The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-25

IA
sachuses had advanced the doctrine that was com
petent for Congress prohibit the transportation OF
slaves from one State another for sale and that he
appealed 70 him to say whether he had not but he
did not recoect whether the Senator from MasAaehu-
setts had admitted or denied having done So
IMr CUTHBsar. No. no he did not deny ~
Mr. RIyEs. Let not the Senator from Georgia m
yoIve when he comes forward 10 make enaIees
against gentleman who Is not here present 70 aeisna
HIMSELF but ii he ad, ances charge, and It's uuth
is denied then the burden Of proof certainly hes on
him. -
[Mr. CurHBERT. can prove it, and Will
MIR. Rives Iprotest against the gentleman draw
ing me TO support his accusation IN matter OF wh'ch
have no knowledge Now do ! feel il TO be due TO
the EN- nent public man who has Just dissoiseu h's
connexion with this body and who has been arfagheu
for his opinions by the Senator from Geornm 10
manner which TO say the least 10 rather Il-umed anu
10 state what have been the declara-
lions of his opinions these same questions, withn
my hearing, at very recent PERIOD WIN 'n nv
distinp uished gentleman have differed, and sun oii
fer on some important questions OF pubic pohcy.--
Blu, these differences have never prevented me IRON
feeling that his here one OF the pou dest
ornaments of this Hall, and that his withdrawal from
il will leave an intellectual void which generations
must mass away in the ordinary course OF Providence
~ men before we shall see il filled with his like again
His talents and his reputation are the common pro,
perty of his country and Tor one nave ever iookeu
UPON them with pride as an American citzen. IL my
honorable friend from Georgia
mir CurHnsRr. hope the Senator will drop the
expression " friend 49,
Mr. RIvrs Most happily, if he says go II the
Senator from Georgia then, had looked as inqusitse-
Nv into the evidence of the opinions OF the senator
from Massachusetts ON this important and delicate
topic which has been given IL the world during the
last four five months, as he seems to nave done INTO
those supposed have been uttered by him twenty.
odd wears ago in meeting OF Boston, ne would
have seen what he has said under circumstances OF the
most solemn and imposing character Al the cry OF
Richmond in the month OF October last, on the sa-
cred portico of the Capitol of Virginia. before an as.
semblagc of ten thousand of her freemen--beneath
the light Of October sun-in the face OF Heaven
he declared in the most solemn manner under all the
responsibilities OF his character and station, that was
his well settled and interchangeable opinion that there
is no power direct indirect, in Congress or the
General Government, to interfere IN any manner
trhaterer the slightest degree, NTH me subject 81
siarery or Me Institutions Of the South. declara-
ton so broad complete, SO uncqulvocal, SO emphatic
proceeding from such man, in such presence could
not but make profound impression 4 hese memoia-
BILE words are ON record. They were taken down at
the time and they baye been given TO the world under
the revision of the Senator from Massachusetts him
self Here, then, is the authentic and recorded evi-
dence oil the deliberate and final opinions of that dis
tnguished gentleman on the whole OF this delicate
subject; and ii is but act of common justice that
he should be tried and judged by them. Let the Sc
from Georgia prosecute his inquiries by referring
these and authentic proofs OF the sentiments
of the distinguished citizen Of Massachusetts,; and, II
they should fail to satisfy him. he will have this fur
ther consolation that though that gentleman is re-
moved from this theatre of his public abors, ne VIII
be beyond the reach Of any legitimate inquiries in
that higher post of duty and responsibility his acces
sion TO which has been hailed, the Senator from
Kentucky MIR Clay) has just remarked, by the gen.
eral voice Of the country He will be happy, doubt
not to any inquiries which may be conveyed
to him. in and proper terms from an unpre-
JUDGED source My only regret is that he is not
here to answer the arrangement of the Senator from
Georgia, face TO face.
! Mr.. CUTHBERT. None can regret il than
no man regrets one thousandth part much
tell the Senator that have been seeking for the do
cnment on which to base my inquiry Does the Sena-
tor believe me, must prove it repeat the assnr-
ance that have been waiting for that document, and
that only But am not sorry for what has occurred
Ii pleases me, am glad. am glad the attention Of
the country has been fixed upon the fact; cannot
now escape investigation 1t will now be seen what
has been said Of my much-injured State--a State
love with burning affection. hug her TO my
heart in proportion she is assailed and assaulted
4 from abroad
! say, then, that at public meeting held in the city
of Boston, the subject of slavery and for purpose
which the South cannot approve, committee was ap
was chairman Of af ssg .na
Of the resolutions reported by the committee was
in nearly the very words uttered by him on this floor
would have called on him for explanation before
now but wished first procure the documents hat
might be sure right 1t shall yet be produced
and say again, that am glad the eyes Of the coun
try The eyes Of the whole world have been turned to
this proceeding and to the hereca opinion advanced
/ by the Senator from Massachusetts, Two or three
years since that Senator carefully investigated the
subject ofslavery and in this document he declares It
his opinion that Congress has the constitutional au
ihorty prevent the transportation of slaves from
State to another Il is made out; the proof
shall be addnced and is of itself sufficient to excite
7 the suspicion of the South. The opinion has been
spread abroad and has every where been quoted on
his authority
4 t,o oh nj hia he
not bound to retracl this expression of il II he has
1 formerly expressed opinion which he now knows
TO be false and unsound he knows at the same time,
that that opinion, as his, has gained currency, and
that 1t furnishes the very form which the war Is
carried against u.s. and it. under these crcumsian-
ces he refuses to do justice to the South That must
be his moral struclure2 The opinion gains authority
in his State and it is promulgated abroad as an
opinion supported by his authority If he knows this
and does moi contradict it, he re alirms it. And am
then be told that the certain vague and general ex
pressiuns used by him the steps OF the Capitol Of
Virginia avail to cancel all this The cancer Is
spreading approaches the vital parts the patient Is
in danger and then told that there IS some pa
nacea or quack medicine which has been vended for
the the disease. A Senator from South Caro-
lima put the document in my hands at the last session
thought at tina, time of bringing up the Senator be-
fore the People, but the document escaped me, ana
have sought ii since, with the express Intention 10
make that use of IT, | say that the Senator from
Massachusetts has up doctrines which throw open
all the oOutn 10 her enemies Wncn eaVe us W piri
for our defence and with nothing to prevent thc sea
| rom rushing in to oveIwhelm us. The mischief has
been done il has been done by the expression OF that
opinion: it must be retracted: forgiveness must be
asked from much injured pee Pile there must be re-
pentance, and not only repentance but reform. The
Senator must not profess TO repent and still retain the
emouments of sin. He must not retain popularity at
the North for opinion and tell the South that he
] has changed it, and holds another | say again that
rejoice TINT the attention OF the world has been called
to this debate The Senator has been pledged by his
4 friend to answer If he shall answer and etract the
opinion, then his authority, in the degree in which
1 aill nd Ia hni will