Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-02-22


of your power SO as to relieve you OF the tempta-
ticn and US Of the apprehension in regard to thess
matters. Ht
Article Eve il to give to the owner pay for savos
forcibly or fraudulently tken from him by mohs
TO which bear serious objection. These are the
leading features of this proposition. Il Is not sir,
what each individual man would 10 willing to ac-
eept, that should cngage debsragions; but what
propositions will heal tho wounds that new ailiet
our common country, call back our sisters, who have
ip moment Of anger, become ~trangcd. and once
more form the family cirrle around our national
hearthstone. Sir, ain net welded 10 any set phra
ses, or TO any mans proposition. | am willing,
ready, and eager to accept substantial justice at the
hands Of the North at any nomcnt. | care nos who
makes the propcson; nor win csyil about words J
this prefer to any which has yet been offered II
would be political empyricisn in US to pass as q
compromise that which would not reconstruff oqr
shattered Uuion, and hush the wild storm (which
now sveeps aver tho land. And this pruposisnn,
or some proposition with this as basis, nI,ist be
passed to effect that desired object.
Mr. Speaker, now pas 70 lbe consideration Of
tho propositions OF the majority OF the committee
of thirtythree, as reported by their chairman Mr..
Coswin, not stopping TO consider the anendment--
that Of 4r. Burch Of California. which is propo-
sitlou Ter q convgnton Of all ttn States As COM
promise Of differenccs regret that osnscien-
tious discharge of what regard "a my duty 70 my
leonstitaents will compel W withheld nay assent
from many of the measures ofored by the commit
tee. stand with my distinguished colleague, who
served Oh the committee, Mr. Nelson, iu opposition
to the propositions of tho committee, and in favor
Iof thnt offered by Mr. Orittendeu. would shate
sir, that can never give my assent TO the following
resolution, which is one of tho series offered by
the committee Of thirty-three:
"Resolved That we rocognso slavery a. now ex-
isting in htean Of the United States by the usageS
and laws of these States; and we recognize NO au-
thority, legally or otherwise, outside of State
where it exists To interfere with slaves slavery
such States in disregard of the rights OF their
owners or the peace Of sooiesy"
This, sir expressly excludes slavery from svon
Recognition in the Constitution Of the United States
although the Supreme Court declares, as we have
heretofore seen, that it is expressly recognized in
the Constitution as property and that il is the duty
of the Federal Government to guard and protect the
owner in his right TO bis property in his slave, and
places even the right Of property exclusively in tho
laws Of the State. Now sir, 1t ID true that slavery
existed in Of the States before the Constitution
was formed, and consequently oxists independently
OF 1t; but when that instrument was formed, 1t ex-
pressly recognized it portion Of the property Of
the citizens and which the Government is bound 10
protect and defend.
In regard to the right Of the General Government
to abolish slavery u the District of Columbia, or in
places under the exclusive jurisdiction Of Congress
situate in the slave Sates aud tho Interstate slave
trade they say that the committee does not deem It
necessary to take action, as there are PROPOSE
tioss from any quarter 70 interfere with slavery
I, therein.
Now, sir, submit to the distinguished gsntlemen
who compose the majority of that committee, il
this is meeting the question fairly. Surely it can
: not have been forgotten by the gontlemcn Of this
committee that at the last session Of this Congress
= 10 ~ iptx off,
ing not only the right but The duty Of Congress to
abolish slavery wherever it had exclusive jurisdio-
tion; and it was voted for by considerable portion
of the Republican party. And then sr, If the fact
that no one is proposing to move in the subject be
reason sufficient for tho committee 10 wthhold any
proposal in regard to it. would inquire who is pro
1t posing to abolish slavery in the States Aud ye
IT the committee propose an amendment 10 the Con
l. stitution TO prevent ths-a right which IL mol
,e claimed by any this floor, but expressly re
o pudiated. The proposed change in the present as
o for the rendition OF fugitive slaves ia, in my judg
IS ment il-timed and can have no other efoct thar
TO create in the minds Of southern bad feeling
If and excitement And it not only essens the efici
sncy OF the law, in my judgment but adds very
materially to the trouble and costs OF reoaiming
9 fugitive slave- But my time will not permit me Il
y so more fully into this matter, and must pass OF
= to the last proposition of the cOmmttee-the pro
= posed amendment of the law for the rendition o
= fugitves from justice-which is as follows:
Amendment Of the act for the rendition Of fugitive
10 from justice.
IS "Ben enacted By The Ssndts and House Of Rsprs
10 setatiues Of the United States Of America IL Con
% gress assembled That every person charged, by in
IS dctmen other satisfactory evidence in auy State
10 with treason felony or other crime committed with
6 in the jurisdiction of said State, who shall fee o
6 shsl have fed from justice and be found in anothe
IS State, shall on demand Of the executive authorit
= of the State from which he fed upon the distric
- Judge of the United States Of the district in whie
= he may be found be arrested aud brought befor
such judge, who, on being satisfied that he is tn
person charged, and that he was within the jursdic
lion of such State al tue time such crime was com
lntted, of which such charge shall -bs prnia .faci
evidence, shall deliver him up to be removed to tb
70 State having jurisdiction OF the crime and il I'M
10 question of law shall ariEe during such oKamina
tion it may be taken on exceptions by writ Of srro
10 to the circuit court"
y Now, sir, will read the provision in the Const
!, tuition in regard 10 tho rendition Of fugtVcs froI
Justice. 1t says;
,o "A person charged in any State with treason, fel
ony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice an
be found in another State, shall, on the demand {
the executive authority Of the Stale from which
fed, be delivered up TO be removed u the Stat
IN having jurisdiction of the crime"
IN Now, sir II is proposed not 10 deliver tue iugltv
"a upon q charge as is provided In tho Constitution
a but il must be proven that he Ia the State a
ID the time the crime is alleged TO have boen commit
a ted Can gentemen baye forgotten that at thi
~ very time there ia controversy between the State
I'd Of Virginia aud Ohio, growing out Of the job
se Brown raid2 One OF Browns sons and Mr.. Acl
ram are charged as accessories before the fact to th
il murders committed at Harper's Ferry. The Gov
n ernor Of Ohie refuses 10 give them up 70 Vrgnii
"a because he alleges that the defendants were not
H. Virginia at the time Of the Harper Ferry murder
ip and this amendment comes very opporuneiy In sur
I'd port of Governor Dennison, Sir, whatever may )
ia the strict rns Of criminal law We cannot long be
lie peace with coterninous government much Lass
in confederate State which will permit is citizens
~ fit out armed bands Of maurader against our peac
b. or furnish poison 70 our sluves and be shioIied b
~ their State from punishment can never vote 70
Ie this amendment sir which, II adopted, will fea
a. lead 70 much mischief and Infinite trouble. b,
Ia there are many OF the propositions Of the commit