The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-16

cannot be thus hupbugged.
believe, for those and other reasons which
will endcavor TO state If my time allows me, that
the nomination OF General Scott noo, under exist.
ing circumstances, whatever resolution may be
passed by the convention, whatever letter ne may
write will result either IN the immediate ulSrup-
ton of the Wing party, in its final abOliuonlza
ton. believe ne cannot get the vote OF single
Southern State He viii be nominated, II nomi
mated at ALL by sectional vote IT, indeed, all the
representatives of the South shall be true TO the
trust copided 10 them; and he who fails 10 repre-
sent southern sentiment and southern feeling IN
that COW uton upon those high issues, let nina
loo. 10 it-let him look 10 it! If he has position,
hone, or prospects at home-if his hopes are not
directed elsewhere than at home, let him look well
10 il. 10 who betrays The trust coniided TO nm ny
any portion OF the southern people IN that eonvSn-
ton, and under existing crcumstances-acqu
esces in, gives his consent to. the nomination OF
Gen. Scott-lii am notvery much mistaken WI DC
branded with brand Of iuflmy that Will dlsnoror
him through his life, and be feproach to his
children hen he 10 IN his grave.
But the abolitionzing of the Wing party viii
mot he the only evil result Accomplished by the
nomination OF General Scott at Baltimore. ltwil!
place WILLIAM III SEWARD in the same relation
10 the Wing party OF the Union that he no"
occupies in reference to the Wing party OF Ne"
York, and the great States adjoining thereto
and, indeed, to the whole Wing party Of the
Nortn-a most influential and controlling posi-
ton. Many men, know. are acting under h's
influence, and guided by the engines which he
controls, who do not know from whence comes
the power that moves them. lie has reached a
positon OF power and influence at the North
that gives him almost absolute control over the
Northern Wing organization, He is the focus az
which concentrate all the hopes Of that class o..
mercenary politicians who act in politics only
with view 10 personal and pecunary advan.
tagcs. He has Tor years controlled the patronage
of the great Empire State of New Iork-vast in
amount-and has occupied position that enabled
him, TO very great extent, 10 control the pa
tronage of the Federal Government here, in re.
ference to citizens of New York. He is looked
to as probable President of the United States
some future day by his partisans, and that
fact gives him all the power incident TO such
position. He concentrate, WELD and com
Hand greater number of energetic men, to ac
couplish any object which he desires, than the
President OF the United States, with all the pa
tronage which he disposes. That is his position.
Such is his power and influence.
Sir | 90 not undertake 10 judge the motives and
objects OF any man, except 30 far as those objects
and motives revealed and displayed by his acts.
Trying him by this rule as a public man, in the
performance of what esteem to be public duty,
have right to refer to his position and inquire
into his objects and purposes. Such inquiries, in
regard TO the objects and purposes OF such man,
address themselves 10 the Interests OF the Republic.
IL is always painful matter TO me 10 be obliged to
specify any individual in public debate, and no
thing but necessity would induce me TO do so
now. But, cir, ] say that Mr. SEWARD, when
General Scott is nominated, will be inaugurated,
enphaticay, into the position OF ruler and con-
troller of the Wing party OF the nation.
Why do express this opinion? Let us look at
the matter for moment, for my time will not al
low me TO dwell upon IL longer. When General
Taylor died-whep these great measures passed
when Mr.. Fillmore and Mr.. Webster threw the
whole weight of their influence and gave the coun-
try the benefit Of their utmost erertons to induce
the North TO accept the Compromise measures a
peace oifering-a final settlement of sectional dit
ierenccs between the North and South-what did
Mr.. SEWARD do? shall have TO refer 10 his acts
from memory; and, if max mistake will cor.
rect il when IT is pointed out According TO my
recollection, soon after the passage Of those mea-
he introduced n resolution into the Senate,
bill, to abolish slavery the District of Column
bin; thus showing TO the anti-slavery men of the
couctry that be did not acquicsce in the Compro.
mise m.2sures-that he was still or agitation.
"Repeal" the cry which be raised When a
fugitive slave was rescued from the courts Of Jus
tce in the city Of Boston by anegro mob, and when
that city almost in a state OF insurrectiCn
against the 0Dusttution and laws of the country
the Aboliuonists Of Massachusetts, called a conven.
ton TO protest against this Fugitive Slave la W. and
they invited Mr.. SEWARD TO attend | will read
the letter which be sent them in reply:
oAusrRS, April 5, ISL
"DEAs SIR: Your letter inviting me to attend
convention fthe people Of Massachusetts opposed
to the Fugitive Slave law, and to communicate in
writing my opinion on that statute, If should be-
unable attend the convention, has been received.
while Offering the pressure Of duties here too
long deferred aS an apology tor non-attendance, !
pray you u assure the committee IN whose behalf
you act oi my profound scnse Of their courtesy
and kindne.s. IL would be honor 10 be invited
20 address the people Of Massachusetts any sub.
a
10 be called upon 10 speak to that great aud en-
ightoned Commonwealth on question OF human
rights and civil liberty.
II conless, SIR that have earnestly desired no,
10 mingle in the popular discussions Of the guea.
sures Of the last Congress. The issue necessarlly
involves the claims Of their advocates and adyer.
saries ia the public councils to the confidence Of
the country. Some Of those advocates have en-.
tered the popular arena, eliminating tho-e from
whom they had differed; while others have cndeay.
orcd by extraordinary mcaus either 10 control dis
custom 20 suppress u altogether and thu. they
have shown themselves disqualified by prejudice
or interest for practising that impartianty and
eansor which the occasion demanded.
Il am unwilling even 10 seem % imply, by
reiterauDg arguments already before the public
either any distrust Of the position Of those with
whom stood Ia Congress, or impationce for that
favorable popular verdict which believed to be
near and know 20 be ultimately certain.
Nevertheless, there can be no improperly in
my declaring when thus questioned, the opinions
which will govern myvCtc upon any occasion when
the fugiuye Slave law shall come up FOR review IN
the National Legislature. think the act slgnally
unwise, because IL ID an attempt by purely fed
erAuye government TO extend the economy Of
slave States throughout States which repudistc
slavery a. moral social, and political evil. Any
despOtic government would awaken sedItion from
its profoundest slUm5ers By such az attempt
''The attempt by the Government has aroused
constitutional resistance, which will not cease until
the effort shall be reiuquishcd. lie who teaches
another faith than THE, whether aeifdeceivcd or
not, mIsleads. ] think, also, thai the attempt was
unnecessary; that political ends merely political
ends and not real evils, resulting from the cscapc
Of savcs--coustitutcd the prevailing motives 70 the
enaCt ncnt
81 think also, that the details Of the measure are
indClensble; that the denial % the alleged fugitive
Of trial Of biz alleged obligation 90 labor, and Of
his escape from Il, by court, and nothing lCss
than a court Of justice, Intentionally organized.
and proceeding according 90 the course OF the
common law within The State where be is claimed,
is papably IN dcrogation Of the Constitution; that
tc rules Of evidence which thc law prcscrIbcs arc
oppressive Of the weak aud defeuceless, and thae
ChristendOm might be searched in vain fJr par
sllel TO the provisions which make escape from
bondage "A crime by law retroactive in its effect,
and without limitations OF time 70 favor the pre-
sumption Of freedom, which, under rigorous pen
altics, compel ireewcn 20 aid in the capture Of
,layes, and which offer uumistaken induccmcntstJ
false claims and false judgments. Finally, what
ever changes u opinions others may have On
dergOne retain my earliest convictions that the
constitutional provision on which the law purpOru
20 be founded, is merely n compact between the
States: and that the Congress Of the United states