Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-07-29
Gen. Pierce and the Fugitive Slave Law.

Gen. Pierce and the Fugitive Slave Law.
The Washington Republic quotes from
the "Indcpendent Democrat" paper pub
lished at Concord, New Hampshire, all ac
count of speech delivered by Gen. Frank
lin Pierce, at New Boston Centre, New
Hampshire, on the ID of January last, the
following, which is Il part of political histo-
of men and the times cannot be omit
ted.
CATER this he commenced speaking on
the Fugitive Slave Law. He said that it
differed in no important particular from the
law of 1893. A clergyman who was pres
cnt said that, US the invitation had been Civ
en-, he would like to make an inquiry: DO
YOU regard the features Of the Fugitlv Slave
Law as consistent with common aw|
Gen. Pierce Immediately replied: "If
must answer the question, | say do not.
have been asked il like this Fugitive
Slave Law. answered no; loathcd it.
| have most revolving feeling at the giving
up Of a slave; the law is opposedto humani-
ty.
"Hcre Mr.. Foss inquired 'ir it was not
opposed to right as well as humanity"
"Gen. Pierce replied-'Yes, it is opposed
TO moral right
The above is the substance Of Gen. Pierce 5
remarks upon the Fugitive Slave law
The quotation marks include the very Ian
guagc used by the General, as taken down
at the time it was uttered
A quotation is also given from the Man
chester II. II. Democrat, Of January 8, 1852,
in which the following statement in relation
, to the same speech, is published;
The speaker now took up the subject Of
| slavery. He said it was the greatest trou-
bic to the country, and was so regarded by
Washington. As for himself, he 'never
saw human being in bondage without feel
: ing his heart revolt at it. Slavery is con-
trary to the constitution IN some respects
a moral blot upon the character Oft the nation
Q But it can't be helped.
| He repeated what Mr.. Aver had stated
before, ''that the present Fugitive Slave law
T about which so much noise is made, aCd'
, not particularly different from the lar O
1893, under which he had lived nearly sixty
c years"
Here Mr.. Foss said, that without inter.
! rupting the speaker, he wished TO make ar
- inquiry: eff in no particular different, why
y was it necessary to pass the present law"
| Gen. P. replied that the old law could no
be executed because its execution depended
! on the State Courts. He also said something
which was not fully understood about the
law ofl793, as based partly on the common
law.
He was then asked, ''Was either the law
Of '93; or the present law, founded in any
degree upon the common law?"
Gen. Pjcrcc.-''I can't 90 into a disqui
= siton upon the common law?'
The inquiry was then made, do you re
gard the feature of the Fugitive Slave Law
as consistent with common law"
. Gen. Piercc.-'Well, if | must answer
No, do not. have been asked if liket
Fugitive Slave law. | answered, 10.
have the most revolving feeling at the givin;
up slave; the Fugitive Slave Law is op
5 posed to humanity. Here some one inquir
c ed, SIS it not opposed to moral right -
c Yes it is opposed TO moral right. But on
: fathers made the compact and we must ful
II II fill it. Say nothing of the humanity of ii
nothing OF the right ofit.'
: This account, if correct. Fplaces Gen
c Perce's position with regard to Sohher
: grounds, little different from what it ha
been represented to be, by many of hi
e Southern friends. 1t is proper to add, how
ever, that in the same speech, he spoke il
: favor of maintaining the Compromise, inclu
> ding the Fugitive Slave law, and of the dan
ger to the Union that would ensue if tn,
l law was resisted.