The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-03
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE Law IN THE SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, MAY %.

| Mr.. SUMNER presented the petition of tn
representatives Of the Religious Society 0
| Friends in New England, aaking that the law
for the delivery of fugitive slaves be repealed
The following is the concluding part of the
| memorial, viz:
I'VE therefore respectfully, but earnestl,
and sincerely, entreat you 70 repeal the law Of
the last Congress respecting fugitive slaves
first and principally, becanse OF its Injustice
towards long sorely oppressed, and deeply.
injured people, and secondly, in order that we,
together with other considerations sufferers, NAV
be exonerated from the penalty which II i'm
poses on all who, in faithfhlness TO their Di-
vine Master, and in discharge Of their obliga-
tons to their distressed fell0w-men. feel bound
to regulate their conduct even under the heav-
lest penalties which man cen infiict for no do
ing, BY the Divine injunction, sAll things what.
soever you would that men should do to you,
do ye even unto them and by the other com
mandment Thou shalt love the Lord tiny God
with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thy
self
ave fervcntly desire that He who hath de-
clared unto His servant that it is righteousness
which exalteth nation, but that sin il a re.
proach to any people, may replenish your hearts
with wisdom, and enable you to do Justice and
judgment speedily that 10 the blessings of
such as are ready IN perish may come upon
you, and the peace and welfare Of our beloved
country may be promoted and established
upon n permanent basis Cor the work of right
eousness shall be peace, and the effect Of right
eousness, Quetness and assurance forever
Mr.. SUMNER said This memorial is rec
commended to us by the high character Of the
religious association from which it proceeds
men who mingle rarely in political affairs, but
with austerc rules seek TO carry the Christian
virtues into civil and social life,
The PRESIDENT pro tenn. The Chair will
have 10 interpose No remarks are ia order
before the memorial IL received
Mr.. SUMNER. have but very few words to
add propose 10 move reference Of the me-
mortal 10 the Committee on the Judiciary.
The President. The Chair decides that
the Senator may state the contents Of the me-
mortal The question Of reception then recurs.
Il is not in order to enter into discussion of
its merits until the memorial is received.
Mr.. SUMNER | do not propose to discuss
the subject referred TO in tho memorial but
simply to explain its contents.
Mr.. BApGER. Let the Senator proceed.
MIR Dawson. Certainly
Mr. SUnSER resumed his remarks. The
memorial was recommended also by It's earnest
and persuasive tone. In Offering 1t now, he
would take oeoasion to say that he sl'ould deem
il duty, on some proper occasion hereafter,
to express himself at length upon the subject
TO which it relates. Thus far during the sss-
sion he had forborne to speak upon this topic.
With the exception Of IN able speech from one
Of his colleagues, the discussion Of this subject
at the present session OF Congress had been
lelt 10 other parties, In whose differences ne
had not cared TO interfere. But there was q
time tor all things, and justice required that
both sidss should be heard He believed he
did not expect too much when he expressed
the confident expectation thst be should re-
ceive the candid attention Of the senate while
be ventured TO rot forth fully and frankly the
views which he entertained, and the convic-
tiops 70 which hs ives bound, by every ssnt'-