The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-08

MIR. RANTOUL. BY what authority does my
colleague attribute that poem to me:
MIR DAVIS. On that of the newspapers
Mr.. RANTOUL have nothing further to say
laughter
Mr.. DAVIS | ask whether am right
MIR. RANTOUL. l think you wrong in
quoting any thing on newspaper-anonymou au-
thority. Laughter
Several VoIcEs As it true? ne does not deny it,"
Mr.. DAVIS said that, if this decidedly
wrong, he supposed that his colleague did not in
tend 10 follow the example. His colleague had
done himself less than Justice III imputing TO him
(Mr. DAvis) that in ls48, in the Legislature OF
Massachusetts,, he, for the first trle, succeeded IN
introducing and carrying through various resolves
In relation 10 the slavery question This idea Is con-
trary TO bis colleagues own sentiments, although
he does not state it. He is Of force and
talent, and N ade himself early understood on that
subject. AS far back 1888, every word and syl-
liable OF the Massachusetts resolves was anticipated
by his colleague from the Essex district. Being
Democratic candidate for Congress, he wrote let
ter, dated November 3, 1888, in answer to certain
questions, in which he said that he had always
garded slavery as curse on the nation, and wher-
ever exists, and strongly expressed his opinion
TO the constitutional power TO abolish slavery in
the District Of Columbia and prohibit il IN the Ter
rltorles, and that Congress not only have the
power but that il is their duty to abolish the inter
State slave trade
In 1910, his colleague went into the Presidential
contest under the resolve Of the Baltimore Demo
convention, tnat all the apolltiOn
lst5 TO induce Congress to interfere with slavery
would lead to alarming and dangerous results. In
lS43, pending the question Of the annexation o!
Texas, DIR. Tyler appointed him to the collector,
ship OF Boston; and he Mr.. DAvis) supposed that
his colleagues opinions conformed to those of Mr..
Tyler upon that subject; and in lS4a and lS4S, his
colleague was a member of the Baltimore Convcn.
ton, at which the same resolve was passed. In
May, 1916, the gentleman was elected a member Of
peace society.
Nj Y N'r0ITT at hat he up
elected, and never went to peace society twas
another gentleman, OF the same
Mr.. DAVIS alluded TO other proceedings, with
view of showing the Inconsistencies OF his col
league; and said, in the course of his remarks,
(Which We heard but imperlectly, and OF which we
present a hurried sketch) that in November,
1850, there was public meeting in Boston in favor
OF sustaining the Compromise measures. His col
league approved of the general object of the meet
ing, and wac invited TO speak, Democrat; but
the only doubt he had to doing was, that he
was running for Congress, and thought that he
had better not express his opinions This was
two months after the Fugitive Slave law had been
passed, and after bis colleague had been nominated
by convention which opposed that law. In the
winter OF 1850, the combination was stll carried
on between the Democrats and the Freesoilers,
and resulted in the bargain TO which he would
now refer. The Freesoilers were TO have United
states Senator Tor SIX years, and the Democrats
the Governor, and the Senator for six mont tbs. His
colleague was elected as Senator in iulfilment of
one part Of the arrangement. He would ask any
gentleman from Illinois whether he knew the char
acter and position OF the editor of the Sprin gfed
Register. and whether the character good or
bad! A gentleman from that State replied that
Inc Character OF the editor ls good.
He then said that on the fret of February, 1851,
three weeks before his colleague took his seat in
the Senate, he in that State, attending to rail
road business. AT that time there appeared ar
tcle in the Register, TO the effect that we il
charged IN the Seward newspapers in different
quarters Of the Union that MIR RANToUL permitted
his name 20 be used by the Massachusetts, coali-
ton Mr.. RASTouL lie now in this city, and says
that he refused such OF his name, and advised
a different course. He has ever been known
ultra Democrat, has held these things calculated
to lead to disturbance, and was opposed to the re-
cent agitations which threatened the existence OF
the Union" [Laughter.l
Now he (hlr. DAvIs) understood that the origi.
ma ~ this article is in existence, and bears re-
sen lance 10 the hand writing OF his colleague.
The comparison may be casual, because the article
contains come compliments on his colleague, who
10 rather dithdent in his own praise. Laughter.
Al the end Of three weeks his colleague returned
and took bis seat in the Senate, thus justifying
that part OF the bargain. The Freesoi paper, the
Commonwealth, put II upon the ground that, by
accepting office under the conditions and under
he had bound himself to pay the price
on his accession to office. Having taken the goods,
he was bound 70 pay Tor them, like other mer
as cheese and onions.
Mr.. DAVE then spoke Of "the coalition" and il.
results, and of his colleagues conduct with refer
cnce 70 the fugitive Sims; and said that, at the time
he (Mr. ID was nominated, the sentiment of his
district decidedly against the Fugitive Slave
la9', and the convention took strong ground upon
this subject. Similar feeling prevailed among the |
Democrats, and more hostility peryaded the ranks
+ the Frees1ilers. But what have since seen; |
Opposition 10 the law pushed 20 the verge Of revo
luton, ondangering the existence Of the Union !
md, on the other hand. We have seen combination,
'orrupng in its effect and demoralizng in its ten
iences formed by those who profess 10 be most OPP
posed 10 that law, separate from those who have |
declared themselves in favor Of sustaining the Com
promise. The Issue Is then presented whether these
measures shall or shall not he sustained.
There were, he said, some general considerations
which could not fail 10 be impressed upon the
minds OF those who look at all the bearings of ths
subject The fret OF all others which attracted his
attention, and which may have generally passed |
wac the fact that the oath to support
the Constitution wac, at the commencement of the |
present Congress, administered 60 a slaychOdlug !
Speaker by the gentleman MIR. GIpDINGs) who pro-
esses 70 be most deeply committed in opposition J
10 slavery. lie watched the ceremony with into. |
rest, because 10 symbolzed much Of what is most |
in our institutions. When he saw the |
gente man, FreesOiicr administer the oath TO the
speaker, STAKEHOLDER, 10 support the Constitu- |
ton-in which arc certain clauses which are well
lnderstOod-it was a. much as 10 cay. Of part Of
4: 81. Frcesoilcr, call on you, STAKEHOLDER, 70 !
wear by the living God that, should slave insur
you ruhll ChNec or hhutllun Illlfdry
orce 20 be made use Of TO suppress IL; and. fur |
hcr, call upon you to declare that you will snnc
ion the principle that the fugitive shall be re- |
tOred" II this is the case, and the oath IL |
administered and accedcd TO a basic Of sction, |
low little difference j. there between resistance 20
M LAVE, ns regards the question Of the higher |
w." about which much has been said
He understood perfectly how any man who does
bot assent TO IN, government over him. who will 1
not assent, can suffer pain. and penalties rather
han submit 20 laws which be never sanctioned; |
but be did not ace how any man, under oath |
given to sanction the Constitution, can appeal to |
he higher law" IN opposition 10 the Constitution.
This narrOws the question 20 whether the provi
sious OF the Constitution ought 10 be carried out,
Dr whether that Is CONSISTENT with the liberties OF
those who do not consider that they arc subject 10
the Constitutions operations lie Of opinion
hat the details Of the Fugitive Slave law may re-
gpire alteration on the other hand, he believed
mat reflection has led the public mind TO settle
down IN the sentiment that part Of the COnstitu
ton il "a binding another With regard to
thc time for the alteration Of the details, II is not
yet; the time for making change has not
arrived; but IL may come, and be more apt 20 come
IN calm rather than in storm, when the different
sections Of tho Union may adopt a mode different
TO that which now cIists-they may adopt the
con- non-law mode Of Compensation.