Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-08

stituion touching the surrender of fugtives from la
bor.' few words only needful Assuming sir, In
the face of commanding rules Of Interpretation all lean
ing towards freedom in the language Of this
clause, palering in double sense, the words employed
be judcally regarded rs justly applicable fugitive
slaves which, as you ought to know sir is often most
strenuously and couscientousy denied-thus spongng
the whole clause out Of existeno except provision
for the return Of persons actually bound by lawful
tract, but which now express opinon assuming
say this Interpretation, hostile to freedom and de
rogatory the members Of the Federal convention who
soemny declared that they would not yield any sanction
to slavery, admit into the Constitution the idea of
property in man. assuming, repeat an Interpretation
which every principle Of the common law claimed by
fathers their birthrght must dsown admitting for
the moment only and with shame, that the Constitution
Of the United States has any words which, in any legal
intendment, constran fugitive slaves then desire
tp say, that understand the Constitution this clause
does not impose upon me, Senator citizen any OBJ
legation take part directly indirectly in the surren-
der of fugitive slave.
Sir Senator, have taken at your desk the oath to
support the Constitution, understand t. And, under
standing it as do, bound by that oath, Mr. Presi
dent to oppose all enacments by Congress the subject
Of fugitive slaves fragrant violation Of the Consttu-
ton especially must oppose the last act as yrannca
usurpaton kindred in character the stamp act which
our fathers Indignantly refused to obey.
Here my duties under the oah which have taken as
Senator end. There is nothing beyond They oil
absorbed in the constant nfexibe righteous obligation
to oppose every exercise by Congress Of any power
the subject In no respect, by that oath, be
especially when revolving to my conscience. Now, in
this Interpretation Of the Constitution may be wrong
others may differ from the Senator from Virginia
may differ me- and the Senator from South Carolina
also and they will each and ALL according to their
respective understandings For myself shall act ac-
cording to mine On this explicit statement Of my con-
stitutonal obligations stand upon rock and to the
inquiry, in whatever FORM addressed to my personal
sponsblity, whether would aid, directly indirectly
in reducing or surrendering felow-man to bondage
reply again, is thy servant dog, that he should do
this thing ?"
And SIR looking around upon this Senate might ask
fearessly, how many there are in this body, if
indeed there be single Senator who would stoop any
such service Until some rises and openly confesses
his willingness to become savehunter will not be-
lieve that there be Here Mr.. SUMNER paused,
but nobody rose. And yet honorable and chivalrous
Senators have rushed headong denounce me because
openly declared my reputation of service at which
every manly bosom must revolt!
Sire, have found in Bayonne brave soldiers and
good citizens, but not erecaoa the noble reply
Of the Governor of that place to Charles X Of France
after the royal edct the Of st. Bartholomew
and such spirit trust will yet animate the people Of
this country when pressed to the service Of dogs"
To that other question which has been proposed whe
her Massachusetts, by State laws will carry out the Of
ensive clause in the Constitution according to the
Outstanding the venerable Senator from South Carolina
reply that Massachusetts at all times has been ready
do her duty under the Constitution she understands it,
and doubt not will continue OF this mind. More
than this cannot say.
In quitting this topic cannot forbear to remark that
the assault for my disclaimer Of all constitutional
obligation resting upon me Senator citizen to aid
in making slave, in surrendering him TO slave
ry, with i'll grace from the veteran Senator
from Virginia. State which, by its resolutions
of 1798 assumed to determine its constitutional obga
ons even extent of openly declaring two different
acts Of Congress null and void and it comes also with
i'll grace from the venerable Senator from South Caro-
lima State which in latter days has itself open
y against the Federal authorities and which threatens
notification as often as babies cry.
Surely the Senator from South Carolina silver
white LOCKE would have hestated to lead this assault upon
had he not for the moment been entirely obliyeus Of
the history Of the State which he represents Not many
years passed since at Charleston
in South Carolinanotat Boston, in Massachusetts
ought be remembered The postmaster Of that place,
acting under controlling public opinion there, informed
the head of his Department at Washington that he had
determined to suppress all anti slavery publications, and
requested instructions for the future Thus violation
of the laws Of the land, the very mails rfed and
South Carolina smiled appreciation Of the outrage But
this is not ALL The Postmaster General Mr.. Kendall,
after prudenty alleging that he had the pa
pers in question he could not give opinion Of their
character proceeded to say that he had been informed
that they incendiary, nfammaory, and insurrec
tionary, and then announced
"By direction of mine Official private could
mi. drso q Il W.
fon the la but higher to the communities in which
ve and if the former be perverted to destroy the latter
patriotism Disregard them. Entertaining these views,
sanction and will not condemn the step you have
TAKEN" !.
Such the approving response of the National Gov
eminent to the postmaster of Charleston when for the
sake Of slavery and without any constitutional scrupe
he set himself against acknowledged law Of the land
Yet the Senator from South Carolina presumes
denounce when for the sake Of freedom and in the
honest Interpretation Of my constitutional obligations,
decline IN offensive service -
But there is another incident in the history Of South
Carolina which, loyal of Massachusetts,, cannot
forget and which rises in judgment against the
cradle Senator Massachusetts had commissioned dis
tinguished gentleman blameess life and eminent pro-
fessiona qualities who served with honor in the other
House, Hon. Samuel Hoar to reside at Charleston for
brief period in order to guard the rights Of her free
colored citizens assacd arrival there by nhospt
able statute gross in its provisions that eminent
character Of South Carolina, Judge Of the Supreme
Court of the United States, Hon. William Johnson had
characterized it as trampliug the Constitution and
"a direct attack upon the sovereignty Of the United
States. Massachusetts, had read in the Constitution
clause closely associated with that touching "fugves
from labor, to the following effect: The citizens Of
each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immun
ties Of citizens in the several States and supposed that
this would yet be recognised by South Carolina But she
was mistaken Her venerable representative unarmed
old man. with hair siyerwhite almost that Of the
Senator before me, beset in Charleston by
spectacle mob prevented from entering upon his duties
and driven from the State while the Legislature stepped
the statute book order for his expulsion And yet sir
the excabe Senator from South Carolina is fred by the
fanced deinquences of Massachusetts, towards slave
hunters and also by my refusal to render them
aid comfort " he showers questions in yolleys,
sumes TO duties by his understanding and
calculates lecture at Massachusetts, and myself Sir,
thar venerable Senator again does this let him