At last, in 1850, after the subject of Slavery had been agitated in Congress without interruption for nearly twenty years, a series of propositions was adopted, and solemnly declared to be _compromises_, by which all the questions concerning Slavery were permanently settled, so as never again to vex the country,--as if any question could be permanently settled except on principles of justice. But the “gruel” was made, and among its ingredients “for a charm of powerful trouble” was a new Fugitive Slave Act, first reported from the Committee on the Judiciary by Mr. Butler, of South Carolina, but afterwards amended by a substitute from Mr. Mason, of Virginia, so as to become substantially his measure. It is needless to mention its details. Suffice it to say, that in these, as in general conception, it was harsh, cruel, and vindictive. Few statutes in history have been so utterly inhuman, not excepting even those British statutes for the oppression of the Irish Catholics, which are pictured by Edmund Burke in words strictly applicable to the monstrosity of our country:-- “That truly barbarous system, where almost all the parts were outrages on the rights of humanity and the laws of Nature,”--“a machine of wise and elaborate contrivance, and as well fitted for the oppression, impoverishment, and degradation of a people, and the debasement in them of human nature itself, as ever proceeded from the perverted ingenuity of man.”[347] Such, unquestionably, was the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which is still allowed to remain on the statute-book, a blot upon our country and age. Where a measure is so plainly repugnant to reason and authority, and on its face has so little foundation in the Constitution, any elaborate argument seems superfluous, especially at this moment, when Slavery everywhere is yielding to Freedom. The general conscience condemns the inhuman statute, and this is enough. But it is important to show how the country has been deceived. Therefore, briefly, the Committee call attention to the constitutional objections. UNCONSTITUTIONAL USURPATION OF POWER BY CONGRESS. Forgetting, then, for the moment, the Preamble of the Constitution, which speaks always for Justice and Liberty,--forgetting, also, the venerable maxim of the law, that “we must incline always in favor of Freedom,” and likewise that other maxim, that “he is impious and cruel who does not favor Freedom,”--refusing, according to the requirement of law, “to catch at anything in favor of Liberty,” and, in spite of all received rules of interpretation, assuming that the words of the fugitive clause adequately define fugitive slaves,--the question then arises, if this clause, thus defiantly interpreted, confers any power upon Congress. Clearly not.