The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-12
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES


Mr.. STRATTON presented the resolutions of IN,
Legislature OF New jersey, cordially approving the
measures adopted during the last Congress known
as the Compromise measures, and saying that ey.
cry part OF our wlde y tended country has occa-
sion TO rejoice in their adoption as a triumph of
constitutional rights over spirt Of wild and dis
organizing fanaticism; that New Jersey will
| ABIDE by and sustain the Compromise measures,
and requesting her Representatives, and instruct
ing her Senators, to resist any change alteration
or repeal; that the Fugitive Slave Law is in accord
ancc wb the stpulaiOns OF the Constitution of the
United Sates, aud IN lite provisions carries out the
spirit and letter Of the Constitution and tho com.
promises on which our Union is founded; and that
they approve OF the patriotic stand taken by the
Executive Of the United States, in declaring his de-
termination TO execute and enforce all laws consti
tutionaly enacted, aud that the people Of New Jer
scy viii sustain him IN 60 doing.
Mr.. ;. moved that the resolutions be laid upon
the table, and printed.
The question va. first taken on the motion 10
lay upon the table, and decided in the affirmative
"a division having been demanded The question
"as then stated on the proposition TO print, when
Mr.. GlDDlNOS said 10 the House and the coun-
Try that be, Tor one, who prOfCsscd TO be a Free
sOilcr on this floor now and at all times ready
10 discuss the question Of the Compromise when II
came before them. This determination on his part
~as ayoWed on the hrst day OF the scssion. lie had
hoped that they would have had the privilege Of
going into committee, for the purpose Of discuss-
ing the Presidents annual message, nd there pre-
rcnung ihcr Ncws on this and every other import.
ant question And here he begged permission 60
say, without dsrcspCct, that IT, instead Of adjourn.
ing for days, they had done this, they would have
proved themselves Statesmen, aud acquired the re-
spcct oi the people and the respect Of themselves
Bui the IDLE time has gone by; they cannot recall
IT. and, when business presses. they find gentlemen
rising and expressing opinions on questions which
shOuld have been discussed months since
The resolutions Of the State Of New jersey were
now before the HOusc; aud what is the position in
which gentlemen are thus placed The people Of
That State, through their Legislature, ayow their
sentiments IN favor Of the Compromise measures,
while the representatives. Of the people in Congress
are n d permitted 10 speak or express their views
and intentions. Similar resolutions have been sent
~ tic other branch, where, from the first dsv of
the session until now, there bas been one continual
scene Of agitation going on, To quiet agitation aud
silence discussion IL was far from hs intention
e. object 10 printing the resolutions of the State of
New Jersey, which u entitled 20 respect; but nc
did Object 60 this iusidiUus nude Of arguing tbi-
question IN the Legislature, and sending the rcsult
here, while the lips Of the representatives of the
people in this Uail closed. lie concurrcd In
thOse resolutions where they speak Of maintain.
ing the Constitution, and be vas The last man
NhD would 20 contrary. Would 10 God repre.
scntaiiycs here would sustain The Constitutions and
10 spying this he would be Understood The
tOngrcsI has nothing 10 do with slavcry IN
the states. Every attempt 81 The Government 10
involve The North in ID ls now. ever has been
and ever will be, violation Of their rights
" Hands Oii-nOn intervention keep your slayery
20 yOurselycs,' D. the motto Of every northern
man. ~ - your business and institution; and
whatever cursc and iniquity, or glory there D. in
n, BELONG 10 the South aud % the North Keep
u 10 yourselves, maintain it, bot do not involve
frCemcn 90 IT, lie would take this occasion to re-.
peat that Ia no case under the Contribution but
one are they authorized 20 lcgslstc upon the sub
Icct; and that D. as 10 the capture Of fugitive
slaves. lie was willing 70 give every thing that
the iramCrs Of the Constitution did Of the time Of
its formation. When he did that he would go no
further Ilc would tell bis southern friends hat II
they would come up to The Constitution, tho North
would stand with them, shoulder TO shoulder, ~
friends ought In the sight Of heaven, tie people
81 ihc Nofth VIII resist thc attempt 60 involve them
~ the impurities 81 the slave trade You Inirht az
well attempt To tear Deity from lis throne and
trample on TIC principles Of eternal truth before
tbs can be done lie took this occasion 10 say that
he had prepared bill TO repeal the law Of lsO7 !
which establishes the COastwsc slave trade; 10 /
that the trade may rest where il was found /
among the slave owners Themselves when he |
should bring up his bill he would give gentlemen
an opportunity 70 settle tho question forever lie |
anticipated that there would then be backing out |
81 northern men. lie wanted to meet bis slave, |
holding inends, among whom there IL generosity |
he wished them to assist him in smoking out the
doughiac from under the bushes. lie would say
70 southern men, it il their duty 10 catch their
runaway sloycs; II wac not for the people Of the