Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-06-04
RoBT. G, ScoTr, Esl.
7 otter from Gen. JoscZ:,l Lane.
WASHINGTON. May 81, 1852

RoBT. G. ScoTT, Esq. ...z E
Sir:-Thc letter you Gid the honor to address
me. of the 18th inst. is received. If my Is
before the peope for the first office in their gift, it
has been by their action and not mine. | neither
solicit political prcferment shrink from duty.
nor have any concealmcnts, but acknowledge the
right that all have who would elevate to place
Of high trust. to know my political opinions.
You enquire Should you be nominal ed by the
=" Convention and elected to the Presidency by the
people, in your administration of the government
!" will you sustain, and by any means in your pow
er, enforce and have executed in all their parts,
" the various of Congress, Constituting what is
= known the compromise, and especially the en-
actments Of that law relating to the recaptuIe by
" their owners of fugitive slaves p answer uuhes
itatngly. Yes.
presume YOU allude to the flu .itive slave law
" especially because il is now the on measure of
the series to which there appears to be any serious
opposition, inded. it is the only with single
other exception, susceptible of alteration repeal
The subject Of The rendition of fugitive slaves
object at the formation of the Constitution. The
recognition OF the power to reclaim them pre-
requisite TO the establishment of the Union. and was,
and is. existing :" Compromise, embodied into the
Federal Constitution itself and making part of it,
The laws of 1893, and 1850, but legal enact
ments to carry it into effect. Iou enquire again.
.Whether, should you be elected President of the
United States you would d>countenance. by every
proper all attempts to disturb or change the
provisions oftatlaw, whereby these provisions mi ht
be made less Cffectua tor securing to the people OF
the South their constitutional rights, in the posses
sion and enjoyment of their slave property and
should. unfortunately bill be passed by Congress,
modifying or changing the law referred to, rs to
impair its present valuable cnactmcnts would YOU,
as President ofthe Republic veto any such bill o.
! Without entering into the enqniry. or making the
assertion vet it is possible that of the details
Of the fugitive slave law defective to carry
out the intention Of It's friends: bat because Ii
an important feature in compromise. and now the
only part. of practical character that is snseepti-
bic Of modification or repeal and, above all because
would deprecate and deplore renewal Of agitation
upon that dangerous question, would feel ii my du
~ to resist all attempts to reopen that subject Of
legislation and if President Of the United States
IL bill :. Shonld, unfortunately be passed by Con-
gross. modifying changing the law referred to,
to impair it's present valuable cnactmcnts,1
should promptly veto it.
In conclusion. ALLOW me to AID, however. that my
opposition to interference executive or Legislative
on the part OF the Federal Government concerning
the institution Of slavery further than to carry out
the compromises of the Constitution that subject
did not with either the conception pas
sage of the measures embraced in the Compro-
mise . to which you allude, but is general in It's
character and Of date coeval with my earliest en-
trance in. public life, mot short "ne) rs the
journals of the Legislature of Indiana will testify
The events of the last three years have but teaded
to ripen into settled conviction. opinion long
entertained that i! the subject of slavery is allowed
to enter the Halls Of Congress and form element
in the general politics of the country. it
or or later prove fatal to the peace, harmony and
integrity of the Union
am; SIR, with grca: respect, your ob't scrv't,
JOSEPH LANE.