain and,
by any means Wlln your power enforce and have
ted in all their paris the various of Congress- cons-
tuting what is known as the compromise and especially
of tint law relating the recapure BY their
owners OF fugitive sayesn answer unhesiiatinpy Yes
presume you aude 10 the Fugitive Slave Law "eapec.
nlly because it is the only the series to
which there appears be any serious opposition as indeed
II is The only one with single other exception, susceptible
Of atesiion repeal The subject Of the rendition of f
gyc slaves was an o6sace at the period of the formation
OF the Constitution The recognition Of the power to re-
claim them was prerequisite TO the establishment of the
Union, and was, and s an existing "COmpromisc" embo-
died tho Federal Constitution itself and making Dar,
of it, The laws of 1893 and 1850 but legal enactments
TO carry il into effect You enquire again. "Whettcr should
you be elected Preeden. OF the United States you would
by every proper means all attempts TO dis.
turo change the provisions of that law whereby these
provisions might be made less eecua for securing 10 the
people of the South their constitutional rights in the pos
session and enjoyment of their slave property; and should
bill be passed by Congress- modifying or
changing the law referred To- impair its present vau-
able cnactmens would you President of the RepubIjc
veto any such bill'
Without entering into the enquiry making the asser-
ion yet II is possible that of the details OF the fup
tive slave law are detective even 10 carry the intention
OF lis friends but because il important feature in
compromise and now The only part OF practical character
that susceptible of modification repeal and above ALL
because would depecate and depIore renewal of aoita
ton upon that dangerous question: would feel nv duty
resist all attempts reopen that subject of legislation
and it. as President of the United STATES bill SHOULD u
fortunately be passed by Congress- modifying or changing
The law referred impair its present valuable en-
" actmenn," should promptly veto it.
In conclusion, allow me TO add however that my oppos
ton tonereence executive or legislative The part the
Federal Government concerning the institution of slavery
further than 10 carry out the compromises of the Constt
ton that subject did not with either the con
cepon or passage OF the measures embraced in The Com
PROMISE which you aude but is general in It's character
and Of date coeYn with my earliest entrance into public
e not short one) the journals of the Legislature
of Indiana will testify The of the last three years
but tended to pen into settled conviction an opinion
long entertained that il the subject of slavery Is allowed TO
The Halls OF Congress- and form element the Re