The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03

only answer which can assure tine rlgnts ana
neace of the States and the permanency of
their Union--the only answer which Chief
Magistrate, were be about to swear that he
will support the Constitution, could give;
mean sincere, positive, unequivod2, Yes!
1rouhin | give you this answer the more de-
cidedly because il is not the birth OF the mo- |
ment, but conforms with sentiments which 4
have long entertained and openly avowed;
which have no desire to conceal or TO qualify |
ON any occasion or for any purpose and which,
in nv humble but firm judgment, if our noble
and benefcent structure of Government Is to be
preserved, must animate the breasts and regu-
late theconduct of all its functionaries from the
highest to the humblest.
G. M DALLAS.
To Robert G. Scott, Esq
Letter from Thomas J. Rusk, Esq
WASHINGTON May 81, 1882.
In answer to the questions submitted by you,
do not hesitate to say. that think it would
he bad policy to disturb the provisions of the
laws referred to, and extremely dangerous to
the safety Of the Union to repeal, OF even
attempt to repeal, the law relating to the re-
coyery Of fugitive slaves The right to recover
their slave property is plainly guaranteed to the
Southern States by the Constitution, and, being
essential to their existence, can never be aban-
doned by them. The mere agitation of the sla-
worry question has tendency to excite and en-
hitter the feelings Of those who compose our
rational councils, retard opr prosperity as a
nation by creating sectional prejudices and
NAV. fear, if permitted to go on in connection
with our Presidential elections, lead to disso-
lution of the Federal Government ], for one,
shall lose confidence in the stability OF our
Unions from the day upon which the Fugitive
Law shall have been repealed, or rendered IN
efficient by any act Of Congress; and should
regard any President as morally traitor who
would give his approval to any enactment Inn,
nairing any of the provisions of the Federal
Constitution.
think any candid man who is familiar
with the history of the slavery agitation will
at once admit that it is kept up mainly with
view to personal political elevation Dema-
gogues, in view of the fact that the non-slave-
holding States have majority of the voting
population, keep up the agitation for the pur-
pose of producing state of feeling which shall
secure to one section all the Offices and patron
age of the General Government
My opinion is that at the North, as we'll as
at the South, there is q majority of conserva-
tive and patriotic men, who desire to see this
contest terminated, and the constitutional
rights of all parties honestly respected. Many
noble examples of selfsacrifcing patriotism
exhibited themselves at the North during the
struggle which terminated in the enactment OF
the Compromise measures For this adhe-
sion to what they deemed right, these gentle
men have been assaied with fend-like ma
lightly at home, and, regret to say il, have
L. l..
the South | believe the time has arrived
when it is due to the best interests of the coun-
try that men should speak out and wear no
masks. If we are to have peace and protec-
ton to our rights, it is time we should know it,
Every man who aspires to political station
should show his hand boldly. If an honest de-
termination to maintain the Constitution in all
of its provisions against sectional demagogues
who are prompted to action solely by the hope
of political power, is to become disqualifca-
ton for Federal Office, the sooner it is known
the better
The man who has not sense enough to see
that the agitation on the subject of slavery is
rapidly leading to the most dangerous conse-
quences or who, seeing this has not honesty
and courage enough to set his face against it,
at the risk of defeat can never receive my
vote
In conclusion, desire to say that | am not
a candidatS4or the Presidency; the honors are
of doubtful and fleeing characteristic du-
ties and responsibilities beyond my capacity to
meet
Thomas j. RUsK.
Robert G. Scott, Esq.
Letter from Gen. Joseph Lane.
You inquire: "Should you be nominated by
the Convention, and elected to the Presidency
by the people, in your administration of the
Government will you sustain, and by any means
within your power enforce and have executed
in all their parts, the various acts of Congress,
constituting what is known as the Compromise,
and especially the enactments of that law re-
lating to the recapture by their owners of flu
gitive slavesW | answer unhestatingly Yes.
presume you allude to the Fugitive Slave
Law especially because it is now the only
measure of the series to which there appears
to be any serious opposition as indeed it is the
only one, with single other exception, suscep-
tible of alteration or repeal. The subject of
the rendition of fugitive slaves was an obsta-
Gle at the period of the formation of the Con-
stitution. The recognition of the power to re-
claim them was prerequisite to the estab-
lshment Of the Union, and was, and is, an ex-
listing Compromise" embodied into the Fede-
raj Constitution itself, aud making part of
it The laws of 1893 and 1850 are but legal
enactments to carry it into effect You inquire
again: Whether. should you be elected Pres-
dent of the United States you would discount
tenance, by every proper means, oil attempts
to disturb or change the provisions Of that law,
whprphy oh ho MAJ lpes
eHectual for securing to the people of the
South their constitutional rights in the posses
sion and enjoyment of their slave property and
should, unfortunately, bill be passed by Con-
gress modifying or changing the law referred
10, so as TO impair its present valuable enact
ments would you, as President of the Hepub-
lie, veto any such bill?r
Without entering into the inquiry, or making
the assertion, yet it is possible that some OF
the details Of the Fugitive Slave Law are de-.
tective, even to carry out the intention Of its
trends; but because it was an important fea.
tare in compromise and now, the only part
OF practical character, that is susceptible Of
modification or repeal, and, above all becauss
would deprecate and deplore renewal 81
agitation upon TINT dangerous question, would
ieel 1t my duty to resist all attempts to reopen
that subject Of Legislation and il, as President
OF the United States, bill "shonld, unfortu-
nately, be passed by Congress modifying or
! changing the law referred to, 10 ~ to impair
ITS present valuable enactments," should
promptly vetQit
JOSEPH LANE.
Robert G. Scott, Esq.
Letter from s. A. Douglas, Esq