The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-09-30
DOCUMENTS FOR THE TIMES.

~se@&N~~s~-~t
SPEECH OF HON. CHAS. SUMNER,
i- OF MASSACHUSETTS,
ON HIS NOTION TO
REPEAL, TIE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL,
IN THE
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1852.
The Civil and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill be-
ino under consideration, the following amendment
was moved by the Committee on Finance:
THAT where the ministerial officers of the United States
have or extraordinary expenses in the
thereof the payment OF which Is not pro-
vded or the Of tns @ s, Of me
district or circuit district in which the said ser
for dsfraying the expenses Of the judiciary
MIR. SUMNER moved the following amendment
to the amendment
Propilcd That no such allowance shall be authorized
Ie 1850 for the surrender ofgives from service or laDo
which said act is h2reby repealed
On this he took the floor and spoke as follows
Mr. PREsIDENr: Here is provision for extraor-
dinary expenses incurred in executing the laws OF
the United States Extraordinary expenses OH,
beneath these specious words turks the very SUI
iect on which, by solemn vote OF this body was
refused hearing Here it is no longer open to
the charge of being an ' abstraction, but actu-
ally presented for practical legisation not intro
duced by me, but by of the important commit
tees of the Senate not brought forward weeks
ar,, wher there was ample time tcr discussion
bu only a: tbs moneat, without any reference to
the late period of the session. The amendment.
which / now offer, proposes to remove one chiei
occasion of these extraordinary expenses AND
now, at last, aEong these final crowded days OF
our duties here but at this earliest opportunity,
am to be heard not favor but as right. The
graceful usages of this body may be abandoned,
but the established privilege of debate cannot be
abridged Parliamentary courtesy may De 1orgol-
ten, but Parliamentary law mrst prevail The
subject is broadly before the Senate. by the
blessing of God it s4al be discussed.
Sir, a severe lawgiver of early Greece yalnly
sought to secure psrmanence for his imperfect IN
stitutions. by providing that the citizen VINO, at
any time attempted an alteration or repeal OF any
part thereof should appear in the public assembly
with halter about his neck, ready to be drawn If
his proposition failed to be adopted. tyrannlcai
spirit amonp us, in unconscious imitation OF this
antique and discarded barbarsm, seeks to surround
an offensive institution with similar safeguard
In the existing distemper of the public mind and
at this present juncture, no man can enter upon
the service which now undertake, without per-
sonal responsibility, such as can be sustained only
by that sense of duty which, under God, is always
our best support. That personal responsibility
accept. Before the Senate and the country let me
be held accountable for this act and for every word
which utter.
With me, sir, there is no alternative. Painfully
convinced of the unutterable wrongs and woes OF
slavery profoundly believing that, according to
the true spirit of the Constitution and the senti-
ments of tn fathers, it find place under our
National Government-that it is in every respect
sectional, and in respect nGtionaNthat 1t Is al
wavs and everywhere the creature and dependent
of the States, and never anywhere the creature or
dependent of the Nation, and that the Nation can
never, by legislative other act impart to any
support under the Constitution OF the United
States; with these convictions, could not allow
this session reach its close, without making or
seizing an opportunity to declare myself openly
against the usurpation, injustice, and cruelty, oil
the late enactment by Congress for the recovery OF
fugitive slaves Full well know, sir, the difficult
ties of this discussion, arising from prejudices of
opinion and from adverse conclusions, strong and
sincere as my own. Full well know that am In
a small minority, with few here to whom | may
look for sympathy or support. Full well know
that must utter things unwelcome to many IN TINS
body, which cannot do without pain. Full well
know that the institution of slavery in our coun-
try, which now proceed to consider, is as sensi-
tive as it is powerful-possessing power to shake
the whole land with senstiveness that shrinks
and trembles at the touch But, while these Things
NAV properly prompt me to caution and reserve
they ca mot change my duty, or my determination
to perform it. For this willingly forget myself
and all personal consequences The favor ane
goodwill of my fellov-ctizens, OF my brethren
the Senate sir-grateful to me as it justly is
ooNhAAA~S' ~N--
may be, l freely offer to this cause,
And here allow me, for one moment, to refer u
myself and my position. Sir, have never been
politician. The slave of principles, call no part
master By sentiment, education, and convection
friend of Human Rights in their utmost expan
sion I have ever most sincerely embraced tn
Democratic Idea; not. indeed, as represented o
professed by any party but according TO It's rea
significance as transfgured in the Declaration c
Independence and in the injunctions OF Christian
II ahU mi 1Crp
merely for individuals or classes, but the sovel
eighty of the people and the greatest happiness
ali secured by equal laws. Amidst the vcissitude
of public affairs, trust always to hold fast to th
idea, and to any political party which truly embr'
ces it.
Party does not constrain me; ; nor is my ind
pendence essened by any relations to the ofht
which giyes me title to be heard ON this foo
And here sir may speak proudly. By no etfor
by no desire of my own, ] find myself a Senator
the United States Never before have held pu
lie Office of any kind. With the ample opportun
4 ties of private life was content. No tombstor
for me could bear fairer inscription than this
I" Here lies one who, without the honors or emo
uments of public station, did something for n
fellow man. From such simple aspirations WI
taken away by the free choice of my native Con
monweaIth, and placed in this responsible post
duty, without personal obligation of any kind, b
yond what was implied in my life and pubilsh'
words. The earnest friends, by whose confden
] was first designated, asked nothing from me- an
throughout the long conflict which ended in n
election. rejoiced in the position which mo
carefully guarded. To all my language was ur
form, that l did not desire to be brought forward
that would do nothing to promote the resul
that had no pledges promises to offer tn
the office should seek me- and not the office; al
that it sholld find me in all respects indepen
ent man, bound to no party and to no human bein
but only, according to my best judgment, to act
the good of ALL Again, sir, speak with prit
both for myself and others, when add that the
avowas found sympathizing response. In tt
spirit have come here, and in this spirit sh
speak to-day.
Rejoicing in my independence and caimi
nothing from party ties, throw myself upon
candor and magnanimity of the Senate. n
ask your attention but trust not to abuse it.
may speak strongly for shall speak openly a
from the strength of my convictions. may spt
= warmly for shall speak from the heart. But
no event can forget the amenities which belong
debate, and which especially become this boz
Slavery must condemn with my whole soul
here need only borrow the language of slaveho
ers themselves nor would it accord with my h
its or my sense of justice to exhibit them as
impersonation of the institution-Jeferson call
the "enormity"-which they cherish Of ther
do not speak; but without fear and without fav
as without impeachment of any person, l ass
81; AUain CIV 7 - ,,,,II