The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-29
GEN. PIERCE AND THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW

GEN. PIERCE AND THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
The Republic of the 18th inst quotes from
the Independent Democrat, paper published
at Concord, n. H., an account of speech de-
liyered by Gen. Franklin Pierce, at New Bos-
ton Centre, N H., on the I'd of January last
the following which, as part of the political
history of men and the times cannot now be
omitted:
After this he commenced speaking upon the
Fugitive Slave Law. He said that it differed
in no important particular from the law OF
1898. A clergyman who was present said, that
as the invitation had been given, he would like
to make an inquiry: "Do you regard the fea-
lures of the Fugitive Slave Law as consistent
with common law"
Gen Pierce Immediately replied If must
answer the question, | say no. do not. have
been asked if liked this Fugitive Slave Law.
| answered no, loathed it. have most re-
voting feeling at the giving up of a slave; the
law is opposed to humanity"
Here Mr. Foss inquired I" if it WAS not OPP
posed to right as well as humanity" General
Pierce replied eyes, it is opposed to moral
right"
III
remarks upon the Fugitive Slave Law. The
quotation marks include the very language used
by the General, as taken down at the time it
was uttered
A quotation is also given from the Manches-
ter, N. H., Democrat of January 8, 1852, in
which the following statement in relation to
the same speech is published
fba Of 10
very He said it was the greatest trouble of the
country. and was SO regarded by Washington.
As for himself he never saw human being
in bondage without feeling mis- heart revolt at
it. Slavery is contrary to the Constitution in
some respects-a moral blot upon the charac-
ter of the nation But it cant be helped"
He repeated what Mr. Aver had stated be-
fore, "that the present Fugitive Slave Law,
about which so much noise is made, pas an no
particular different from the lar of 1893, under
which we had lived nearly sixty years.
Here Mr.. Foss said, that without interrupt
ing the speaker he wished to make an inquiry:
"If in no particular different, why was it ne
cessary to pass the present law"
Gen p. replied that the old law could not be
executed because its execution depended on the
State Courts He also said something which
was not fully understood about the law of 1898,
as based partly on the common law
He was then asked aWas either the law of
SO or the present law founded in any degree
upon the common law"
Gen Pierce.-"I can't 60 into disquistion
upon the common law"
The inquiry was then made "Do you regard
the feature of the Fugitive Slave Law as con-
sistent with common law ~
Gen. Pierre" Well, if must answer, no,
do not | have been asked if liked this Fugi-
tive Slave Law answered, no have most
revolving feeling at the giving up Of slave;
the Fugitive Slave Law is opposed to humani-
ty. Here some one inquired, Is it not opposed
to right I? Yes it is opposed to moral right
But our fathers made the compact, and we
must fulfil it. say nothing of the humanity
of it, nothing of the right of it."
These accounts, if correct, seem to place
Gen. Pierce in slightly different position with
regard to Southern grounds from what he has
been represented; but a careful examination
will show that the Southern politicians under
stand their man, and that he is fully with them
He does not like the Fugitive Slave Law
he has "a most revolving feeling at the giving
up of a slave the law "is opposed to hu-
mainly Git is opposed to moral right; " but
land here comes the key which governs his
actions) our fathers made the compact and
we must fulfil it. say nothing of the human
ity of it, nothing of the right of it." The law
is opposed to humanity-it outrages moral
right but ii must be executed. What is this
but dethroning Jehovah, exalting a human COM
pact above the great law of love incucated by
the New Testament and placing this despotic
law above any Higher Lava II must not only
be executed but it must not be discussed The
Democratic party pledge themselves to this,
"under whateuer shape or color the attempt
MAY be made" and Gen. Pierce accepts the
nomination on this platform, because the prin-
eipies ii embraces command The appreciation Of
my Judgment and with them believe | can
safely say there has been no pord nor act Of my
life in conflict"
The Southern men know their man. They
are not apt to be deceived, although Northern
men often are. Mr.. FORSYTH, of Georgia q
State Rights or Secession Democrat, claims
Gen. Pierce as "their creation and choice
and the Southern Press says in relation to this
EXPIRE sion:
nr Forsyths expressions were evidently
not 'unguarded, but expressed his deliberate
convictions"
The position Of Gen. Pierce is not equivocal.
He stands upon the Baltimore platform He