Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-08-05
PIERCE ON SLAVERY.

11EnOE UN OLA Lnl.
Gen. Pierce is claimed by southern loco
focos as the peculiar friend and champion of
the slave States. Let us see in what light
he regards the institution of Slavery. On
the Doth November, 1850, "great Union
meeting was held at Manchester, New
Hampshire" and among the speakers on
the occasion was Gen. Franklin PIERCE
Hear what he said in that speech:
"Who did not deplore Slavery? But what
sound thinking man regarded that as the
only EVIL which could rest upon the land?
The men ,rho tco,ld disSolre The Union did
not HATE AND DEPLORE SLAVERY
MORE THAN HE DID, but euen Nth 1t,
we had lived in peace, prosperity, and Sc
curity from the foundation of our institu-
tion to the present time. If the Constitr-
tion provide for the return Of fugitive slaves,
it should be done. That was what he
wanted to do, and that was what the friends
of the Union established by them wanted to
do. Kisses. These (said Gen. Pierce
are the arguments of the higher law l
suppose.
Gen. Scott has never gone quite that far,
but early took ground in favor of the Com
promise, including the fugitive slave law,
without any qualifying ifs, as to its consti-
tutionality. Let us look little farther into
the position of Gen. Pierce. The "Inde-
pendent Democrat" paper published at
Concord New Hampshire, contains an ac-
count of speech delivered by Gen. Frank
lin Pierce, at New Boston Centre, New
Hampshire, on the I'd of January last, from
which we make the following extracts:
CATER this he commenced speaking on
the Fugitive Slave Law. He said that it
differed in no important particular from the
law of 1893. A clergyman who was pres
ent said that, as the invitation had been Civ
en-, he would like TO make an inquiry: DO
YOU regard the features of the Fugitiv Slave
Law as consistent with common law?'
"Gen. Pierce Immediately replied: "If
l must answer the question, say do not.
have been asked if | like this Fugitive
Slave Law. answered no; l loathed it,
l have most revolving feeling at the giving
up of a slave; the law is opposed to humani-
ty.
"Here Mr.. Foss inquired 'if it was not
opposed TO right as well as humanity"
'Gen. Pierce replied-'Yes, it is opposed
to moral right
The above is the substance Of Gen. Pierce S
remarks upon the Fugitive Slave law
The quotation marks include the very Ian
guage used by the General, as taken down
at the time it was uttered"
A quotation is also given from the Man
chester N. H. Democrat, of JanuaryS, 1852
in which the following statement in relation
to the same speech, is published:
The speaker now took up the subject OF
slavery. He said it was the greatest trou-
Bile to the country, and was so regarded by
Washington. As for himself, he ''nevel
saw human being in bondage without feel.
ing his heart revolt at it. Slavery is con.
trary to the constitution IN some respects
a moral blot upon the character of the nation
But it can't be helped.
He repeated what Mr.. Aver had stated
before, ''that the present Fugitive Slave law
about which so much noise is made, lCd
not particularly different from the law o
1893, under which he had lived nearly sixty
years"
Here Mr.. Foss said, that without inter
rupting the speaker, he wished to make al
t inquiry: 'If in no particular different, why
was it necessary to pass the present law?"
Gen. P. replied that the old law could no
a be executed because its execution depende
on the STATE Courts. He also said somethin,
which was not fully understood about tn
law of 1888, as based partly on the common
law.
He was then asked, "Was either the Law
of '93 or the present law, founded in an
degree upon the common law?"
r Gen. Pierce.-''I can't go into disqui
. sition upon the common law?"
n The inquiry was then made, "Do you re
gard the feature of the Fugitive Slave la,
y as consistent with common law?"
b Gen. Pierce.-"Well, if must answer
), No, do not. have been asked if like
Fugitive Slave law. / answered, no.
have the most revolving feeling at the giyin
up slave; the Fugitive Slave Law is or
posed to humanity. Here some one inquil
!. ed, SIS it not opposed to moral right J.
y Yes it is opposed TO moral right But OF
;, fathers made the compact and we must iu
fill it. Say nothing of the humanity of
lnothing of the right Gift