The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-17

u
lions of dollars was made, there was no altera-
tive left her but to take the money and partition
off her territory, or encounter the military force
ofthe United States, which the President said be
would send against her if she undertook to ex-
ercise her jurisdiction within what she claimed,
and the government had recognized, as her own
limit, but which he said was within the limits
OF New Mexico. This, we said, was an inva-
sion OF State rights. Our complaint was not
altogether that the territory was purchased, or
that Texas accepted the proposition. Texas
had no other alternative. II may have been
good arrangement for her. Our objection was
that an invasion Of State rights was committed
by that act.
AS to the bill aboshing the slave trade in the
District of Columbia we had this objection to
| it: We SAVIOR least we believed we saw
that there were two great objects on the part Of
the Ant-Slavery party in the country, and on
the part of their representation in Congress, in
connection with these compromise measures.
One was, to exclude the South from the terri
tories, thereby limiting the of slavery, as
ultimately to overthrow the institution, as every
body knows it must become ultimately extin-.
guished, il il is confined within certain limits,
and If it has no outlet. That was one great OBJ
ject which we thought the Anti Slavery party
had in view. The other object was, to assert
the power of Congress to abolish slavery itself,
especially in places where Congress has jurisdic-
ton over the territory in which slavery exists
| The bill 70 the abolition of the slave trade in
this District does actually assert the power Of
Congress to abolish slavery in this District, be-
cause it declares that if the owner brings his
slave here for sale, or places him in depot here
to be transported elsewhere for sale, the slave
shall thereupon become liberated and Free Il
yielded the principle, as we supposed, to which
we were averse, that Congress could exercise
the power to abolish slavery, under any circunl
stances, anywhere, because if they did it in one
case, it might and would be used as a precedent
in another. As this institution was interviewer
with our existence, and as our whole safety de-
pended upon our own action in reference TO il,
we were opposed to this act Of Congress, or any
act of Congress liberating slaves, under any cir
cumstances.
have but.a few remarks to make in refer
ence to the fugitive slave law-and they COM
plete what | have to say of the measures Of
compromise. We have aclear right, under the
Constitution, to the recapturc of our fugitive
slaves, which right is to be exercised either
through the agency of the federal government,
or through the agency of the States. know
there is a difference of opinion as to the power
of the federal government and of the State gov
ernments over this subject. 1t is not necessary
to 60 into an argument on that point. All that
is necessary to be said is, that we have right,
either through one agency or the other. to have
our fugitive slaves returned. The Supreme
Court, which is the tribunal to which We refer
all questions over which it has jurisdiction, as
the final arbiter, has decided that it is consti-
tutional to have slaves recaptured under law
requiring the agency of the federal government
to execute it. So long as that law remains, we
are bound to be governed by it. We had fright
to the best law which could be passed, TO enable
us to secure our fugitive slaves and those of US,
who understand our constitutional rights, at the
South, have never considered for the first mo-
ment. and have never intended that II should be
considered, that we permitted that right to enter
in any degree into the merits of the compromise
measures, because ii was a constitutional right
which could not be compromised. Therefore,
although it is stated to be the great compensa-
ting advantage which the South has received for
all the wrongs which have been done her by tho
other measures Of compromise, we do not look
at il in that light. We take the fugitive slave
law. simply as law to secure plain constitu-
tional right, which we have, and which we are
entitled to have, under the decision Of the Su-
p-eme Court Of the United States; and we con-
slider that we are entitled to the best law which
can be passed to secure this object. We would
have been satisfied with the law passed under
Washington's Observation-Disclosures old law Of
l796-if the Northern people would have faith
fully executed IL.
] will say further, in reference 10 this law,
that although il was set up by those who advo-
Gated tie compromise measures as the great
compensating advantage 10 the South for the
wrongs which had been done her, we did look 10
the fact the alarming fact, that when il came 10
be- passed, il only received the votes Of three
Northern Senators and oftweniy seven members
ofthe House of Representatives from the North.
This was n startling fact and one calculated 10
make the impression upon the minds Of the
Southern people that Northern Senators and
Representatives did not intend 10 maintain their
constitutional obligations 10 the South on this
question: that they would not give the moral
power Of their. opinion 70 support this law, and
that their constituents would not faithfully OBJ
serve il, when their Representatives would not
do their duty in passing it. We had n right 10
look with alarm at this position Of things. But
there seems now 10 be better state OF feeling
at the North on this subject than had expected.
| do not find at present that there is n DISPOSE.
ton TO disturb I'll. law. II there is such dis.
position, have not seen Il manifested. have
seen by The message OF the governors Of several
States, whose opinions were said formerly 10 be
averse TO this law, that they recommend SCOUT
escence IN il, and that II be abided by. ] am
gsaufed that such is becoming the state Of
things, not with reference 10 the compromise
measures, but with reference 10 plain consti.
tutional right. Knowing that the whole mass
Of the Northern people were opposed to the in.
stitution Of slavery, still had never believed
that the conservative and intelli ent sentiment
OF the great majority Of them when the question
was presented fairly before them, would be
found to place itself in defiance Of constitu-
tional law Of the country, aud endeavor, by
force or fraud. 10 prevent It's execution. have
always hoped better things and trust and be-
lieve a better state Of things is growing mp on
this subject.
Mr.. President, have now gone through with
these measures, as briefly rs ] could, without
going into detail-merey CHANGING at The promi-
nent objections held by the people Of Mississippi,
mainly by the Democratic States Rights party,
which induced their opposition 20 them Having