Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-05-05
CoRN1N ON THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.


CoRNIN ON THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW.
On the 25th ult., Corwin spoke in the House,
and the telegraph gives the following report Of his
remarks.
Mr.. COrwin in reply to Mr.. Elliotts alluson to
him. said that he did not agree to all the provisions
Of the Fugitive Slave Law. If no had been in
Congress when it passed he would not have voted
for it, preferriug the old law. lie thought there
was no constitutional warrant FOR one Of its pro-
visions but there was higher authority tn IN him
self when he was a member of Mr. Fillmore 8
Cabinet. lie said the bill was constitutional, and
hence assented to the Presidents approval Of it.
Mr.. Corwin resuming, said be had doubt as to
the ConsIitutonality Of that provision of the law
of 1850, which authorizes the Courts to appoint
the Commissioners, and regretted that they were
not to be appointed by tbs President By AMI with
the advice of the Senate. Owing to their judicial
functions the old men who framed the Constitution
determined that our rights should not rest on ira
diton like the Britsh country, but they wrote and
printed our Constitution go that there might be no
mistake about it, Were there no fugitive law
Southern man could go into the free States and
with the Constitution in his hand, reclaim the TO-
gitive because the Constitution gave the right, and
said II person soil shall be delivered up.
the trainers of the Consdtution put this construc-
ton and therefore n,sst he adhered to-
Messrs. Carter Elliott and Dawes controverted
the positions of Mr.. Corwin, who in his further
remarks kept the Committee in remarkably good
hamor.
When his hour expired there was general ac-
- L l..
Mr.. Curtiss wished to know how much time he
wanted.
Mr.. Corwiu thought he would get through be-
fore the Chicago Convention. Laughter |
lie made some good natured hits at the South
which we're all received in similar spirit. lie
said among other things. that some would dissolve
the Union because their negroes run SO fast
they could not reach them, but they should recol
lect thas these negroes have to run through s!av,
States before they get to free. Why not kill tht
negroes South because they do not catch the fu
gitiVes Laughter John Brown got up 3 scheme
in Chatham to operate in Virginia contrary to our
laws. Why not call on the British government to
deliver up those engaged in that transaction II
there other reason why this was not done.
it was because Great Britain wants our cotton and
We don't desire to - 70 war with her. Laughter
1t would not be long before Massachusetts, fol-
lowing the example Of Indiana. would pass law
prohibiting free negroes coming thither, and so il
would be with other free States when they found
that they W ere going to have negro pauper pop
ula,ion. The Republican party IS rot opposed to
the recovery Of fugitive negroes thero was not
ono inia hundred thousand ho would not under
nl.lo G.
legislation. verybody knows that we would not
be in our present position if it had not been for
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise. His
speech was generally moderate and conclialory,
The Committee arose and the Uyuse adjourned.