Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-01-27
FsscMty-fath CorlgFess---2d Seas.
IN SENATE.
Wednesday,, January 10, 1913.

lulions together with The substitute offered by Mr. Clay
OF Kentucky for Mr.. Calhouns fifth resolution in lela
ton to slavery in the District Of Columbia and the Ter
ritor!es.
Mr. Clay modified his substitute by striking out what
related to the Infringement Of the Constitution by abo
ton in the District Of Columbia, without coDpe nsation
for the slaves :Ass
Mr. CaIhsun rose and said that he had examined the
amendmentsof the Senator from Kentucky, (Hr Clay)
which had been Offered as4 Substitute for the fifth reso
luton. and that ii impossible for him 10 bring his
mind to givashs support TO vote for ii it It should
be adopted KEaany Thing like its present shape he
would very HAfy state his reasons.
H. in The first place. entirely abandoned the Terrific
ries the abolitioniss His fifth resolution covered
both this District and the Territories but the amendment
wholly omitted the latter and left them deienceess TO
the invasion.uf the foe.
Fle next Objected that it conceded, by almost Dccrs.
sary implication the rig Of Congress 10 appropriate the
public funds purchase md emanc pate slaves; con-
ccsson among the most dangerous aud unconstitutional
TINT could be made If once admitted, it would he very
easy to complete the end the abuonists havo in view
and that wholly nj expense. II yield that point
the work will soon be cnnsummatcd
His next objection was, that it implicitly admitted j!
10 be the duty of Congress 10 receive and discuss petit
lions to abolish slavery in the District in his opinion
most unounded and dangerous assumption; but he had
fully expressed his opinion on that pont on former
occasions that he would not occupy the time Of he
Sennla in repeating the reasons for his opinion.
He finally objected that the tone of the amendment
u
altogether too low for the subject and the occasion He
was ,ycrsc 10 all violence Of language in the expression
of legislative opinions but when tbr subject was one
Of such unpoyoked Outrage one hall the States OF The
Union and pregnant with disastrous consequences TO
all he could not reconcile it to his impression OF Propr
ETY. TO speak IN the low and suDdueG lone OF Inc amend
mcnt.
For these reasons he could not vote for The amend
nent should il be substituted for his fifth resolution,
less greatly modified and strengthened.
Cd 4 bp
Senate would consider the subject they would n no
thing in the objections As to the amendment not pro-
ydnr projection for the Territories, in the series of re-
solutions which MIR. C. had offered yesterday, there was
one thai expressly provided for Florida the only Terri
tory concerned, placed on The strongest grounds.
As to the right Of the Government 10 purchase the
slaves in the District, the amendment recognised no
such thing simply says you cannot emancIPate Them
without compensation But whether you can do It at
all or not il does not assert II says you cannot do II
without compensation; oht IL does mol say you Can Will
compensation
NV idea in framing that resolution was, to throw
around The District Of Columbia every security IN three
distinct propositions. One was the plighed faith OF THIS
Government in the transaction by which the District
was acquired The next was, That you have no rght to
abolish slavery here without indemnify The third was,
that you do it without exciting degree OF alarm
in the Southern States of this transcend
ing all the benefits of any results hoped these would
form barrier that would exist forever at enst till
circumstances should no longer require it, But have
no objections to withdraw Of them; the two remain
ing ones will be sufficient.
II am right in surprising there is nothing in The e1
cep,onaLe clause that authorizes the right TO purchase
the slaves in the District Of Columbia there can he
thing whatever respects the slaves in other paris Of
the Cainn; especially as in the resolutions them
selves declare The nvloaby Of slavery in the States
The Senator's third objection is 10 the right of peil
lion involved in the amendment. Sir warn the Senate
that there can be continuance Of the invasion OF the
RICH, to petition. Mr.. G. mentioned State Legislature
TINT had now under consideration this subject OF The in
vason of the light Of pctltion and from Kentucky,
sa We country he had this morning received letter from
one of The most intelligent men, in which he says you
cunno, maintain ynur ground; beware how you attempt
it, This is point on which know differ from the
Senator and should regard nothing more fatal than
deliberate determination Of this body 10 invade the right
of rrtlion Does not every State claim in the District
equal rights There is but one measure mere fatal than
the invasion Of the right of petition, and that IL TO adopt
the concluding resolution of The Senator from South
Carolina. make no Inputation against his motives
blu, that his act may be fatal 10 the peace, and may en-
danrer the Union OF the county, is 10 be seriously aP.
pretended.
The last objection was, lha, the of the amend
men, was subdued but with what propcty IS this charge
Il is in lanpunpe as strong ever was used You can
moi abolish slavery without breach of The public faith
Can any thing be stronger: II equals the Constitution
itself.
And then that YOU cannot abolish slavery without mis-
chcvous and dangerous results: Is tins understood !:
conIpanied with rnshncss or violence
Mr. Sewer wished n clause to be inserted showing
that the treaty with Span on the cesslon OF Florida,
guaranteed slavery 10 the people OF that Territory under
the term property.
Mr.. Clay consented 10 introduce, rs HlooihcalIoh ,
such clause in his resolution
Mr., King spoke in favor of Mr.. Cay's resolution, as
preferable 10 Mr.. Culhouns.
MIR. Calhoun at every Stage encountered every oh
lection and presented hlmset al every Hio'eh' !" He
fence of his resolution.
MIR Sewer again suggested 10 include the Indians as
Stockholders and 10 insert clause guaranteeing slavery
10 them as their institution.
Mr. CLAW accepted the suggestion, and inserted the
clause accordingly
NJ Niles offered a verbal notification which
copied H. ,a
pent MS modified, which were ordered
aner few remarks from MIR. Allen approving Tie
amendment as giving broader basis for Northern oppo-
sers Of abolition 10 stand upon,
The question was taken on Mr.. Clay's amendment or
substitute and it was adopted as follows:
Yeas-Messrs. Bayard, Brown, Buchanan, Clay OF
Alabama Clay of Kentucky, Clayton, Crttende Cuth.
bert, Fulton. King, Niles, Preston, Riyes, Robinson
Siranre, TalmadGe Upton, White, Williams-l9.
Naus-Messrs. Allen, Benton Black, Calhoun GIun-
dy, Hubbard, Lumpkin Lyon Nicholas, Norve fIerc0,
Rome Sewer, Smith of Connecticut, Smith OF Indiana,
Walker, Wright Ynung-lS.
Mr. Strange having remarked that he had protested
nj the on,set against these resolutions but since They
had passed The Rubicon, he disposed 10 make them
ms strong as possible; that he had voted for Mr. Clay
amendment with the hope Of strong if not unani-
nous cote; but that they had obtained only mao
ritz of one he moved reconsider the vote BY which
they were adopted; which motion prevailed, and Mr..
Cluy's amendment again before the Senate
Mr. Niles expressed his unwilingness to deny The
right Of petition this subject in the District, and his
readiness 60 far any to prevent the fatal Ell
feet towards which their movements Tended
10, that Nv C1ay'o
amendment originated mainly in desire 10 get strong
footing for Northern opposers of abolition. But Mr. e.
hoped those Senators who had heretofore voted with his
resolutions would continue to give them their support
lie repeated that his design in this as well as the other
resolu,ions TO meet the Vermont resolutions, and
he hoped that design would be carried out
Mr. Clay, of Alabama, said he had voted for Mr.
Claws substitute with The hope that it would he strongly