Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-07-01

! "a IN Onr de
nunciaton, but only by vulgar men,
Mr. President differ from the honorable Senator from
South Carolina, (Mr. BUTLER who said as understood
him. that this law had not done its Office Sir It has dom
its Office To be there instances where Il Ia,
been violated by brutal mobs there instances
other laws being evAded by knavery snced by brute
force but say the law has done its Office we'll done Il
recent memorable occasion in the very city Of Mas
sachusets which the Senator claims Worthiy
sent but the enlightened patriotism< net of whose
citizens, believe, think Of him dcN1n that city
within the last fortnight it has done ts Office and done
1t in the presence Of mob which that Senator and his
reused and nfamed the very verge Of
subecting them to traitors DOOM while he and his
associates sat here and kept themselves aloof from dan
ger Yes sir it executed under these circumstances
and executed by that power that is bound to execute it
the Government Of the whole United States.
Mr.. President did think could have been drawn
INTO debate on this subject should not have engaged
IN II but that thought il right vndcate the law from
the msconstructon which placed by the honor
able SENATOR before the country in reference the ha
deds corpus But, sir, may say neither that law nor
any other law could require yndication from attacks
made by one mad enough to to the american
Senate and the American people that although the Con-
stituton provides that fugtves from service shall be
rendered up, he would recognise himself dog
he to execute that provision lie has said in the
of that American Senate who witnessed his oath
support, protect and defend that Constitution and
his appeal to his God 70 witness the truth and sincerity
OF his purpose Why sir, am speaking Of fanatic,
one whose is dethroned? Can such expect
to make Impressions upon the American people from his
yapid vulgar defamation here, accompanied by de-
caration that he would violate his oath now recently
taken?
Well, sir the Senator attempted to institute compare
son between the stamp act, resisted by
cestry and resistance to the fugitive slave law Sir he
was we'll answered by the honorable and distinguished
Senator from South Carolina and in those days the peo
pie he represents now shareholders. cannot be-
eve he represents them now, although they slave
holders longer Sir, think might venture upon the
Office Of vindicatng his people from the aspersons
their representative has cast upon them Let the honor
able Senator remember that he says he would be dog
to surrender fugitive slave, although the Constitution
imposes the duty on his State, and he has sworn to
obey it.
Let me recall him to that page in our history which
shows that by the vote of Massachusetts and the other
New England States, the nterdict placed this very
Constitution against prohibiting the African slave trade
Sir, the New England States at that day, with Massa
chusets at their head knowing that the first at Of the
American Congress would be to prohibit the African slave
trade voted all of Them to take that power from Con-
gress to continue the slave trade for twenty years
after its adoption and up to the year 1908 These are
the people whom he dares say before the Ameri
can Senate, would be depraved, and SINFUL and mean,
and odious and dogs il they recognised the exist
ence of slavery. What more did they do? Why, sir
they enjoyed that trade the carriers Of the slaves from
Africa through those twenty years for which they had
and within period suits have been brought
in Southern States bonds executed the purchase of
slaves from these very New England slave importers
Now Mr.. President, believe the Senate will agree
with me that unworthy the occasion may BE- it is diff
hcult to be silent; yet confess almost feel that owe
apology to the Senate for having spoken in this de-
bate know shall owe an apology to those who sent
here for noticing it from such quarter and in such
presence
Mr.. PETIT. have lived to witness today what I
had hoped should live to witness. had hoped that
the silent clod would have covered me before should
hear fall from the lips of Senator who had sworn to sup
port the Constitution of the United States avowal that
he would not support it, avowa that he disregarded
oil such obligations; that it was dross with him.
Mr. President have objection to the reception or
the proposed reference of this petition. have always
the unlimited right of the people to memo
raze petition Congress in FORM for any object that
might be constitutonay acted upon here That may
repeal modify the existing any
other fugitive slave law there be doubt That the
law as it is is constitutional entertain doubt That
have the constitutional power to make it less rigid
more rigid, to abrogate it entirely, there be no
question. The proposed reference of the petition is
think, the legitimate one. However ready may be to
say that Iwond not grant the prayer of petition which
sent here cannot be induced to throw the least bar
rier In Of the reception and proper reference of
petition in regard to any subject upon which may
and legitimately act
Nay, sir, 60 further. believe that to-day, If the peo
pie of Massachusetts the people Of any other portion
Of this country should send in petition and it should
be laid upon your table, AID its reference moved to the
judiciary Committee, of which have the honor to be
MEMBER praying that this body should expel member
who had sworn to support the Constutionthe sacred
bond Of our tnionand in faces in open Senate had
iisoWned it. and positively asserted that he would not
orce it, should vote for its reception should vote for
is reference, but will not say how should report it,
hough am inclined to think should report in favor of
granting their prayer and expelling that member
Sir Senators not to be tolerated here who openly
Ind boldly in the face Of the country and of the Senate
ay that they would violate their oaths. Sir addressing
Mr. SUMNER, in stepping to that desk, laying your hand
upon the Gospel Of God swearing that you would support
he Constitution and placing the book to your lips, Civ
seal and assurance that your heart well
cquesced in what you said you made reservation Of
clause any article any section any line any word
No mental reservation could be allowed You swore that
Tou would support all and singular each and every part
rom beginning to end, the commencement and the end
ng inclusive; and you in the face Of your peers
PEERS did say hate to the wordare the first in
hc Senate of the United States to openly declare you
would violate the oath you have taken and the bond Of
Union your ancestors made for you.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator will address |
,he Chair.
Mr. PETIT. am certainly not out Of order. | say |
f such petition memorial sent here should
willing receive and refer it, and if referred to my
committee should be willing to act it, though will
not say how would act 1t is suggested to me that he
could have taken his seat il he had made such
seraton at the time Of taking the OATH and that he ought
not to hold it after he makes the reservation
Mr.. President should have taken part in this dis
cussion butfor reference made 10 by the Senator
from Massachusetts,, auson understood by every Sc
nator and by the country. have not uttered here
elsewhere any thing to retract have nothing to with
draw g never tread backwards" but always go on
ward unless meet barrier that stops me. That Sc
nator has said that if those things 60 on it viii become
saying it has already been said this foor
that the Declaration Of Independence self evident lie
Mr.. President, let for moment turn you to that
clause Of the Declaration Of Independence to which
ference is made. What is it? ''Wc hold these truths
to be self evident that all men equal moi
nd yetof in fba