Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-07-12


call themselves Wings, or Democrats, Liberty
men, are prepared to leave their employments
and be turned out of business. for the purpose of
maintaining brisk traffic in the bodies the flesh
and blood of our Southern population. Mother
do believe that the farmers of the wcst-of n.
York, Ohio Indiana, and lllinois-are prepared
to give up the only market they havo for their
beef their pork and their -four, for the purpose of
increasing the profits of those who raise children
to sell, and who barter away the bodies Of won-
And | appeal to the whole population Of the
western States-of all classes and conditions, and
political partcs-to say whether they are willing
to give up their harbor improvements, and the I'M
provemont of our river navigation, for the pur-
pose of improving the southern slave trade, and of
perpetuating slavery in Texas! What say my
Democratic colleagues this point-wll they
goit Will the Democracy of Ohio march up to
that point with firm and unhnching step! think
not lfthcy do, they had better settle their po
litical affairs, and make their political requests
before the election, or they will take their depar
turo from the political world unprepared.
But if Texas is admitted to the Union it will
be admitted as slave Territory, out of which
several slave States hereafter to be formed
and admitted into the Union slavehoding
States, with all the advantages of the slave repre-
sentation, under Federal Constitution. The
effects of which will be to give the stakeholder of
Texas an influence in the election of President
Wee President, and members of Congress- and in
the administration of our national Government
in exact proportion to their disregard of tho lib
erty and freedom for which revolutionary
fathers contended; or, in other words, in proper
ton to the number of persons th"y shall hold III
degradation and slavery. On this point desire
the particular attention of northern Democrats.
| say. then. that If the free men of Texas shall
each hold five slaves each will hold and exercise
the same influence IN electlng federal officers,
that will be held and exercised by four northern
q Il l.1l ,<,Vl fF
have an influence in eecting federal officers and
in controlling the Federal Government. equal TO
THIRTY ONE hard laboring. intelligent and
virtuous Democrats of New England, or of New
York.
Now, sir, does the learned democratic gentle
man from Indiana really estimate his own con-
stituents so low in the scale Of moral excellence
and political worth, as to regard thlrty-onc OF
them equal only to the owner of fifty Texan
slaves! Or would he regard himself rs entitled
only to one-fourth part Of the consideration OF the
uIyur not. G11,-IoonrC, c, hsrIi
sue, and to let tho world understand the compare
tive estimate they pu: upon themselves. Would
to God could address every man, of evory par
ty north of Mason and DiXons line, on this solo
question. | would demand of them as MEN-as
AMERICAN FREEMEN-to como forward and speak
for themselves and to let the world know whether
an individual among them, of any party, Is will
ling thus to rank himself, and to admit that he
cal worth Of Texas STAKEHOLDER of the lowest
grade. There men who put that estimate
upon northern democrats. They urge upon the
people of the north to admit Texas upon these
terms; indeed no other terms mentioned or
thought of. Now let such estimates como from
whom they may-from persons high IN office, or
those who wish to be high in Office declare
thcm insulting to northern feeling and northern
honor. Sir, why not propose at once that our
people shall surrender themselves as slaves to the
Texan planters! Why not advise the people of
our free States once to leave their homes. 60 10
Texas, and become the voluntary ''hewers OF
wood and drawers of WATER to those fugitive
criminals who, within tho last fifteen years. were
driven from the United States TO avoid punish
ment for their crimes the payment of their
} debts!
But must hasten through my subj Get, although
it be in desultory manner. l was wholly un
prepared to address the committee. had taken
no notes, no books. or papers OF reference but
the committee appeared anxious to proceed, ano
| was compelled to put to sea, upon the wide O
cean Of this debate, without chart or compass
and with nothing to guide my course but the gilt
tering star of TRUTH it shines III the moral fir
mament. unobscurcd by political clouds. Wheth
er | shall again reach the shore within the brief
space allotted me by the rules of the House, Is
of little consequence. IN my opinion. as shal
) probably be compelled to stop before can posi-
bly, bring my remarks to close.
1t is. however. due to myself to say, that
would not have occupied the attention of the
House one moment, if any other northern maj
had exhibited disposition to address the commit
, tee but as we have had some SIX or eigh
speechesin favor of the annexation OF Texas, ant
no one against 1t, began to fear that our people
of the north would think either have nothing
to saw or that VIC are too delicate to say it.
Before proceed to speak of the constitutions
mowers involved in the extension and preservation
of slavery by the Federal Government, mus
; answer one of the positions assumed by the gen
tleman from South Carolina (Alr. Holmes) yes
terdav, and to-day by the gentleman from Nlr
gnia, (Mr. Atkinson and the gentleman from
, Alabama (Mr. Belser.) 1t is also assumed BY
, the late Secretary of State, Mr.. Upsher, and By
, the present Secretary of State, Mr.. Calhoun II