Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-05-28

stability Of The Union; and this view which presented 10
senate on the 2lst Of December last, in some REMARKS
- Tho subject has been fortified by subsequent eYen's
and hereafter whether in public or Ia private s1aoi
S nIyueaie their integrity and their observance And
ha,d he favor OF my tGow-cllZens call me 10 Inc fres
Jncv should use all the constitutional and legal means
NV mower to cause those laws we'll as all Others
rnrcad rlIu fairly, and without exception. And so
~ no !, mirht De proper should dscounienance an at
10 disturb or change the provisions OF the law Tor me
of fugitive slaves whereby nose PROVISIONS might
re- less efficient in carrying Into effect the cos.tu
tiona obligation upon that sunjcct. ,os;s,; &c
believe that the repeal or IN essentm moo'icatoh VI
this law, in,pa'rlng Its efficacy "ouu ~ ,ba Ill .b
the South from The North, than any event l,an an NE
events indeed which have led to those secloa
that have marked the progress OIL on! histoy, Az oia
have happily yielded to spirit OF conGsss,uf bot in
on Such would destroy all conhueIe, W.. 80
the good faith of the North and in tie value ever i
the constitutional guarantees, and, in my OPINION ";n
inevitably dissolution Of the Union 90 oene,'i :
irve il the duty Of every American 10 hoa oh ~
mi, Compromise in all parts as he would mold on 10
,ed institutions which have made US The lreest e "p
1ies aud Inc most PROSPEROUS iia'iou MA e'c 81" "
And besides obvious to the most superficial observer
thai Shirt has gone FORTH in some OF the States CT !e
ni,n which were not checked by sound public opn
i'm ryrt nrodce the dangerous consequences Inc
right 0: property is called in question: and inc securities m
oec it, as sacred any which any "hee Sua'u 'e soca
mr. nolitica sys dered and disaVo"eo anu
m nculcateJ utterly incompatible with the existence Oh e
Union itself! with peace among It's members snouu a-
in his wrath separate Them into lndepehaen. mo de.
becomes every who loves his country anu
sires That its future should be glorious and MOI 'hir in
TO dscountcnance these ctturs. and To firm d.
tcary the principles Of the Const ~ mic dangerous
termination TO do this and not to Wv W ,, fcriy c,n
spirit would render it harmless oi ; I m ,hs non
yinced thai the Grea, body OF cur fellow IN .e
sIaveho1ns States ion 1SoIabIe as their own
W $50, ~ vithholdng the Executive approval from
hill modifying changing ths law, so as 10 impair Tvs
M ,nnnsn havs 10 remark, that there are various con.
,i,ie,al euaInees OF the hghes! importance 10 Tue pep
n Of the United States and without which ms
would have been established when pGpe"u n n
ettcscy upon Congressional legislation While Without H.
they arc mere barren declarations Among tnese, tic
rinht of trial by jury, and tho benefit OF the wtl o
co,pusbo,h OF which would DC aeao m ha n,
brounht into life BY legislative action and 10y Inc
nrs unuu the judiciary And among them, a's' Is l's5
obligation 10 surrender ugtves from labor, when iM'hs'e
fl cgon ey would not have 5nsd h s ns Il Gs e. 'f
ration II certainly the constitutional duty o Congress
10 pass efficient laws upon these SUBJECTS and having passed
them il equally their duty not 10 repeal nor modify any
OF hcu 90 to leave the constitutional obligations wholly
nncyecued executed TO fulfil neither the dictates o:
duty nor good faith the Just expectations OF that
large portion the American people much OF whose proper
depends for is value upon the faithful observance oil one
of these guarantees.
From circumstances arising subsequent the passage OF
the original law for the recapture OF fugitive slaves that
law became in effect imperative leaving stipulation of the
the Union almost useless it had had place in that
great charter Of tho government.
short extract from observations made III The Sc
nate on the l OF March, 1850 urging the necessity of the
immediate passage of etcicn. fugitive slave law
will show tina; the opinions here vancel were then uvow
ed and urged by the motives for legislative action
MY own opinion s that should take up the bill for
the rccapture OF fugitive slaves, reported BY the Judi
| Z" ciary Committee
am disposed 10 suspend all discussions and 10 lay
aside all other business with view upon that BILL
without unnecessary delay, and to pass it, in such form
rs may be acceptable TO majority OF this body That
is the point upon which The South feels most acuey and
in regard 10 which has the most serious cause OF conf
g plant have heard but in this body deny the
| prll rhn
Z" yting adequate remedy.
81 for Que, wiling take the subject, and provide
tho necessary means for carrying tho provision OF the
- Constitution into full effect Such procedure would
have the very bcs. elect upon the South At this time
II would be pledge OF sincerity and n our desire 10
90 Justice that great section OF common country
conviction Of the injustice vi this state vi things and
uf the Justice of the demand efficient modification o!
HE nw to the provisions cngraei upon the orig
a slute ana which together provide adequate means Tor
carrying into effect The constitutional Obligation II Is my
opinion that laws OF this nature present peculiarly grave
and that their efficacy cannot be impaired
without the neglect Of undenabc constitutional duties
Essential the fumcn Of fundamental guarantees, they
in effect constitute portion OF tneH ana SO lar pafahe OF
character TO be guarded a. inst repeal or
any r.; JIicaoa b. which The faithful execution Of these
import. nj stpuations might be impeded prevented.
And Ia conformity with these sentiments have voted to
Law upon The table in other words not 10 consider, the
petitions presented the present session. asking for changes
IN The fugitive slave law was determined for one, not 10
touch the law, and 10 prevent il possible, the renewal oil
the agitation.
App!ying the principles here advanced 10 the law in ques
ton and ciay having reference the condition Of the
county and crisis through which it has passed.
have hCsit zion in saying that whoever Is PRESIDENT, II
woud be lis withhold his approval from any BILL so
moi nu changing law us 10 impair It's present
valuable cnaclmens which give TO it tie necessary ELI
LEWIS CASS.
RoBr c. ScoTT Esq. Richmond, Va.