The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-04

tive Slave law. and to Senators CAss, DoU
GLAs, HoUsToN, KING, and RUsK, who have
recently written letters in favor of maintaining
Houses of Congress generally
The circumstances under which this speech
was made are well known. The Senatorial
term of Mr. WINTHROP was about to close in
few months. His successor was TO be chosen.
Mr.. SUMNER was willing TO become that sue
cessor The Wings were in minority and
they supported the accomplished and estimable
WiNTHRop. The power of making the cleo
ton rested with the Democracy and the Free
sellers To commend himself TO the favor of
the coalition formed between these parties, Mr..
SUMNER made this speech Ii produced the
desired effect. 1t gained them over to his sup
port and Mr.. SUMNER was elected to the Sen
ate of the United States, and is now the daily
companion Of the authors and supporters Of the
'detestable, Heaven deiying BILL" called the
Fugitive Slave law.
But to the extracts:
"And still further as if to do deed which should
| make Heaven weep. all earth amazed this came
Congress, in disregard Of all the cherished safe
guards of freedom, has passed most cruel, I'M
christian devilish law to secure the return into
| slavery of those fortunate bondmen who have
found shelter by our firesdes-ths ia the Fugitive
Slave bill bill which de.pos the party claimed
a slave whether he be in reality slave or free
man, of the sacred trial jury, and commits
the question of human freedom-the highest ques
ton known by the law-to the unaded judgment
of single magistrate, er parte evidence it may
he do, ,pitb tnao pnFr
animation. Under this detestable Heaven defy
ing bill, not the slave only. but the colored free
man of the North, may be swept into ruthless cap
| tivity; and there is mo white citizen born among
us, bred in our schools paraking in affairs,
voting in elections, whose liberty ID not assaulted
also. Without any discrimination Of color, the bill
surrenders all who may be claimed as owing
vice or labor to the same tyrannical judgment.
And mark, once more, It's heathenism
"By unrelenting provisions 1t visits, with bitter
penalties of fine and imprisonment, the faithful
men and women who may render to the fugitive
that countensnce, succor and shelter which chris
tianty expressly requires! Thus, from beginning
to end, it sets at naught the best principles of the
Constitution, and the very laws of God"
"But will not pursue these details. The soul
sickens in the contemplation of this egalized cut.
many acts Of shame-there are ordinances Of mon
archs and laws which have become by-word
and Kissing to the nations. But, tchen zoe con
slder uc country and tf age ask, iear.cssly, what
act OF shame, what ordinance of monarch, what
law can compare in atrocity with this enactment
Of an American Congress! lido not forget Appius
Claudius the tyrant decemvir ofancent Rome con.
demning Virginia slave; nor Louis XIV. of
France, letting slip the dogs orelgious persecution
by the revocation of the edic Of Nantes; Charles
]. of England arousing the patriot rage OF Hamp
den by the extortion Of ship money; the Brit
sh Parliament, provoking, in our own country,
spirits kindred to Hampton, by the tyranny OF
the stamp act and tea tax
81 would not exaggerate; wish TO keep within
bounds; but think person can doubt that the
condemnation affixed to all shese transac.
tons and to their authors, be the lot hereafter
Of the Fugitive Slave bill, and every one accord.
ing TO the measure Of his influence, who gave il
his support Into tue immortal catalogue of ma
tional crimes this has nov passed, drawing with It,.
by an memorable necessity, its authors also and
chiefly him who, as President Of the United States,
set his name to the bill, and breathed into it that
final breath without which it would have no lie
"other Presidents may be forgotten; but the
name signed to the Fugitive Slave bill can never
be forgotten.
There are depths ofinfsmy, as there are heights
Of fame. Iregret to cay what must; but truth
compels me.
Better far for him had he never been born; bet.
ter far for his memory, and for the good name Of
his children, had nc never been President"
And here, sir, let me say that II becomes me TO
speak with peculiar caution. 1t happens to me to
sustain an important relation to this bill. Early in
professional life was designated by the late Mr. |
Justice Story Of the commissioners Of the |
courts Of the United States. and though have not
very often exercised the functions Of this post vet
my name is still upon the lis,s. Az such am ono |
Of those before whom, under the recent act Of Con.
gress, the painting fugitive may be brought for the
decision OF the question, whether be isa freeman or
a ,lave.
" But while il becomes me to spcak with caution |
shall not hesitate 70 speak with pla;nness can |
not forget that ] am man, although am n com.
missoner.
odd the same spirit which inspired the father.
inspire community now. the marshals-and /
every magiiirate who regarded this law az having /
any constitutional obligation-would resign rather |
than presume to execute it. This, however IL too
much to expect from all at present. Bot will not
judge them To their own conscences ! leave 4
them Surely, no person Of humane feelings, and /
with any true scnse Of justice-hving in a land 1
"wherc bells have knoiled to church," whatever
may be the apology Of public staton-could fail TO /
recoil from such service.
"For myself, let me say, that can imagine no |
office, no salary, no consideration, which would /
not gladly forego rather than become in any way /
an agentin enslaving my brother man Where for |
would be comfort and solace after such a work /
"In dreams and in waking hours, in solitude and |
in the street, in the mediauons Of the closet aud
in the affairs Of men, wherever turned, there my /
victim would stare in the face; from the distant
rice felds and sugar plantations of the South hi. |
cries beneath the yndicuve lash, his means at the |
thought Of liberty, once his now, alas, ravished |
from him, would pursue me, repeating the tale Of |
bic fearful doom, and sounding, forever sounding,
in my ears, Thou art the mani"
"Sir will not dishonor this home Of the Pilgrims
and OF the Revolution. by admitung-nay, I oan.
not beiieUe that His bH toH be ertcuied here Indi.
viduals among va, elsewhere, may forget hu-
manity 10 a isncied loyalty to law; bot the public