Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-08

because he was prominent member OF the
administration under which the bill was enact
ed and by which it was approved; the ad-
ministration, in fact which undertook to
crush outopposition to the bill by means of the
doctrine ofconstructive treason. And yet Mr..
Corwin states that as member of Con-
gress he should have voted against the bill !
| He was not made to be cold-blooded bunker.
His natural impulses are not on that side and
when he fairly gets on the Republican harness,
we think he will be heard from in such
style as will fully confirm what we say.
The most notable criticism on Mr.. Corwin's
declaration in favor of unfolding the Fugitive
Slave bill comes from Mr.. Giddngs, whose
protest appears in the last issue of the Ashtab-
ula Sentinel, over his own name. He undoubt-
edly speaks the sentiments of very large ma
jority of the people of the free States. In his
letter, which is addressed to Mr.. Corwin, he
gives the following pertinent Renaissance =
"You cannot have forgotten the conversation
between us when you were about to enter the
Cabinet of Mr.. Fillmore. then gave it as
my opinion that Mr.. Webster would be the rul-
ing spirit of that Administration, and stated
to you in emphatic language that his subSerrien-
cy to the Stare poacer UOatd ruin any admniStrd-
ton. | told you what l kne,o, when | stated
that you were selected expressly for the pur-
pose of giving popularity to Mr.. Webster's
subserviency. speak of these things in sor-
row, and not in anger You were a favorite
son of my own State We had stood together
in many hard-fought battle. This Fugitive
law, however, under threats and intimidation,
passed Congress, by aid of the previous ques-
ton, which cut off debate and prevented ex-
posture. | opposed it to the extent of my pow
ers, and denounced it as unconstitutional, despot-
ic, barbarous, and disgrdcetiA You, as a
member of the Cabinet, officially approved
and sustained it, and used the army
and navy of the United States to en-
force it. At that time Ue separated Ten years
have passed away. Mr. Webster has departed
the stigma of approving that law rests upon
his memory From Russia you hear the voice
OF her imperialists boasting that no act so bar
barous as that law ever insulted her people.
From philosophic Germany you have listened
to the voice of her greatest philosopher, her
purest patriot and most exalted philanthropist,
Humboldt, declaring that he hated Mr.. Web
eter on account of his completely Nth that laD.
And he spoke the voice of Christendom. Par
don me when | say you cannot roll back the
tide of reproach which is so rapidly obliterat-
ented statesman. had hoped that you would
seize upon the first opportunity to declare your
conviction OF the infamy of that measure, and
place yourself on the side of freedom"
Mr.. Giddings draws lively contrast be-
tween the sentiments of Northern Ohio, which
has made slave-hunting in that section, hence
forth, impossible, and that which prompted
Mr.. Corwin to say that if men disobeyed the
law, che would bring their heads to the
block" and justly characterizes his position
as in harmony with that slaveholding policy
which almost from the beginning has been de
faint of the original purpose of the government
and denies the equal and imprescriptible rights
of mankind. The letter closes as follows:
cat the late Republican Convention of our
State, you were one Of the committee who re-
ported that this law was destructive to the rights
OF the States, the liberties the people, AND ABB.
HoRRENT TO THE FEELINGS OF THE CIVIL.
lied WORLD. These are your own declara-
tons as they stand recorded. Yet you would
have our people surrender their rights as
State, permit their own liberties to be subvert-
ed, in order to show their respect for this fugi-
tive act. This is not Republican sentiment l
repeat blame you not for your honest opin-
ions, but you have no right to say that such
opinions are entertained by Republicans. AS
one of the Republican party, one who aided in
its formation, and has ever supported it, and
with due respect, declare them ant.Republi-
can, aatl-christidn, opposed to the honor Of our
State, the liberties OF our people, and the rights
of mankind"