The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-05
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.

In Senate, ON Tuesday, the 9th ultimo Mr.
Sumner offered the following resolution, and
gave notice that he intended to call it up as
early as possible.
R@Jirtd. That the Committee on the Judi
ciary be requested to consider the expediency
Of reporting bill for the immediate repeal of
the act Of Congress approved September Is
1850. usually known as the 4" Fugitive Slave
Act"
On Wednesday, July 2Sth, Mr. Sumner callel
up the above resolution. He said:
now ask permission of the Senate to take
up the resolution which offered Yesterday. |
move that the prior orders be postponed for
that purpose and upon that motion desire
to say a word In asking the Senate to take
up this resolution for consideration say moth
ing its merits nor of the arguments by
which it may be maintained nor do antc-
pate any objections to it on these grounds All
this will properly belong to the discussion of
the resolution itself-the main question-when
it is actually before the Senate. The single
question now is, not the resolution, but whether
! shall be heard upon it, As senator, under
the responsibilities of my position, have deem
ed it my duty to offer this resolution | may
Sttll w iliN' DbNlp'llcu NulN lp du lhCtil-
venient period of the session but had At
tempted it at an earlier day might have ex-
posed myself to charge of different charac-
ter. 1t might then have been said that "A new
conner and inexperienced in this scene, without
deliberation. hastily rashly, recklessly, push
ed this question before the country This is
not the case now have taken time, and in
the exercise Of my most careful discretion now
,.l . al e H.
shrink from any appeal founded on a trivial
personal consideration but should be blamed
for any delay latterly, may add, that though
in my seat daily, my bodily health for some
time past down to this very week, has not
been equal to the service | have undertaken
| am not sure that it is now but desire to
try, And now again | say, the question is
simply whether shall be heard In allowing
me this privilcge-this right might say-you
do not commit yourselves in any way to the
principle of the resolution hut YOU merely
follow the ordinary usage of the Senate, and
yield to u brother Senator the opportunity
which he Graves, il the practical discharge of
his duty, to express convictions dear to his
heart and dear to large numbers of his con
stitucnts. For the sake of these constituents,
for my own sake, now desire to be heard
Make such disposition of my resolution after
ward ~ to you shall seem best Visit upon
me any degree Of criticism, censurc, or dis.
pleasure, but do not deprive me of n hearing
Strike, but hear"
Mr. Mason. 1t s the right of any Senator
to introduce into this body any subject which
in his Judgment is proper for legislation
There il n correlative right on the part of the
Senate to consider it or not, rs they may think
/ \ Il. n :. l.
ton OF this resolution at this time not from
any discourtesy to the Senator who introduced
it not from any objection, at a proper time
to consider the question involved in II resolu
ton which any Senator upon his responsibility
thinks proper to introduce. But object to it
because it is manifest that at this time of the
session the Senate can give it no further con
sideration than to hear the remarks that may
be made upon it 10y the Senator who intro.
duced it, 1t is not then, introduced for any
practical object, and because of its disturbing
character. because whenever it does come be
fore the Senate it comes in the form of a fire
brand. say that until the Senate is prepared
to consider it and to pass upon it, object t.
its consideration. Upon the question of taking
up the resolution, ask the yeas and nays
The yeas and nays were ordered
Nii' 'i''hN Nnib i'idtc luO
declared THAT the repeal or essential modf
cation of the Fugitive Slave Law shall be re-
I garded by them rs sufficient cause for the dis
solution of the Union This. sir. was no idle
threat. Ii was threat that believe, that
know, will be carried into execution. with the
full concurrence of the whole South. whenever
that act is done. Then sir, can regard this
proposition ~ no less one than to instruct
. / tina tpn III, LII; l. :
bill 10 dissolve this Union Courtesy or nc
courtesy cannot consent that such question
shall be mooted ut this late day of the ses
sion
lie moved to lay the resolution on the table
but withdrew the motion at the suggestion O.
Mr. Charlton who declared that the effect o
the resolution, if adopted, would be to rene
the Union.
81 say, sir, to rend in pieces this Union
Tor, SIR, the State of Georgia stands pledged
the moment this Fugitive Slave Law is repeal
cd, come what will, come what may, at one,
to absolve herself from any ties which she owe
to 1t and having thrown down that gauntlet
neither nor any one OF my constituents vii
be willing TO recedc from it,
He defined his position and said he shout,
vote against the resolution.
MIR. Shields said he should vote against TIN
resolution but he was in favor Of Mr. Sumne
being heard, He said
have sat in this body, and | have lstene,
to treason spoken here by honorable Senators
and yet We have listened patiently asl
honorable Senator's from the South to con