Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-24
SPEECH OF
HON. CHARLES SUMNER,
OF MASSACHUSETTS.

the Bill to Prop up the Fugitive Slave Law and also
on bis motion to Repeal the same.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: On a former occasion,
as slavery was about TO clutch one Of its trl-
umphs, rose TO make my final opposition
to 1t at midnight. 1t is now the same hour.
Slavery is again pressing for its accustomed
victory, which again undertake for the
moment TO arrest. II is hardly an accident
al conjunction which thus constantly brings
Slavery and midnight together.
Since eleven o'clock this forenoon, we
have been in our seats, detained by the
dominant majority, which, in subservience
TO Slavery, has refused to postpone this
question or 10 adjourn. All other things
are neglected. The various public inter-
ests, which, at this late stage OF the session,
all press for attention, are put aside. Ac-
cording TO the usages of the Senate, Friday
is dedicated to the consideration of private
claims. h We been accustomed TO call il
our day of justice, and l have been glad
that since these matters are referred to us,
at least one day In the week has been thus
set apart. But Slavery grasps this whole
day, and changes ii 10 a day of Injustice.
By the calendar, which now hold in my
hand, II appears that at this moment, up
wards Of seventy-fve private bills, with
which are associated the hopes and fears Of
widows and orphans, and of all who come
TO Congress for relief, arc on your table
neglected, aye, sir, sacrificed to the bill
which is now urged with so much perth
nacity. Like Juggernaut, the bill Is driven
over PROSTATE victims. And here Is anoth-
or sacrifice TO Slavery.
But do not adequately expose the char
acler Of this bill when say it is a sacrifice
to Slavery in its most odious form. Bad as
Slavery may be, 1t is not as bad as hunting
slaves. There is seeming apology for
Slavery at home, in the States where il pre-
walls, founded on the difficulties in the po-
sition Of the master and the relations Of per-
sonal attachment which II sometimes ex-
Giles; every apology fails when you seek
| again 10 enslave the fugitive whom the mas
ter could not detain by duress or by kind
ness and who, by courage and intelligence,
| guided by the North star, has achieved a
happy freedom. Sir, there is q wide differ
ence between a STAKEHOLDER and slave
hunter.
chase of slaves. This is lis object. This Is
its beings end aud aim" Aud this bill,
with this object, is pressed upon the State
| by the honorable Senator from Connecticut
[Mr. Touceyl. OF from slave soil, but
from free soil, comes this effort. A Senator
from the North-a Senator from New Eng
land-lends himselfto the work, aud with
unnatural zeal helps to bind still stronger
the fetters OF the slave.
Mr.. RUsK. Will tue honorable Senator
allow me to interrupt him?
MIR. SUMNER. Certainly.
Mr.. RUsK. ask him to point out the
words in this bin where Slavery is men
toned.
MIR. SUMNER. | am glad the Senator
fron Texas has asked the question, for 1t
brings attention at once to the true charac.
ter OF this bill. I know its language well,
and also Its plausible title. on its face It
purports 10 be ga bill to protect officers and
other persons acting under the authority of
the United States; and it proceeds to pro-
vide FOR the transfer OF certain proceed ngs
from the State Courts TO the Circuit Courts
of the United Siates. And yet, sir, by the
dhhii,alOu VI hulS MuOlt uNDdAt, SlIeltDlnE
from noon TO midnight, it is bill to bolster
up the Fugitive Slave Act.
Mr.. RUsK. | have not listened TO the
debate, but l ask the Senator TO point out
in the bill the place where slavery is men
toned. If the Constitution and laws ap-
point officers. and require them to discharge
duties, will he abandon them to the mob?
Mr.. SUMNER. The Senator asks me TO
point out any place in this bill where sla-
very" is mentioned. Why, sir this is quite
unnecessary, l might ask the Senator to
point out any place in the Constitution of
the United States here " slavery" is mem
toned, or where the word "slave" can be
found, and he could not do 1t.
Mr.. RUsK. That is evading the question
asked tho Senator to point out in the bill
the clause where Slavery is mentioned
The bill proposes to protect officers of the
United States, whom you appoint, in dis
charging their duties. If they aIe to be un-
| protected, repeal your law.
Mr.. SUMNER. / respond to the Senator
with all my heart, 'repeal your law" Yes,
sir, repeal the Fugitive Act, which now re-
| quires the support Of supplementary legis-
lation. Remove this ground of offence.
And before 1 sit down 1 hope 10 make that
very motion. Meanwhile l evade no ques.
| ton propOunded by The honorable Senator ;
but do not consider it necessary to know
that slavery" is mentioned in the bill.
1t may not be found there in name but
Slavery is the very soul Of the bill.
Mr.. Rusk rose.
Mr., SUMNER. The Senator has inter-
rupted me several times; he may do it
more; but perhaps he had better let me go
| on.
Mr.. RUsK. l understand the Senator,
but make no boast of that sort.
Mr.. SUMNER. Very well. At least l
may be allowed TO proceed. or the bill in
question have little 10 say. It's technical
character has been exposed by various SEN
ators, and especially by my valued friend,
the Senator from Ohio, [Mr. Chasel who o.
pened this debate. Suffice il to say, that II Is
an intrusive and offensive encroachment on
State rights, calculated 10 subverl the pow
or of the States in the protection of the lib.
critics OF their citizens. This consideration
alone would be ample to secure lis rejection
If the attachment TO Stale Rights, so oflen
avowcd by Senators, were not utterly lost
in stronger attachment to Slavery. But
on these things, although well worthy of at.
teution, do not dwell. Objectionable as
the bill may be on this ground, it become:
much more so when l regard it as an effor
to bolster up the Fugitive Slave Act.
ofthis act il is difficult to speak with mod
Grafton. Conceived in defiance of the Con
stitution, and in utter disregard of every
sentiment of justice and humanity, 1