The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-24
WHAT Is MEANT BY FINAIlTY.'

The following resolution was adopted by the
late National Democratic Convention
That the Democratic Party of the Union.
standing upon their national platform, will
abide by, and adhere to Il faithful execution of,
the acts known as the Compromise measures
settled by the last Congress-the act for the
retaining of fugitives from service or labor
included-which act being designed to carry
out an express provision of the Constitution
cannot with fidelity thereto be repealed or so
changed as to destroy or impair its efficiency"
The Southern Wings in caucus assembled at
Baltimore, on the eve of the meeting of the
late National Wing Convention agreed upon
"a platform which was ordered to be sub
mtted to the Convention with an earnest re-
quest that it be adopted 1t contained the fol-
lowing resolution in relation to the Compro-
mise, which, AZ finally adopted by the Ma
tional Convention, stood as follows;
That the series of acts of the 3lst Con
gress, the act known as the Fugitive Slave Law
included are received and acqusced in by the
Wing party of the United States ~ a final set
Element, in principle and substance, of the dan
gcrous and exciting questions which they en-
brace; and so far as they are concerned, we
will maintain them, and insist upon their strict
enforcement, until time and experience shall
demonstrate the necessity of further legislation,
to guard against the evasion of the laws on
! the one hand and the abuse Of their powers
on the other--not imparing their present
efficiency and we deprecatc all further agita-
ton of the questions thus settled ny dangerous
| TO our peace and will discountenancea all efforts
to continue or renew such agitation wheherer
whcrever, or houercr the attempt may be
made and we will maintain this system ms
essential 10 The HdiioHdIty Of the Wing party
and the integrity Of the Union'
The resolutions agree in regard to the Flu
gitive Law. Both contain pledge to it's
faithful execution = or what is the same
thing it's "strict enforcement Neither ex-
cludes amendment; both admit of the posi-
bility of amendments, provided they do not
impair the efficiency of the Law Neither
asserts the principle of fnaIity as it respects
the law consequently, it is not regarded as a
" final settlement of the question of the rem
dition of fugitive slaves The question is clear
ly left open, and the Wing resolutions contem-
plate two ways in which it might be lcgiti-
matelv renewcd-in one. for the purpose of
amending the Law, SO rs to prevent evasion, in
the other, of 50 amending it as to correct
abuse. The opponents and supporters of the
law are left equally ut liberty to agitate this
: subject
As it respects the Compromise measures
/ mot including the Fugitive Law) the resolu
/ tons substantially agree Neither expresses
! any opinion concerning their merits botl
! pledge acqucscence in them. One resov,
! pledges the Democratic party to abide by, anC
/ adhere to faithful execution Of" that series
( of acts, the other declares that they are re
ceved and acquesced in 10y the Wing party o
the United States rs a settlement, in principle
and substance, of the dangerous and cxcitin,
questions which they embrace All that thi
declaration means finds its entire equivalent il
the brief phrase of the Democratic resolve 81
abide by
Let us look into the operation of the pledge
assumed by these resolutions
As we have SEEN the principle of iinality
not recognised in relation to the Fugitive Law
The policy Of the Slavcholding Interest re
CURED that it should be left open to modtca
ton, the Legislature of Maryland being tn
first Legislative body to propose an amendment
with view to increase its efficacy
Nor do they recognise the Compromise net
rs II final settlement of all questions of Sla
very nothing is said or implied ON this pon
They are regarded simply as settlement Q
the questions rh'eh they embraced. As suct
the Democratic Convention resolved to db,d
bv" them, and the Wing Convention, 10 yeceir
and Gcquiesce M them.
What were the questions embraced in them
As it regards California, they were,
First Shall it be admitted into the Uno
rs n sovereign State Notwithstanding the II
regularity attending its organization, and tn
adoption of constitutional clause inhlbitin
, Slavery Secondly Shall it be divided, so a
to admit the northern half Of it as non-slave
} holding State, and provide for the .organiza
ton Of Il Territorial Government in the south
ern half without any clause excluding Sla
very
Ii is matter Of record that the main efior