Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-06-04
EUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
WASHING TON, May Goth


Senate Mr.. Sumner presented memorial
from the Society of Friends, of New England
praying for a repeal e the Fugitive Slave Law.
tie said that the memorial was recommended to
the Senate by the high character of the religious
association from which it emanated-persons
who rarely mlngle with politics, but who, under
thclr auSieFe rules, seek to carry the Christian
virtues into social and civil life
The President reminded the Senator that his
remarks were not now in order, as the memorial
had not been received
MI Sumner had buta very few words 10 ada,
and proposed to move reference of the memoir
al TO the Committee on Judiciary.
The Senator might state the contents of the
memorial, but not 60 at present into discus
sion of its merits.
Mr.. Sumner replied that he did not wish to
discuss the subject, but simply to explain the
contents Of the memorial.
Mr.. Badger. Let the Senator proceed
Mr.. Dawson. Certainly.
Mr.. Sumner resumed-the memorial was like
wise recommended by its earnest and persuasive
tone. In offering at this time, he thought, prop
err to say, on some proper occasion hereafter, he
should deem it his duty to give his views at
length upon Ihe subject. Thus far he had for
borne to speak upon the topic but there was a
time for all things, and justice requires that both
sides should be heard. He believed he did not
eXpecttoo much when Ire expressed the confident
expectation that he should receive the candid at
tention of the Senate, while he essayed to set
FORTH fully and frankly, the views which he en-
tertained, and the convictions to which he was
bound by every sentiment of his heart, and by
every consideration of his duties as a Senator,
and by his love to God and man. When he should
undertake that service, he should say nothing
which in any degree could be called sectional,
unless the Constitution was sectional and the
sentiments OF their fathers were sectional. Ii
was his happiness to believe, and his hope to DO
able to show, that according to the spirit of the
| Constitution, and the true sense of its trainers,
freedom, and not slavery, is NATIONAL while sa-
very and not freedom is sectional In duty to
the petitioners, and in the hope that it would pro-
mote their prayer, he concluded by moving that
the memorial be referred to the Committee on Ju-
dietary.
Mr.. Mangum remarked that it was the set
tied practice of the Senate to move olay the mo-
ton 20 receive papers OF this character upon the
table, bnt he believed this course had been depar-
ted from with regard to the memorials from the
Society of Friends. lie hoped this one would
be received, and motion could afterwards be
made 10 lay it on the table.
! The President. 1t has already been yecei-
/ ed.
Mr.. Hale. Then the rule is, petitions from
the Society of Friends, and from no others are
to be received
! Mr.. Dawson said he hoped the senator from
| Massachusetts, if he desired to reopen this dis
! cussion in the heartfelt, Christian feeling with
which he seemed to be surcharged and overflow
| ing,Would come out boldly now. Let him not con-
ccal his views in clouds-lct him come out with
manlinoss aud openly. If Senators desired TO
throw fire-brands in their midst, let them do it.
! If they have hearts more pure and more Chris
tan like than others, let them pour ont their con-
/ tents. If the discussion was to be re. opened,
this was the day and the hour He was ayerse
to hypocrcy in politics IS well as in religion.
Mr.. Badger was not in such bellicose humor
as his friend from Georgia. The deficiency bill
was to be taken up, and if they should 90 on with
the discussion, they would not be in proper con-
dition TO attend to mere details Of dollars and
cents.
Nh Butler said he agreed with the Senator
from Georgia.
The memorial was then laid on the table by
Yeas 40, Nays 10, as follows:
Yeas-Messrs, Adams, Atkinson, Bidger,
Bell, Bradbury, Bright, Brodhoad Brooke, Cass,
Clemens, Dawson, D3saussure, Dodge Iowa,
Douglas, Downs, Felch, Fish, Foot, Geyer Hun
ter, James Jones, iowa Jones, Tennessee;
King, Mallory, Mangum, Miller, Morton, Norris,
Pearcc, Pratt Rusk Sebastian, Smith Soule,
/ Toucy, Underwood Upham, Weller.
Nays Mcssrs. Borland, Chase. Davis. Dodge,
Wisconsin, Hale, Hamlin, Seward, Sumner,
Wade and Walker.