Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-29

And, besides, it is obvious to the most superf
cIal observer, that spirit has gore forth in some
| oil the States of the Union, which, were il moi
checked by sound public opinion, might produce
| the most dangerous consequences. The right o.
property is called in question: and the secnritic.
| that protect it, sacred as any which any where
| guard the social political SYSTEM are derided
| and disavowed, and doctrines are inculcpteJ ut
terly incompatible with the existence of the I'm
| ion itself, or with peace among its members.
should God in his wrath separate them into indie
pendent communities. 1t becomes every one who
loves his country and who desires that It's future
should be glorious and not disastrous, to discount
tenance these efforts, and to maintain, in their in
tegrty, the true principles of the Constitution
hrm determination to do this, and not to Weld
to this dangerous spirit, would soon render harm
less; Tor am perfectly convinced that the great
body OF our fellow citizens In the nen-slaveholdinq
States consider the rights of our Southern broth
ren as sacred and inviolabe as their own.
w 18th repect to Withholding the Executive ap-
proval from bill modifying or changing this law,
80 us to impair its valuable enactments,' | have
to remark, that there are various constitutional
guarantees of the highest importance to the peo-
pie OF the United States, and without which this
government would never have been established.
which depend for their efficacy upon CONGRESS
barren declarations. Among these, is the right
OF trial by jury, and the benefit of the writ of ha-
beas corpus-both of which would be dead stinu.
lations if not Brought into life by legislative ac-
ton, and by the powers it confers upon the Judi
clary. And among them. aso is the obligation to
surrender lugitives from labor, which furnished
strong Inducement to many of the States to adopt
the Constitution, and without which, and a firm
belief in its faithful execution, they .would not
bA foJo t.
talnly the constitutional duty of Congress to pass
efficient laws upon these subjects, and having
passed then 1t is equally their duty not to repeal
nor SO modify any OF them to leave the consti-
tutional obligations wholly unexecuted or so exc
cuted as to fulfil neither the dictates of duty, nor
OF good falth nor the expectations of that large
portion OF the American people, much of whose
properly depends Tor Its value upon the faithful
observance OF one of these guarantees
From circumstances arising, subsequent 70 the
passage OF the original law for the re-capture of
fugitive slaves, that law became, in effect inope
ratlve, leaving stipulation of the Constitution
vitality important to one-half of the States of the
Union almost as useless as if it had no place in
that great charter of the government
A short extract from some observations made in |
the Senate on the 18th of March, 1850, urging |
the necessity OF the immediate passage of more |
efficient fugitive slave law, will show that the |
urged by me the motives for legislative action. |
my own opinion Is, that we should take up |
the bill for the re-capture of fugitive slaves repor-
ted by the Judiciary committee
~ am disposed to suspend all our discussions,
and to lay aside all other business with a view to
act upon that bill, without unnecessary delay, and
to pass 1t, IN such form may be acceptable to q
majority of this body. That is the point upon
which the South feels most acutely, and in re-
n hoS tho r
complaint. have heard but one man in this bo
dy deny the existence of this evil, OF the JUS
tlce and necessity of providing an adequate rem
Il, for one, am willing to take up the subject,
and provide the necessary means forcarryng the
provision of the Constitution into full effect
Such procedure would have the very best eff
feet upon the South at this time. 1t would be- n
pledge OF our sincerity and of our desire to do
justice to that great section of our common conn
try"
A conviction OF the Justice of this state of /
things, and OF the justice of the demand for an eff
hclent modification of the law led to the provisions
now engrafted upon the original statute and which
together provide adequate means for carrying into
effect the constitutional obligation. 1t is my
opinion that laws OF this nature present peculiar
ly grave considerations and their efficacy cannot
be impaired without the neglect of undeniable
constitutional duties Essential to the fulilment
OF fundamental guarantees, they in effect consti-
tute portion of them, and so partake of constu-
tonal character as to be guarded against repeal or
any modification, by which the faithful execution
OF these important stipulations might be impeded
OR prevented.
And in conformity with these sentiments l
have voted to lay upon the table, or in other words,
not to consider, the petitions presented at the
present session. asking for changes in the fugitive
slave law. Twas determined, torone, not to touch
the Law, and to prevent, if possible, the renewal
of the agitation
Applying the principles here advanced to the
law in question, and especially having reference
to the condition of the country and to the crisis,
through which it has passed, have nohesitaton
in saying, that, whoever is President, it would be
his duty to withhold his approval from any bill, so
modifying or changing that law, ''as to impair it's
present valuable enactments, which give to it the
necessary efficiency. am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant, LEWIS CAss.
Ro. G. ScorT, Esq. Richmond Va.
Letter from James Buchanan, Esq,
kuTA r