The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-08
CITY OF WASHINGTON MONDAY NIGHT FEBRUARY s. lS47

vision, whereby slavery or involuntary seryude shall be
forever eXcluied."l
The senator from Alabama, Qhe honorable gentleman
continued at once-for suppose he did not know of the
existence OF the resolutions till he heard them read
Mr.. BAGBl. lnever dreamed OF such thing.
Mr.. JOHNSON The honorable senator instinctively
nj onceand his people will honor him for titles TO the
rescue OF their institutions, which he supposes TO be I'M
constuutonaly and unnecessarily assaed by those reso
lnons. 1t Is not my purpose, however To speak now OF
The subject which the resolutions embrace.
MIR. BAGBH. hope the resolution offered by me will
Mr.. JOHNSON. | have sent for it, sir
1.-THE resolution was then read as follows
Resared the opinion of the Senate that the resolution
OF the legislature of New York. declaring that If any terri
Tory hereafter acquired by The United States or annexed
thereto, the ac by which such territory acquired or an
nexed whatever such be, should conin unal
terabe fundamental article provision whereby slavery
shall be forever excluded from HE territory acquired
uexed" is IN derogaon OF the constitution of the United
States, and with the right. and interests Of the State
in which slavery exists
Mr.. JOHNSON proceeded Nobody doubts that the
senator from Alabama not only speaks his opinion,
but that OF his constituents the subject OF that esolu
ton. Sir, make bold to say--and say after some
opportunities OF knowngthat the voice of the north
upon this subject will be uniform i is useless to inquire
into the constitutional question until it is forced upon
1t is useless to examine what rights will be left to the
south if ii is to be forced upon us. | mention the fact
only, that there is universal opinion pervadng
all political sects; and make bold 10 say, Mr. Presi,
dent, that no representative who daes, in accord
ance with his convictions by any act of his, upon
tnS moor or elsewhere, 10 go against at pervadg SeA
timen of his constituents, will be permitted again to
represent the people II matter of feeling 1t results
from a settled and abiding conviction that slavery is
wrong the abstract well as in reality 1t grows out
OF belief in the extent of human rights II spirit of
liberty having lis birth and its home in the heart am
sure that not when say that if it has not already
covered the whole morrill, the whrlwnd Of opinion the
subject IS rushing on, and no man will be permitted to
stand who attempts TO resist it, There is but way OF
obvlatinS IT. and thank God that way open to us, and
that way leaves area happy united, and pow
erful people-t by keeping the question out-by bring
ing no territory in; and in my Judgment ii may be done
consistently with the yindicaton of the national honor
What are the hundred or the hundreds of millions in
which this war may involve us? No man will feel the
pressure of II moment. No man would know of its
stence unless he were told of the fact For what is ad
dltonal territory wanted Have moi enough, not only
for the of the present day. but for the hundreds and
hundreds, and hundreds of millions who may into
existence hereafter Have we not degrees of latitude
enough to furnish with everything which may minis
Ter to mans wants comforts, far depends upon
soil or cimate The progress OF the United States thus
far announces that we have all this. No other people
who have appeared the theatre of this world in
the past or present lime, compare in any prosperity
which they may have enjoyed, or in any glory which
they may have acquired, with the prosperity which has
been enjoyed the glory which has been acquired |
by the people of the United States under their pres
en constitution and on their present territory Sir,
achievements They, through all time, will tell the world
what are the extent and ability of American valor They
will proclaim in all time that whenever and wherever and
however associated American courage and American
skill under the guidance of American wisdom, are equal
any emergency But, sir, glories still greater, still
more attractive in the eyes of all good men and genuine
patriots If we be true TO ourselves, await Who is
there, looking through the vista of time, matter how
fruitful his imagination, or sangnine his temperament
tell 81 % the 3 6ass and o. the which
Union lasts Sir the south is danger, from what
ever you may term the lowest peiudices OF the north,
the political fanaticism OF the political demagoges of the
NORTH if her people true to themselves, and stand to-
gether man. Let the south maintain It's featy TO
the cons tuhOn, and there be for appre
U,,t. h,,
question is brought into existence and States TO
be added to the llnon-when territory equal in extent
rs says the President OF the United Satesto the whole
thirteen original States OF this Unon is about to become
part of the United States by conquest, then, indeed, a
new and alarming element is cast upon the political
waters, and even the most sangune cannot fail to be
and dear Mr. President, why is II that willing TO
hazard such an inheritance for such acquisition Sir,
United States Have not territory enough to
all the reasonable wants of human society? Has not the
constitution given all the blessings which man de-
rive from such instrumentalty! Sir reared for
if any work of man can aspire 10 such an
existence' But it may, words OF another, perish
in hour, from orgetulness, corruption negligence Of
ask southern and northern men, again disclaimlng
any intention to argue The question, till it forced upon
us-whatis to be done, i the crisis Gomez The north is
firm the soil upon which her eemen tread The south
is equally firm, endowed with indomtabe courage
and fully impressed with a conviction OF her rights
What is 10 be the RESULT One of two thingscivl war;
ana violated constitution Mr. President, ! beseech
senators TO pause. point them TO the Union Fair and
undeaced when from the hands OF its august
founders, that fabric still stands in all It's STATELY height
and solemn grandeur. Are senators indeed prepared to
behold its Doric liars mingled with the dust? Are there
amongst us any who esteem so lightly this glorious nher
lance of ours that they regard without the utmost
alarm, the possibility of such fratrcidal conflict
as that OF which have spoken, in conneyion with this
dstractng quesiion--and all for what? Because Mexico
being too poor, cannot pay what she except by
OF territory which will force from her at the
Mr.. President there many considerations connected
with this subject of which | cannot speak with
out trespassng unduy on the patience of the Senate
have but word to in conclusion am sure the Sen
and the public, far they have taken any interest
in what my course in this body may have been, will do
United States this floor, have given cordial and
hearty support the present Executive in the conduct OF
this war. have done it at the sacrifice OF differing
in particulars from members in whose judgment
am in the habit of constantly deferring. | have con-
suited my judgment alone and perhaps should have
stincts the other way, and followed them. They
taught me that the honor oil my country was involved
resolved, rs far as in me lay, to vndcae IT. They
taught me that the glory of flag about TO be tar
nished | resolved that, as far in me lay, il |
should be maintained. And / here vote freely and lib
equal lberalty, for any and every measure which The
President may recommend if supported by any reasons
which satisfy me that the adoption of the measure
will be necessary for the vigorous and successful prose-
cution of the have known, sir, but one partymy
country have consulted the interests of but party
and the honor OF but one partyhe interests and honor
of my country. And if ] know my own nature, shall
adhere 10 the same party throughout. But that same
spirit which conf cel me in the course TO which have
alluded and which caused my heart to leap with Joy