Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1852-07-01
n I NJ BE R 10.

nor so modify any of them as to leave
the constitutional obligations wholly
unexecuted, or so executed as to fulfill
neither the dictates of duty nor of
good faith, nor the just expectations of
that large portion of the American
people much of whose property de-
pends for It's value upon the faithful
observance of one of these guaran-
tees.
From circumstances arising subse-
quent to the passage of the original
law for the recapture of offugItive slaves,
that law became in effect imperative,
leaving a stipulation of the constitution,
vitality important 10 one-half of the
Union, almost as useless as if il had
had no place in that great charter of
the government.
! A short extract from some observa-
tons made in the Senate on the 18th
of March, 1850, Urging the necessity
Of the immediate passage of more
efficient fugitive slave law, will show
that the opinions here advanced were
then avowed and urged by me as the
motives for legislative action:
"My own opinion is, that we should
take up the bill for the recapture of
fugitive slaves, reported by the Judi
ciary Committee.
81 am disposed to suspend all our
discussions, and to lay aside all other
business, with view 10 act upon that
bill without unnecessary delay, and to
pass it in such form as may be accep-
table to majority of this body. That
is the point upon which the S outh feels
most acutely, and in regard TO which
! it has the most serious cause of COM
plant. | have heard but one man in
this body deny the existence of this
evil, or the justice and necessity of
providing an adequate remedy. = :
81. for one, am willing to take up
the subject; and provide the necessa-
ry means for carrying the provision Of
4 the constitution into full effect. Such
a procedure would have the very best
effect upon the South at this time
1t would be pledge of our sincerity,
and Of our desire to do justice to that
greatsection Of our common country"
A conviction of the injustice of this
state of things, and of the justice OF
the demand for an efficient modifca-
ton of the law, led to the provisions
now ingrafted upon the original stat
ute, and which together provide ade-
quate means for carrying into effect
the constitutional obligation. 1t is
my opinion that laws of this nature
present peculiarly grave considerations
and that their efficacy cannot be i'm.
, paired without the neglect of undenia-
BILE constitutional duties. Essential 10
the fulfllment of fundamental guaran-
tees, they in effect constitute portion
of them, and SO far partake of a con.
stitutional character as 10 be guarded
against repeal, or any modification by
which the faithful execution of these
, important stipulations might be impe-
ded or prevented.
And in conformity with these senti.
ments, have voted to lay upon the ia.
, BILE, or, 10 other woIds, not to consid.
, er, the petitions presented at the pres.
, ent session asking for changes in the
/ fugitive-slave law. | was determined
, for one, not to touch the law, and to
2 prevent, if possible, the renewal of the
e agitation.
, Applying the principles here ad
vanced to the law in question, and es
e pecially having reference to the condi
ton of the country and to the crisi
5 through which it has passed, hav'
no hesitation in saying that, whoe-e1
I is President, it would be his duty t.
). withhold his approval from any bill 81
5 modifying or changing that law "as t.
5 impair its present valuable enact
h ments," which give to it the necessary
i efficiency.
/ ] ams SIR, very respectfully, you
" ob't ser'yt,
. LEWIS CASS.
81 RoBr. G. ScorT, esq.,, Richmond Va