Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-26

peced much of that fraternity and concord
of which have heard much than have yet witnessed
in the Convention, and much less of that sectional dvi
sion, which appears to be too apparent and which
deeply regret to Born and reared amidst what
party calls the blessing and what another party
calls the Course of slavery and yet resident of
slavehoding State, my position has been one in which
could contemplate the question which is disturbing
without prejudice hoping that it would be regarded
with forbearance the hand and with calm deibera
ton the other The consequence of this position Of
mine has been that have seemed to differ from every
body. My Northern allies seem to think that am not
favorable to their general views while the opposite
side find the Vrginians, members of that old grand
mother State Of mne and the of its neghbor Ken
tucky endeavorng to arrive opposite results from the
same motives and reasons. ~
Now, gentlemen you will see that although have no
reputation abroad and but little at home st have the
right which is precious to me- and which imposes upon
me the belief thAt oseaA - Sp1GA ~ as vAy X
~ soneta6ss sppsps n hsl4 a This
not merely from personal ccnsidsrstons, but because
firmly believe that the motives and which
influence might influence from all sections Of the
sideration. assume gentlemen that whatever may be
done here will not smother argument elsewhere and if
no other good should from these Of mine
they will perhaps prepare you to meet future difficulties
therefore begin by saying that opposed to this
platform-manfuly and openly opposed to itexpecting
as have already intimated, that such opposition may
give offence both the extreme North and the extreme
South But the other hand, am satisfied that i'm
partial from all sections will approve my for
this opposition.
In the first place. in regard to this compromise must
be allowed to say that regard it mere lava law
that has the form of statutory enactment and which
is nothing more nor less than bare naked statutory
enactment. / know that the gentleman whom honor
above all your candidates. has long acted upon the idea
that mysterious influence would be given to this law by
attaching to it this of compromise and that it
should have higher influence than a statutory
enactment But, although have differed with him
in politics, must say that the very first act which he
dignfed with that nothing less than
act to regulate imposts and duties. And, sir of
efficacy force is this act which has been dgnifed
with the of Compromise and which it is sought
to make " fnality." 3
Then gentlemen as respects the aboonsts- the
gentleman from Massachusetts, r CHoArE) can hate an
abotonist that do he must have most malignant
ment of the fact when they aege that it is unphilo
sophical and antirepubcan bolster up and sustain
legislation whatever may be its character by indirect
moral and influences such this 1t not very
complimentary to future wisdom to that law is
perfect that it cannot be amended. But, besides
that this fugitive slave law has, above all other laws that
were enacted, to contend against stronger and
more virulent opposition than any law that was ever
placed upon your statute book Gentlemen will then ask
DO you oppes. ..has lAxs" i ansvsr Nal am is
favor Of my only objection to II Is that it 10 not strong
enough take off all the fugitive slaves and all the abo-
itonsts into the bargain" Cheers And yet perhaps
my friends that would be too hard for would not give
the slaves of the South such askmasters ucre would
make those who are most clamorous for their eman-
cipation.
am strongly inclined to the belief that those intei-
gent gentlemen of the South have been imposed upon
regard their present position 1t has been sought
take this law from the statute book where it ought
have its just and true force and to into political
question; and that ground is my opposition it.
opposition which is ceaseess and undying 1t is
of tyranny and said by the Senator from Georgia.
Mr. DAwsoS,) tyranny may readily appertan to the
democracy Of republic as to crowned head If this
law is be observed and carried into efficient operation
ought not to be left without extrnsc and additional
odium? No Southern needs to be told that it is
sonant with human sympathy to listen the cry Of dis
tress and that the heart naturally feels ardent longing
to aid the fugitive as animal In this state Of
things if the South desires the restoration Of fugitive
slaves what ought they to do 1t that they
ought not to desire to load down the law with additional
odum and thus throw further obstacles in the way of its
execution. The Northern men who oppose this law
class not much opposed TO it perhaps on principle
that they have felt wounded the encroachments of
the South section. The consequence has been that
have been reduced in numbers as Wings by
and hundreds Wehave been the Northern or free States
stgmatized and charged with being dough faces" AS
for myself have been ashamed of that appeation
although at home they do call me the original white
Charley"
We have said that this is law which is sustained by
the Constitution and that will stand by the Consttu-
ton. Cheers But now having triumphed and properly
trumphed in the passage of this law as law and having
executed and properly executed every where do you
propose to act like the boys in Kentucky, to make
original issue by putting chip on your neighbors head
and then daring each other knock it off Iprofess
myself to be advocate Of this law was in favor of
the omnibus" with all its passengers and the wheels
into the bargain but by agtang this question you will
split party, increase the number Of our enemies
and bring upon that very agitation which it is sought
here to prevent and which is much to be deplored
have one other reason to assign; and AZ / frank,
and do not wish any thing which ought to say,
will state it, although perhaps at some hazard be-
eve that this platform got up the of keep
ing up the agitation Of which this platform mere pre-
text TO end If that manand feel justified in al
udinp IN him and blo