The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-21
General Cass-Ths Fug,tive-sIuvo Hi.

Messrs Donelson i Armstrong:
AS The time for the meeting OF the Baltimore Conyen
ton approaches democratic preference seems 10 be con-
cen,rng upon General Cas- the FIRST choice OF the
masses OF the party their candidate for the presidency
Those OF his party who most decided against his
nomination as well others, sometimes nsnuate, and
a, other times boldly charge him with having lodged the
vote on the fugtve.s slave bill in $780, This charge, If
true would be very serious objection TO the nomination
of General Cass believe IL is pretty generally con-
coded that acts from some motive or other whether
this he true or false Cass could have had
tive in evading the vote the passage OF the bill His
vote for the bill its nsl passage would not have COM
med him more fully and completely to the than
he was and is without such vote And It's 10 establish
this fact beyond cavil doubt that ask for this
munication place in the columns OF the Union.
On the 18th OF March, $780, in the Senate OF the Uni
ted States, the proposition for the appointment OF the
Committee Of Thirteen being under consideration, Cen
era Cass said:
my own opinion it, sir, that should take up tho bill
for the rscap,ure OF fugitive slaves reported by the Jadics
~ Committee. am disposed to suspend all our discus
.ons and to lay aside all other business, with view
upon that bill, without unnecessary delay, and 70 pass
such form would be acceptable 10 majority oil this
body. That is point upon which the SoutA feels most
acuicy, and in regard to which Il has the most serious
cause complaint have heard but 10 this body
deny the existence Of this evil the justice and necessity
Of providing an adequate remedy
1.-THE act OF 1s3 provided that the state magistrates IN
tho various and counties Of the Union should carry
that effect This provision has been Since rendered
nugatory, these officers will not now act aud conse
queny Judges OF the United States alone have ursdc
the subject They not enough for that pur.
pose, and the law therefore, requires amendment l.
Tor one am willing TO up subject and provide the
necessary means OF carrying the provision OF the consttu.
ton full effect Such procedure would have the very
best upon South this time. twould be pledge
OF sincerity and Of desire to do justice to that great
section OF OR common country"
Here as clear and as explicit declaration and COM
initial favor oil the principles OF the fugitive slave bill,
il not Of the details as an affirmative vote lis passage
would have been But the compounds committee was
organized, and TO IL referred all the and
propositions then before the Senate OF sectional charac
ter including the fugitive slave bill General Cass was
member OF that committee, and concuued in the report
OF Its chairman reporting the fugyeslave bill back 10
the Senate with recommendation that II pass. Here
was adrect and unequivoca commal IN favor OF the
bill both IN principle and detail.
On the 10th day OF August 1850, the Senate having
der consideration the fugitive slave bill, General Cass
said,
When This subject was before the compromise commit.
there general wish, and In that fully ooncured,
that main of of 1913 upon this subject
far as they applicable should be preserved, and
such changes experiences has shown TO be necessary
10 fair and jus. enforcement OF the provisions of
.titoon for the surrender OF fugitive slaves should be in
trodnced by way Of amendment That law was approved
by Washington, and has been In force TOT sixty years
and lays down, among others four general principles,
which am prepared 10 adhere "a. e,u,,,. .,.,,.
"a His duty to carry him before magistrate In the
State where he is arrested that the claim may be adudged
by him. # H1t
,'s The duty Of the magistrate ersmIne tho claim,
and decide IT, like other examining magistrates, without
jury, and then commit him 10 the custody oil The mas
ter. III u r. .YsL. .ra, r -
"a The right Of the then 70 remove the slave to
his residence. lfi .HarIn r .91 bnsteN ..H1sbrgl
rAtthe time hi. law passed, every justice OF the
pence throughout the Union required 70 the
duties under Since them We ell know the Supreme
Court has decided that justices Of the peace cannot be
called upon u execute the sw and the oonsequsnce ~
that they have almost everywhere refused do The
master seeking his slave, found his remedy good