Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-06-03

! And, on another occasion, when fatal oc.
currence. growing out oil the attempted en-
forcement ofthis same law in Pennsylvania,
the Executive attempted to engratt upon
our system of jurisprudence the law of con-
structive treason-a more dangerous stretch
of power than has ever before been attempt.
ed since the formation Of this government.
Do gentlemen see no danger in all this
And especially do Democrats who are jeal-
GUS of the power of the Executive see no
danger to our republican institutions in
these acts? What is now done under this
law to aid and support shareholders by the
present Executive may establish precedent
BY virtue Of which some other not quite SO
friendly may WELD this new power against
the rights of the States. Thanks to an in
teIigent and patriotic jury, the Executive
and his subordnates were foiled in their
purpose, and we have not yet to record this
principle upon our system of jurisprudence.
But, Mr.. Chairman, promised to show
that this Fugitive Slave Law was purely Of
Wing origin. These Compromises grew
out of Mr.. Clay's eight resolutions, which
he introduced without consultation with any
one and who will say that Mr.. Clay was
anything but Wing 2 have great respect
for the old gentleman; | give him all credit
for purity of motive; still it is known that,
when these resolutions were first introduced
they we're opposed by Mr.. Foote, and other
gentlemen, most violently. They were car
ried along, however, until the current
changed. Then Mr.. Foote advocated them,
and m9s m9 sf,t shs aPPqipt@ a2 vo Of
at the head Of that committee, and drew up
the compromise resolutions and the report.
When that report, with the resolutions, was
published, General Taylor, who said good
many comical things, and once, at Buena
Vista, did comical one, said "away with
your omnibus bills; will set my face as a
flint against the whole of them" Then
there was trouble. | well remember the ex-
preston on the faces of some parties when
Daniel Webster whispered in the ear OF
Henry Clay that the old man was dying -
| need not, however, state what it was.
Mr.. WHIrE, of Alabama. | desire that
the gentleman will inform US what indica-
tons he saw the face Of Daniel Webster,
at the time to which he alludes.
/ Mr.. CLEAvLAND. | will tell the gentle
man. 1t did not look much like attending
a funeral Laughter l do not complain
of this do not say there was even any
thing remarkable, or improper, in it.
merely state what saw; and when Daniel
Webster delivered his euIogy upon the Cen
erals life and Character, he said in substance,
that if the country was saved, even by the
death of such man ps Zachary Taylor,
we might well rejoice. The gentleman can
read the book, and1 will send him one il
he has not seen it, He can there Judge for
himself whether have ms-stated the idea
conveyed.
Why, Mr.. Chairman, at that time there
was no more chance of the passage Of this
omnibus bill, or the Fugitive Slave Law,
than that you, Mr. Chairman, or the next
best man, will be translated to Heaven for
holiness Great laughter.
BIT Mr.. Clay, rs have shown, had con,
ceived the plan Mr.. Webster, for reasons
best knowa to himself, had made his 18th OF
March speech, General Taylor died, and
Mr.. Fillmore took command Of the ship oil
State, discharged the old and shipped d
new crew, with Mr.. Webster as first officer
hoisted the Compromise flag, and started on
his SoutherB cruise. What matiTe govern
ed Mr. ee la this sQti66a ssi,ss,ef 'ha
/ VAS f}ove y slavery and power, or hatred al
his rival Governor Seward, am not able 10
say; and l believe the country is equally
unenIightened on This subject. Gen. Scott
was by Mr. Fillmore placed temporarily at
the head Of the War Department, and in
that position, coupled with his great militia
ny fame, was able TO, and did, exert a pow
fuI influence in favor of these Compromise
measures. Here, then, is every man whose
name has been mentioned, or is likely TO be
mentioned, as candidate for the Presiden-
cy en- the Wing side, viz; Clay, Webster,
Fillmore, and Scott, all exerting themselves
to the utmost in pushing through this series
of measures, the Slave Law included And
what was the position of these distinguished
Wings! One was at the head of the Gov
eminent anotberin command of the army
and the other two, Tone living in a slave,
the other in free State, the most disti;.
guished men OF their party, and perhaps OF
| the nation Now, let US see what Demo-
Gratis, who are al all prominent, aided those
Wings in the Slave Bill. Two only were
active, and exerted any considerable inAu-
ence-Goverpor Foote, in the Senate, and
Speaker Cobb, in the House. And what
became of them? Both threw themselves
into the arms of the Wings, in their respect
i've States, and both are now Governors of
those States by virtue Of Wing votes, and
both have been here this winter, exerting
themselves to obtain the passage of these
resolutions affirming the Compromise, to
relieve them from their present dilemma
Did the distinguished Senator from Illinois
vote for this Slave Law! No. Why! Be-
cause a Democratic Legislature instructed
him otherwise. Governor Cass, one of the
most distinguished men of the nation and Of
his party, did not record his vote in favor of
this Federal bantIing. Nor, in fact, did any
Democrat, whose position was one OF mark
except these %laE.fseSe since formed Goa
lition with the Wings. In view of these facts,
who will say that this Fugitive Slave Law
was not of Wing, or Federal, origin.
When Mr., Fillmore got into the White
House, the first business was to pacfy the
country. There had been great deal o. re-
mark because the House did not elect a
Speaker for the first three weeks of the
session; and the prevalent impression seem
ed to be, that the Free-Soilers were about
to overturn the world, because they were in
favor of keeping the territory which you
had acquired from Mexico, just as Mexico
had made it, and as God had intended it,
tree d! The Constitution was to be over.
turned, because we did not give one-half of
| that territory in which to establish slavery