Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-22


Mr.. SUMNER. And now
MIR. BENJAMIN. have the right to the
floor.
Mr.. SUMNER. believe have possession
of the floor | desire to say but a few words.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. will yield to the Sem
ator.
MIR. SUMNER. In the impotence Of the
Senate, do not desire to follow the discursive
address TO which We have listened from the
Senator from Georgia Mr.. DAWSON. or the
Senator from Delaware, Mr.. BAYARD touch
ing the various points Of law and Of fact in
this matter, which has been 30 suddenly brought
before us. My object is simply to set myself
right That can do. know, sir, that can
sot myself right always.
Ia presenting this memorial, performed .
simple duty. 1 had also pleasure in its per-
formance It was memorial from an emf
nent society which has enjoyed much honor in
this country, and from which memorials have
always been welcomed in Congress- from that
early memorial signed by Benjamin Franklin,
down to the present time. And it urged q
prayer which | am always glad Of an oppor-
tunity to urge
When had the honor to receive the memo
rial, some time ago, from the eminent Presi-
dent of the Society wrote to him, acknowl-
it would be important, in carrying out the de-
sires of the Society, to accompany the memo
rial with such evidences as they could present
in relation to the specific grievance set forth in
the memorial In response to that letter, 1
received from DR.. Parrish, the President TO
whom | have referred, several papers which
accompany the memorial; and also, subse-
quently, letter from gentleman Of Della
ware, personally unknown to me, and with
whom am not aware that had had any pre-
vious communication. As the letter from Del
aware related to this matter, and contained
what purported to be certificate Of facts, re-
garded as important placed it among other
papers accompanying the memorial and, I'M
der these circumstances presented them all
to the Senate. IL the letter contained any ex-
pressions justly obnoxious to Congress or dis
respectful to this body, did not take note Of
them at the time
Such sir, is my simple explanation Of these
facts. And now with regard to one suggestion
that has fallen from the Senator from Georgia,
Mr.. DAWSON, that there are persons here
who seek to arouse odium against the South, or
to create excitement and liberation Of feeling
there. say, distinctly, that am not one Of
those persons, nor do believe that any such
exist. Sir desire no such thing. desire
Justice, simply-that is all wish to see this
Union, which binds us all together, Union of
peace and harmony, in fact aud in name but,
above all, let it be q Union where freedom is
maintained by constitutional laws. And per-
NIT me to say, that just so long as an enact
ment continues on the statute bock, which
defes every sound principle of constitutional
law, and every axiom of free institutions, Sem
ators must expect that it will be met by the
strongest language of reprobation which can
come from honest hearts.
Mr.. BENJAMIN. 4 ~ Now,
sir, the Senator from Massachusetts,, on several
occasions upon this floor, has denied the obi
cation, as understand him, under the Consti-
tuition of the United States to deliver up fugi-
tive slaves from the free States to the owners
in the slave States | understand that to be
the extent Of his denial | will respectfully ask
the Senator from Massachusetts to inform me
if that is what he asserts
Mr.. SUMNER. The manner of the Senator
from Louisiana is always 80 kind and 80 much
in conformity with the proprieties of debate,
that shall have great pleasure in answering
he gets through
Mr.. BENJAMIN. simply wish to inquire
Of the Senator from Massachusetts, whether he
Acknowledges any obligation imposed by the
Constitution OF the United States, for the re-
turn Of fugitive slaves from tho free States to
those by whom they are held to service or la
Dor in the slave States That is the only quss-
ton which desire TO PROFOUND to him before
proceed with what have to say.
Mr.. SUMNER. And before answer that
question, desire to ask the Senator from
Louisiana, whether, under the clause of the
Constitution Of the United States, which ee-
cures to the citizens Of every State the priv
leges and immunitics Of citizens Of the United
States, colorcd citisen Of Massachusetts, can,
without any crime, in South Carolina or Louis
lana, be seized and thrown into prison, and
then afterwards on failure to pay certain al
legged jail fees, be sold absolutely into Slavery
Mr.. BENJAMIN. will answer that think
that il entirely unconstitutional
Mr.. SUMNER. | am very glad tina. the
Senator says it is entirely unconstitutional
will then ask the Senator If he is ready, in bis
place, to introduce an act Of Congress TO carry
out that provision Of the Constitution to secure
to the colored citizens Of the North their rights
in South Carolina and Louisiana
Mr.. BENJAMIN. This is very extraordi-
nary method Of answering question | have
heard Of the Yankee method OF answering oue
question by asking another; but this is an
swering one by asking two. [Laughter IL
was not my desire to enter into any polemical
controversy upon this subject with the honor
able Senator from Massachusetts,; but, as l
stated before, ! put the question With sincere
and earnest desire to ascertain whether be and
the gentlemen with whom he acts, or whose
organ be is upon this floor, really recognised
any constitutional obligation on tho part Of
the free States, or on the part Of Congress, to
provide for the return Of fugitive slave from
the free TO the slave States whether that
obligation exists anywhere under the Constitu-
ton Tor, in other words, whether this article
Of the Constitution was intended to apply to
slaves?
MIR. SUMNER. Before answering the ques-
ton OF the Senator, Laughter, should like to
have him deal by me as he desires me to deal
by him. should like to have him tell me
whether it is in the power Of Congress- under
the clause Of the Constitution to which ! have