The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-04-21

clear and indisputable' territory, for the sake
of compromise The offer was not excep-
ted. Mr. Polk then withdrew it, and again
asserted our title TO the whole territory.
Now, should the British minister finally ac-
cede to that line. Mr.. Polk is esiopped from
claiming beyond it. His offer is conclusive
against the United States; and Mr. Paken-
ham would need only cite him to the case Of
the United States VS.. Mexico. |. Folks re-
ports, page 3, where it is decided that 'au
offer to compromise. whether accepted or
not, is conclusive upon the party making it.
Ii such a law is good in Texas it should he
good in Oregon. But, sir, leave the Presi-
dent and his friends TO reconcile snch law and
logic with the writings of Coke and Little
ton.
But my hostility to the incorporation of
Texas into this Union rests upon a deeper
foundation. protest against it because lis
design and tendency are 70 strengthen the
bonds Of slavery. That power is already too
! formidable in this country. The rights of
Tree labOrers are jeopardized by its existence.
For ten years it has been making its steady
| but determined eEcroachments on the North.
II has not been content to remain where the
Constitution left it. IT has demanded the
Affirmative support of the General Govern
ment. The army, the navy, the treasury OF
the nation, have been unwarrantably drawn
upon for its defence, and last, but not least, a
foreign territory must be added to give il pre-
ponderanee.
And what returns, let me ask. has slavery
been making for the favOrs shown herr Her
acts are recorded. they cannot he mistaken.
Look, sir, at The right of petition in this
House. Where is it! What power has
stricken it down! Freemcn hold this right
invaluable-as one given by God and guar
antied by the Constitution Of the country.
| Slavery has Gecreed that it may be exer-
ciSed on some subjects and denied on others
and stand here to-day TO protest against
the insult Offered to my constituents. | had
The honor, on the fist week of the session.
to present memorial. signed by some 1000
of them, respectful iii language. aud asking
the attention of Congress to Il legitimate sub
jeci. over hlch Congress has exclusive ju-
risdictiOn. The srsners were not confined te
the third party so called, but of all parties
BY some of the most intelligent and respecta-
BILE in my district.-IIow was it treated
Denied a reference or considcraton-con-
signed, unopened to your table, there to take
its long repose.-On whose motion On
/ lidt vi cOhthtIH WI. ~ III
! Va And, to show the erea- handed Justice
and iG-partialily oGthe House, had hardly
taken my seal before gentleman from South
Carolina, on my left, (Alr. SimS,) rose and
presented the proceedings Of an anti tariff
meeting in his State, denouncing in strong
language the protective policy Of the cOun
try, claiming q use the words OF the petit
tioners) that they desire TO take of the fet-
tiers from home industry. Sir, when thai
was presented how was it disposed Of! Did
you see some eight or ten Northern gentle
men; having charge Of the taJIe department.
jumping upon their feet and moving to Law il
nm The table Far from it sir. 1t was re-
specially received, reierrcG % . afandins
committee of this House, and since been con
sidered attentivcly. and, in due time, vii! be
reported on. Wherefore this odious and ar
btrary Discrimination Arc The genileman's
constituents better than mine ! Arc they,
! because of their loud thunder and ominous
threats, to be commended to favor here over
The unohrusive Quakers from nv district
All the difference that could perceive in
he two cases was, that the genIleman's me-
mortal asked Congress 10 take the letters off
home labor. aud mine 10 take Them off home
tdJOrerS. The one was an abstraction wor-
Thy Of South Carolina optics the other a
practical matter, worthy of the common
sense Of Yankees.
Gentlemen complain that the anti-sIavery
sentiment OF the North is endangerrng their
cherished institutions. Who. sir is rcspnn-
sible for that auti-slavery feeling! Slavchol-
ders may thank themselves for lis rapid IN
crease these few past years. The alarming
strides Of slavery in the counIry-rhe deeds it
has caused TO be pPrpetrated on this floor and
and elsew here-have not been among the re-
mote causes Of increased hostility 10 its cx-
existence. ! could allude 10 scenes fresh IN
the recollection of gentlemen. How long,
Mr.. Chairman, since an honorable member
of this House, Mr.. Giddings OF Ohio) for
the exercise off, constitutional right, and the
discharge Of what he deemed an homes; du-
". WIS arraigned, condemned at your bar,
aud virtually expelled from this hall But
did you conquer him, or crush the cause
No. lie returned to his hie minded con
sttuents, and told them Of the isnomiDy
heaped upon them and him. They honored
his sternness, commended his integrity, and,
with a round majority, gave him new com
mission, and sent him back to battle still
longer on the ramparts of freedom. Sir,
that event gave new impulse to the anti
slavery leeln of the North. 1t formed
new era in its history. IL caused that feeling
TO widen and deepen in the hearts Of North
ern freemen. II is because slavery thus at
tempts to awe and strike down the represen-
lalives offreedom, thai we oppose its extern
sion and increase.
The case Of my worthy friend from Ohio
is not the only one which the freemen and
free women Of the North have registered in
their books of remembrance. No sir, they
have not forgotten the hour when their tried
champion the venerable gentleman from
Massachusetts, (Mr. Adams,) met the same
enemy on this floor. Oh! sir. | would that
Southern gentlemen could have known how
the Northern pulse quickened on that occa- !
sion, and with what burning anxiety we wal |
.ed the arrival ofevery mail. And at the |
moment when we looked TO see him swept |
down by the pillows Of southern wrath. we !
saw him triumph in the conflict. He bore 1
himself like an ancient rock in The midst Of
the ocean, against which wave after wave |
dashed and broke, leaving him majestic in /
his victory. Never sir, never did such rich /
aud mellow lus,re surround the setting sun
- tb,t 1,aparahIa oil Navar