Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-15
CONGRESS.
.........
departed for ire NdfiiNGt IYfetiigencer
DEBATE IN THE SENATE,
on TIE scNioN OF MAINE AND MISSOURI


Maine into The Union, With The amend
ihenl reported thereto which, embraced
HE case OF Missouri also
nv. ROBERTS. o! Pennsy lvania, aioved
10 amend Tie said amendment bv adding
thereto tho iollowing:-
F" Provided, that The further iniroduc-
tion into said state Of persons to be
held TO slavery or involuntary serviiude
within tie same, shall he absolutely and
irrev0cabiy prohibited"
the raid amendment having been read,
Mr. ROBERTS said his objection TO the
order followed IN the introduction of this
b'il was serious one. lr,eguiariiy le-
sisla'ivr proceedings ought always 20 be
aVoldei but m0reesprclally on a question
laying Tue foundation of great comma
MY: have thought. said he, anu sal
tmnk, (wlili Difference 10 the decision had,
u ma been an unfortunate course, ami
That tins will be more apparent as we pro
Srcss. Many remarks which fell from
gentlemen IN the discussion hitherto had,
now invite reply. have ;alsen some care
10 arrange my thoughts for iial purpose
bui have determined 10 withhold ihem
al this time. The subject we are enter
ins upon Is one OF great magnitude /;
claiming the coolies, exercise of the ia
cui'Ics of the understanding, aud the
absence from the mind of all sorts of
passion very much desire To- avoid
touching any and every subject, how
ever pertinent, calculated 10 awaken i'm
patience or dissatisfaction. or 10 use
language which may be Justly executed
TO, is incompatible with This declaration.
~ has sometimes been permitted, in
Gods providence, that people should
deliberately Tx The great principles Of
their policy, under circumstances happily
calculated 10 secure 10 themselves, and
ii;cir posterity lie high blessings OF his
benevolent justice, SO as 10 promise The
tuitilment OF the great end for which he
created man-bappincSs. Such was the
occasion when these states declared
themselves tree and independent such
was 1t that secured 10 the pcopi Of the
North Western Territory the fundamental!
principles OF civil and religious liberty :;
and SUCH iet me observe, and not least ~
importance, Is that on which ne are de-
iiberaiing. The people of these happy
siales weTe the hrst who prOclainIt d, be-
fore The UnIvrTs "rhai all men are ere
ated equal that they are cndnwed bN
their Creator with certain unalienable
rights; that among these ate life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness thai, 10
stiiuted among men, deriving their last
powers from The consent OF tic governed"
pray you, sir, go back wits me to the
memorable era OF which ] am speaking.
How stood The affairs OF our ancestors
when they adopted these truths as the
maxiUs of their policy The power OF
one ot the mlghtiesl nations of the
earth was raised 10 crush them that
power was directed BY vindiciive spirit
OF az IncenSed king and parliament, and
prrIudlced people. A large mass of The
people Of AmeTica, adhered 10 the mother
country, ready TO become her willing IN
siInmeDlS III the worst scenes OF the SAN
gmnary conflict. The STATES were without
government, without allies, without re-
venue, without arms, without military
organizations. In such STATE Of things.
under such circumstances, thew called
tie Supreme Judge of the world 10 Wit
ness tlaI, as 10 them, his laws had been
violated, and IL had become their duiy 10
resist oppression, and on The purify oi
their motives they invoked the protecting
arm OF his providence, and plIgh1ed their
lives, Their fortunes, and their sacred ho-
nor TO vIndicate lie truth, that govern
meuts ought 10 secure 10 all men fho
uualPnable rights Of life, liberty, aud the
pursui. Of happiness. What a prodigy
Truths that the speculative philosopher,
ant retired philauihropist tad hardly
veDtured 10 indulge, were now proclaim
ed, as the bright gem which was TO be
obtained cheaply, at the cost Of every
danger man could encounter. All IiIai
before was wonderful, sunk into liilleness
The tanning hopes Of humanity were
revived the world was irradialrd by the
nt n
Justice crying from the wilderness, viii
iher the arm Of tyranny had banishcd
her Despair not, 80 oppressed nations
| My temples ave not every ahere desolaie
There Is still people determined and
| able TO vlndicaIe my empire The pledg.
| IL. gave was redeemed: the arm o.: ,i,al
| Providence, bVSoughi with all The frryen
| Cv OF The prayers OF suffering virtue. Uas
extended TO good men, engaged in a JUS
| cause, who had sworn ~ establish ibt
] great principles OF social liberty, or fall
! wiling victims 10 The high attempt. III,
! oppressor was humblpd TO acknowledge,
| oar country vas, ana Of right ought to Do
! free and independent. Magnanimous al
| lies bad been obtained during tl,c contest
| aud the recognition OF tie lndependeuc,
OF our county by Britain, removed IN,
! last CaVeat 10 our admissions iulo The com
muuity OF nations. History informs ms
though independence and peace had beer
achieved, sill much remained to b,
done, by wise policy and just laws, Il
secure the benefit OF The great principle,
consccraled al the birth of our poliiica
community.
In 1857 an occasion offered more rcIici
'ous than HAT in which tie faculties o
sovereign power were assumed, 10 appI,
ihe just. social principles, uaanimorsl,
recognized 10y ;le great act OF the Con
! grcss Of l776. The ccssion Of Tie oor,I
western territory by The several stale