The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-03-08
THE DEMANDS OF FREEDOM.
SPEECH OF HON. CHARLES SUMNER,
IN THE
SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
lis motion 10 Repeal The Fagitire Stare Biz.
February %, 1855.

Mr.. SUMNER Mr. President, on a former oc-
casion, as Slavery was about to clutch one of its
triumphs, rose TO make my final opposition 10 il
| at midnight 1t is now the same hour. Slavery
| is again pressing for its accustomed victory
which | again undertake for the moment to ar
rest. 1t is hardly accidental conjunction
which thus constantly brings Slavery and mid
night together
Since eleven O'Clock this forenoon, we have
been in our seats, detained by the dominant ma
jority which, in subservience to Slavery, has
| refused TO postpone this question or to adjourn.
All other things are neglected The various pub
lie interests which, at this late stage of the SEES
sion, all press for attention, put aside Ac-
cOrding to the usages Of the Senate Friday is
dedicated to the consideration of private claims
have been accustomed to call it our day of jus
fce and have been glad that, since these mat
tiers are referred to US, at least one day in the
week has been thus set apart But Slavery grasps
this whole day, and changes it TO day of ANUS
tee BY the Calendar, which | now hold in nv
hand, it appears that, at this moment upwards
of seventy-fve private bills, with which asso-
ciated the hopes and fears Of widows and or
phans, and Of all who come to Congress for re-
lief are on your table neglected, ay, sir sacrificed
to the bill which is now urged with so much per-
tinacity Like Juggernaut, the bill is driven over
PROSTATE victims. And here is another sacrifice
to Slavery.
But do not adequately expose the character
Of this bill when say it is sacrifice to Slavery.
1t is sacrifice TO Slavery in its most odioHs
form. Bad as Slavery may be, it is not so bad az
hunting slaves. There is n seeming apology for
Slavery at home, in the States where it prevails,
founded on the difficulties in the position of the
master and the relations of personal attachment
which il sometimes eIcites but every apology
fails when you seek again TO enslave the fugitive
whom the master could not detain by duress or
by kindness and who, by courage and intelli-
gence, under the guidance of the north star has
achieved happy Freedom. Sir, there is n wide
difference between Shareholder and Slave
Hunter
But the bill before you is TO aid in the chase Of
slaves. This is its object. This is its beings
end and aim" And this bill, with this object
i, pressed upon the Senate by the honorable Sen
ator from Connecticut, [Mr. ToUcEY.l Not from
slave soil, but from free soil, comes this effort.
Senator from the North-a Senator from New
England-lcnds himself to the work, and with
unnatural zeal helps to bind still stronger the
letters of the slave.
Mr. RUSK. Will the honorable Senator allow
me to interrupt him7
Mr.. SUMNER. Certainly
Mr.. RUSK. | ask him to point out the words
in this bill where Slavery is mentioned.
Mr.. SUMNER. am glad the Senator from
Texas has asked the question for it brings atten-
ton at once to the true character of this bill I
know its language well, and also its plausible
title On its face it purports to be bill to pro-
tect officers and other persons acting under the
authority of the United States" and it proceeds to
provide for the transfer of certain proceedings
from the State courts to the Circuit Courts of the
United States. And yet, sir, by tho admission OF
| this whole debate, stretching from noon to mid
night, it is bill to bolster up the Fugitive Slave
Act.
MIR. RUSK. | have not listened TO the debate
but ask the Senator TO point out in the bill the
place where Slavery is mentioned. IL the Consti-
tuition and laws appoint officers, and require then
to discharge duties, will he abandon them to the
mob?
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