The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-05-26

AMENDMENT or THE FUGITIvg-sLAyE LAW.
One Of the fruits Of know-nohingsm in the South Is
suggestion by leading southern organ that party TO
amend the fagive-slave law in regard jury trial. with
the view Of rendering it less offensive the ansasery
sentiment Of the North To give dignity aad force to the
suggestion has been said that II Mr. Clay had been pres
emit when the bill passed be would have advocated and
probably succeeded In carrying amendment requiring
every claimant of fugitive slave upon his arrest in free
State to give his bond securing TO the slave jury
trial upon his return to the State from which he had
capped such slave should declare that he entitled to
his freedom We that the Detroit Free Press alude
to this suggestion and puts right the real history Of the
passage OF the fugtvesave law showing that the feature
now proposed be inserted 10 the law originally in il
reported by the committee Of thirteen, and that 4
rejected by the Senate upon full discussion The Free
Press refers the to Mr. Cays alleged absence
when the subject before the Senate, and makes the
correction by reference TO the proceedings which is con-
elusive The danger Of reopening this question Is too APP
parent require comment and gravfed TO see that
the Free Press cordially with the JoFnsi of Com
merce in dscoun;enancng the agitation Of the subject
We copy from the Free Press as follows
swe repeat, that there is mistake in this statement
which the public records enable to correct The Prov
the compromise by Gen. Glass; fact that should
be well known it has been than asserted the
floor of the Senate, and emphacsly the 10th Of Au-
gust 1884, in discussion the general subject Upon that
occasion, Gen. Cass stated, in to suggestion OF Mr.
Mason the proposition had been presented BY him. and
by Mr. Webster, Mr.. Mason had supposed and this
confirmed by Mr.. Mangum, member of the committee
The provision agreed TO by Mr. Clay and BY majority
the committee and reported TO the Senate But, in the
first discussion which took place this subject, this
proposition objected BY Mr. Mason, by Mr.. Bor-
land, and by other southern senators. The remarks
of bir. Borland have been able to find and they
are follows On May sth, 1850, after objecting
the principles of the BILL he observed Under the present
law here would end the proceeding But under the pro-
posed one greater trouble the most vexatious and mort
flying ALL awaits him for here he has TO engage in suit
at law and have jury trial with his avep After GO
with his objections against the law and especially its
unconutionsty he said that establishing for the
purpose, and making and trying issues between master and
slave contrary TO preconceved opinions and
pugnant my of proprie that must be excused for
rejecting it, not only with promptness but with degree
of feeling Mr. Mason consequence Of his objection
the bill reported by the compromise committee introduced
another bill substitute leaving out the provision for the
jury trial This substitute adopted by majority Of the
Senate and thus this arrangement which Mr. Clay said
have thought would have been satisfactory the North
and the South, was lost bya vote of that body.
The history of this matter incidentally discussed in the
Senate August 26h 1882 when Gen. Cass remarked that be
had often been reproached with not having voted in favor of
the fugtveave Law and he said that his failure to vote
for il did not arise from any objection to the most efficient
o er ho rona;,;or f siav.s HIT ~. "a, tbo, tb;s
| r.. i a. aS;;a. e. M; 80 .;aI ~ ,,~ ,na
!us' anu P.opei po'isoi w 'nis July WAL "s' se
the bill He said
.swhon ia oon,m;t,aa ~ ,h;r,aon - M con,,ron;s.
a ~ h ,h v Ihs ~, .el n M, t ooP .in
,as nroEt;an r,.da ~ strnran fnntva slav, iau
One as rnor,ad bx that com;,iaa vhcb saem.d 10 he ac
80, M =. Z a, ~ i - ~ naaia ana !, cnntaiaad
AZ .: - 49,. $50 - r. - 4. PsoPis, :sh n.a.;sio
that II aa taken be should assert he was not
slave the after he made his decision in favor
of the master should the question To the fugitive Do
in ihaf az
yas moi slave The proyon MAS that the master or his
agent should give bond in 81 OOO without security that
WITHIN given Period aer return tnat Save h1u ps en-
d ~ N .c,pid narar cno;o and neral man n.var
could exp ain to me why that should not have been put into
the bill.
" Mr. Clemens 1t was the law already in nearly II not
al the sontherh p, states. ru..,..,
% !. o M No. th Mi H. vas s.id hv s1on,harn
gentlemen that there was such provision in their State
laws. Then why put it into the bill or we
could not interfere with State laws We only propose to re-
cure them 20 give the fugitive the Deneh. o. me State Jaws
MAJ was VA e oe nu ~ h S, L \. II H.,
had been Inserted in he bill a. il finally passed il
away great many Of the objections the
law. Mr. Clay in favor OF it, and number Of southern
gentlemen IN commttee were ID ayor OF ~ ven foole
provision in will agree thing else may put
in the bill but if do will for it, That ia
what said the beginning the middle and in the end
and what now would yield the point. That
the whole fact about it, When prepared give
should they suffer such appearance that If you
| IN ha ariy