The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-05-11
ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOUR
TENTH AMENDMENT.
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF JAMES II
PLATT, JR., OF VIRGINIA.

PLATT, JR, OF VIRGINIA.
Delivered in Congress ON til 5th of April, 1871.
Mr.. Speaker is there any one who be-
lieves that were this thing reversed, and
these outrages, which are being commit
ted upon the friends Of the Administra-
ton in the Southern States were being
committed by Republicans upon Demo-
Gratis in Democratic States-with a Dem
ocratic majority in both branches of
Congress, Democratic President, and an
army and navy i'll their hands that q
Democratic Congress would fail to find
constitutional warrant for extending pro.
lection TO their friends, although the State
authorities through weakness, treachery
or cowardice, should fail to call for as
sistance from the general government
The whole history Of that party forbids
such superstition; and in their days of
power they gave us a precedent which is
sufficient justification to me for the votes
] shall give on this bill and ouch amend
nients as may be offered. Is there any
gentleman on the Democratic side of this
House who is willing to admit that the
fugitive slave aw of 1850 was un@onstitu.
tlonal? I do not believe there is; and as
one Republican member from the South,
[ am willing to take that law--and
changing its wording, somewhat so as to
make the rights and privileges tn be pro
tecccd, those of loyal men and free Amer
lean citizens, instead of those Of the slave
owners-find in it ali the protection
which, as loyal citizens of the South, we
demand from the government, which
o. es US the fullest protection its laws can
extend
The constitutionality of such q law
could not be questioned, for it was affirm
ed in 1850 by the entire Democratic
party, and by the united and solid vote
of that party on this floor, forced through
this House under the operation of the pre-
vious question, no opportunity for debate
or amendment being permitted by the
then Democratic majority. Its constitu-
tonality was maintained and defended
by the party that enEetesa it as
long as :hey continued in power, and
affirmed again and again by the United
States Courts, then presided over by
| Democratic judges. | desire to call the
attention Of the House To the remarkable
provisions Of this constitutional Demo
cratic law---this act, entitled San act To
amend," &c, commonly known as 'he
fugitive slave law which passed in this
House in September, 1850, having pre-
yiuusly passed III the Senate. Its tis>t
section provides for the Appointment oi
commissioners by the circuit courts 10 OK
ecute the powers and duties prescribed
| by the act. Section three provides thai
the number of commissioners should be
extended at the discretion Of the court,
and any number appointed that might
be deemed necessary in carrying out the
provisions of the act.
Section four confers such remarkable
and extraordinary powers upon tue com
missieners that quote it in full:
"And be 1T further enacted That the
commissioners above named shall haze con-
current jurisdiction 10Th the Judges OF the
circuit and district courts Of the United
States en- their 7espectioe circuits and dis
t5scts sosthin the aeveral Stutes and the judges
of the superior courts Of the Territories,
seueraLty and c0LJectiastV, In term time md
uacdtion, and shall grant certificates to
claimants upon satisfactory proof being
made, with authority to take and remove
such fugitives from service or labor to the
State or Territory from which such person
may have escaped or fled"
Section prcscribes the duties of mar
shals who may have any number Of depu
ties, and prescribcs penalties should they
refuse to obey or ext cute all warrants or
precepts issued under the provisions of
This act when to them directed makes
them liable to the full value of any slave
Shat may escape from their custody after
arrest, and, in language which | will give
as it appears in this section, confers still
more remarkable powers upon the com
.nissioners. / quote from the section:
ssAnd the bsttcr to enable the said com.
missioners, when thus appointed, to exc
cute their duties faithfully and efficiently,
in conformity with the requirements Of
the constitution of the United States and
of this act, they are hereby authorized
and empowered within their counties, re-
spcctlvely, to appoint, in writing, under.
their hands, any one or more suitable per-
sons. from time to time, to execute all
such warrants, and other process IS may
be issued by them in the lawful perform
ance of their respective duties, with au
thority to such commissioners, or the per
sons to be appointed by them, to execute
process as aforesaid, to summon and call
to their aid the by ISLANDERS or posse conss-
tatus of the proper county, when necessa-
nv. TO insure q faithful observance of the
provisions of this act, and all good cIti.
zens are hereby commanded TO aid and as
s1st in the prompt and efficient execution
of this law, whenever their services nay
be required, as aforesaid, for that purpose
and said warrants shall run and be exccu
ted By said officers anywhere in the State
within which they are issued"
Section imposes fine and imprisonment
on any person who shall willingly hinder
the arrest of q fugitive or shall attempt