Year: 1861

provision giving different fee where the commits


sioner decides to deliver the slave to the claimant,
from that which is given where lie decides to dis


charge the alleged save; the law declares that in


the latter case he shall have but Eve dollars while


in the other he shall have ten dolars-twice the


amount in one case than the other. The reason for


this is very obvious. In case he delivers the SER


want to his claimant he is required to draw out a


lengthy certificate stating the principal and sub


stantial grounds which his decision rests and to


return him either to the marshal or to the claimant
to remove him to the State from which he escaped.
1t was for that reason that larger fee WIS given


to the commissioner where he had a larger service
TO perform. But sir, the act being viewed unfavo-
rably and with great prejudice ia certain portion


of the country this regarded very obnoxious,
+ because it seemed to give au inducement TO the


commissioner to return the slave to the master he


thereby obtnined the larger fee of eu dollars in
stead of the smaller one of FIVE dollars. | have
said let the fee be the same in both cases.


! have understood furthermore, sir, that mas
much the fifth section Of that law worded
somewhat vaguely its general terms had admitted
of the construction in the Northern States that all


the citizens we've required, upon the summons of
the marshall TO go with him to hunt up MS they ex-
press it, aud arrest the slave; and this is regarded
D as obnoxious. They have said, "in the Southern
States you make no such requistion Oh the citzcn


nor do we, sir The section, construed according to
the intention of the trainers of it suppose, only


intended that the marshal should have the same


right in the execution of process for the arrest of
slave that he has in all other of process that


he is required to execue-to call on the posse comi-


Qts for assistance where he is resisted in the exc
cution of his duty, where, having executed his
duty by the arrest attempt is made TO the
: slave. | propose such an amendment as will obvi-


ate this difficulty and limit the right of the master
and the duty of the citizen TO where as in


gard to all other process persons may be called up





e Of the laws


have provided further sir, that the amendments
c to the Constitution itself, shall be unalterable,
e thereby forming permanent and Interchangeable ba-
: sis for peace and tranquility among the people,
d Among the provisions in tie present Constitution
e which have by amendment proposed TO render
unalterabe, is that provision in the first article


the Constitution which provides the rule for repre-
It sentaton including in the computation three-ffths
= of the slaves. That is to be rendered unchangea
C bic. Another is the provision for the delivery o
y fugitive slaves. This is to be rendered uAchangca
n bic.


And with these provisions, Mr. President it seems
i TO me we have solid foundation upon which may


our hopes for the restoration of peace aud gooC
will among all the States of this Union and all tn,
e people. propose, sir to enter into no particular
Y discussion. have explained the gederal scope ant
i object of my proposition. provided further, which
E, | ought to mention that there having been somt
difficulties experienced in the courts of the United
States in the Sonth in carrying into execution tht
v laws prohibiting the African slave trade all addi
e tions and amendments which may be necessary I,
l. those laws render them tffectual should be i'm
e mediatey adopted by Congress, and especially th
provisions of those laws which prohibit the impor
p tation of African slaves into the United States.
l. have provided it Recommendation to all the
l. States of the Union that whereas laws have beer
d passed of unconstitutional character, land al


nf hat Il
l. with the constitutional acts of Congress- whicl
in their operation hinder delay the proper execu
r. ton of the acts of Congress- which laws nul
al and void, and yet, though null and void, they hay
er been the Of mischief and discomfort in tn
s. country under the extraordinary circumstance
lie IN which we are placed; have supposed that
T. would not be improper or unbecoming in Congress
of to recommend to the States both North and South
the repeal of all such acts of theirs intende
Of to obStruct the operation of the acts of Congress
ht which, in their operations and in their application
r have been made use of for the purpose of sue
hindrance and opposition and that they viii repea


those laws or make such explanation OF correction
f of them as to prevent their being used for any sue
X mischevous purpose.


C. have endeavorcd to look with impartiality fror
al one end of country to the other; have endes
to vored to search up what appeared to to be tn


causes of discomfort pervadng the land and,


far as am capable Of doing SO, have endeavore


to propose remedy for them. / am far from bt


lieving that, in the shape in which present thes


measures they will meet with the btance Of IL


Senate. 1t will be sufficiently gratifying it, wit
all the amendments that the superior knowledge


the Senate may make to them, they SHALL to an


elfectual extent, quiet the country.


~ Mr.. President, great dangers surround us. I'll


Union of these States is dear to the people of IL


United States. The long experience OF its blessing


the mighty hopes of the future have made 1t de,


to the hearts of the American people. Whatev'
81 polilcians may say; whatever of dssensions ma
We in the heat of party politics, be created among
ne people when you come down to the question of Il
'w existence OF the Constitution that is question b.
hu yond all party politics. that is question OF life
NJ death. Tne Constitution and the Union the Ii
ia OF this great people-yes, sir. the life Of life.
'e all desire 10 preserve them, North and South tn
ne is the universal desire But some OF the Southel
eu States, smarting under what they conceive to
ry aggressons OF tner Northern brethren aud of No
ie thern States not conented TO continue this u
se ion and are taking steps formidable steps, towar
ne dissolution OF the Union, and towards the anarcl
''e and the bloodshed fear, which are TO follow.


say, sir, we are in the presence OF great events
nse We must elevate ourselves to the level Of the occ
en sion. No party warfare about mere party measur
Try ought now to engage our attention. They IL
tes behind they are dust in the balance The life, Il
re- existence OF our country, our Union, is the NIGH
in question; and VIC must elevate ourselves 10
lu those considerations which belong to this high su
IS ject.


of | hope therefore gentlemen will be disposed
we bring the sncerest spTit OF concaton the snice
nd est spirit and desire 10 adjust all these dcultit
So and TO think nothing OF any little concession
ce, opinion that they may make, II thereby the Cons
nd tuition and the country can be preserved.
MI The great difficulty here, sr-I know it, reco
Dg nize il as the difficult question: particularly wi
nc, the gentlemen from the North-ls the admission
OF this Inc OF division for the territory and the
oi milton of slavery on the one side, and the prohlt
lo ton Of it the other. The recognition of slave
or ON the Southern side of that line Is the great din
'ne Guilty, the great question with them Now, L
eif seech them to think, and you, Mr.. President al
TO- all TO think, whether Tor such com mlaratve Tn
nu as that the Union OF Ihis country is to be sacrifice
'ne Have we realized To ourselves the momentous co
su- sequences OF such an eyent2 This is mighty el
on pre Its existence spreads its Influence througho
tne ihe civilized world. Its overthrow would be I