The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-03-10
Ma. wEBsTER,s SECOND Speech,

Mr.. WEBSIEh'6 SECONO 0rEEOIl,
ON Mr.. FooT's RESOLUTION.
IN Ssnats--Jan. 26, 1880.
TContinued.]
spoke, sir, Of the ordinance Of 1857, which
prohibited slavery, in all future times, north
west of the Ohio, as measure of great wisdom
and foresight; and one which had been attend
cd with highly beneficial and permanent conse-
quences supposed, that, on this point, no
two gentlemen in the Senate would entertain
different opinions. But, the simple expression
of this sentiment has led the gentleman, not
only into q labored defence Of slavery, in the
abstract, and on principle, but, also, into warm
accusation against me, as having attacked the
system Of domestic slavery, now existing In the
Southern States. For all this, there was not
the slightest foundation, in any thing said or
intimated by me. did not utter single word,
which any ingenuity could torture into an at
tack on the slavery Of the South. | said only
that it was highly wise and useful, in legislat-
ing for the north western country, while 1t was
yet q wilderness, to prohibit the Introduction OF
slaves; and added, that | presumed IN the
neighboring State of Kentucky, there was no
rejecting and intelligent gentleman, who would
doubt, that il the same prohibition had been
extended, at tho same carly period, over that
Commonwealth, her strength and population
would, at this day, have been far greater than
they are. If these opinions be thought doubt
ful, they are, nevertheless, trust, neither ex.
traordinary nor dsrsspectful. They attack no.
body, and menace nObOdy. And yet, sir, the
gentlemans optics have discovered, even in the
mere expression Of this sentiment, what he
calls the very spirit Of the Missouri question !!
He represents me as making an onset on the
whole South, and manifesting a spirit which
would interfere with, and disturb, their domes-
tic condition Sir, this injustice no otherwise
surprises me, than as il 10 done here, and dons
without the slightest pretence of ground for it..
say it only surprises me, as being done here;
for | know, full we'll, that it is, and has been
the settled policy Of some persons in the South,
for years, to represent the people Of the North
as disposed to interfere with them, in their own
exclusive and peculiar concerns. This is a
AalieAte and sensitive point, in Southern feel;
ing; and OF late years, IL has always been
touched, and generally with effect, whenever
the object has been TO unite the whole South
against Northern men, or Northern measures.
This feeling, always carefully kept alive and
maintained at too intense q heat to admit dis
elimination or reflection, is q lever OF great
power in our political machine. II moves vast
bodies, and gives to them one and the same d.
rection But the feeling is without adequate
cause, and the suspicion which exists, wholly
groundess. There is not, and never has been,
q disposition in the North to interfere with these
interests Of the South. Such interference has
never been supposed to be within the power of
Government; nor has Il been in any way, at
TEMPTED. It has always been regarded as n
matter of domestic policy, left with the States
themselves, and with which the Federal Gov
eminent had nothing to do, Certainly, sir, |
am, and ever have been of that opinion. The
gentleman, indeed, argues that slavery in the
abstract, is no evil. Most assuredly, 4 need not
say differ with him, altogether and most wide.
", on that point regard domestic slavery as
one Of the greatest evils, both moral and politi-
cal. But, though it may be malady, and
whether II be durable, and If SO, BY what means;
or, on the other hand, whether it be the UuLnus
immedicabile Of the social system, leave it to
those whose RICH. and duty it is to inquire and
to decide. And this, believe, sir, is, and uni.
formly has been, the sentiment Of the North
Let us look q little at the history of this matter
Whenthe present Constitution was submitted
for the ratification of the People, there were
those who imagined that tho powers of tho Gov.
ernment which il proposed to establish, might
perhaps, in some possible mode, be exerted in
measures tending TO the abolition of slavery
This suggestion would of course attract much
attention in the Southern Conventions In that
of Virginia, Gov. Randolph said I'll hope
there is none here who, considering the subject
in tho calm light of philosophy, will make an
objection dishonorable to Virginia-that, at the
moment they are securing the rights of their
citizens, an objection is started, that there is q
spark Of hope that those unfortunate men, now
held in bondage, may, by the operation Of the
General Government, be made free"
[Mr. Webster then mentioned that at the
first Congress memorials were presented
from Pennsylvania requesting Congress to
promote the abolition of slavery by such
power as it possessed. A committee of sew
en- was appointed, who reported resolutions
one Of which was that " Congress have nc
authority TO interfere in the emancipation oil
slaves, or in the treatment of them in any oil
the States" The resolution was adopted
IN March, 1870. The committee were all
northern men with one exception, and two
thirds OF the House were northern men also
From that day to this il has never been
maintained or contended that Congress had
any authority to interfere with slavery in
the States.
The fears Of the South, whatever fears thew
might have entertained, were alayed and qui.
eted BY this carly decision and so remained
I'LL they were excited afresh, without cause but
for collateral and indirect purposes. When II
became necessary, or was thought SO, by some
political persons, to find an unvarysing ground
for the exclusion OF Northern men from conf.
dsnce and from lead in tho affairs Of tho Re-
public, then, and not tlll then, the cry was rails.
cd, and tho feeling ndustriousy excited, that
the influence Of Northern men in tho public
councils would endanger The relation Of master
and slave. For myself, claim no other merit,
than that this gross and enormous injustice TO-
wards tho whole North, has not wrought upon
me to change my opinions, or my political con-
'dnct. hope l am above violating my princi.
pies, oven under the smart Of injury and false
imputatieRs Unjust suspicious and unteservcd