The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-23

sonabe TO suppose that they would provide for their
exclusion from territory hereafter be acquired There
was limitation TO slavery in the constitution
cep the provision that the importation OF slaves should
not be prohibited by Congress prior to the year s0S~ This
provision, he was aware the result of compro
mise, by which the navigation laws consented TO.
The constitution covered al-bond and free-who were
then in the Union, and all slaves who might be imported
in twenty years afterwards The idea OF limiting slavery
10 the territory then in the Union did enter the heads
OF the trainers OF the constitution The distribution of
slaves into new territories did not increase the number OF
slaves.
Adistinguished southern statesman Mr. Calhoun had
said that territory acquired was held Tor the benefit
OF ALL and that Congress could not prevent slaves from
going into such territory. This he thought, was a
percia view of the subject He admitted that the terri
tory was held in common for ALL but it did not follow
thai must be used in common L might be divided.
The army and the treasury belonged to all in common,
but might be divided. Congress- he commended had the
power the Territories a local legislature.
But i was said that slavery was unnatural Slavery
found in all ages and nations in the world Some
nations had not recognised property IN land, but all
lions bad recognised IL in persons. Every nation recog
missed IN persons l within five centuries ago It was
preposerous 10 call the southern institution of slavery
peculiar ID the northern institutions which
peculiar II evident that Congress had recognised
property n persons II you established slavery in all the
States and Territories excluded entirely. il would be
a breach OF trust Our government ought to divide
territory TO accommodate the south and the north.
II seem at early day, that of the States then
toeratng slavery, would soon be relieved from it and
therefore the old confederation left the northwestern ter
ritory free from slavery. When Missouri came into the
union portion Of the territory also set apart
fee territory lie dad not contend that the government
would be justified in taking territory for the purpose of
Strengthening any one portion of the Union. But II
southern territory were obtained let be savehodng;
and il western, LEI be divided Able had contend
ed that Congress had power 10 exclude slavery, the
ground that was inconsistent with republican form OF
government but he could show that there was no such
right Some OF his northern friends had considered the
extension of slavery unfair to the north but he show
ga that in the convention Rufus King and others had
admitted that regard should be had to the SOUTH
IN atp he
most OF the wealth OF the country. But as practical
objection that of increase of the political power of the
slave States had weight There were no slaves i'm
ported and every slave was now represented. 1t
only in this House that slaves represened and that
representation could not be increased BY the extension of
territory in which slavery is tolerated The number of
non-slaveholdng States, also would be multiplied much
faster than that Of the slaveholdng States.
There danger in the existence of mere political
party politics with abotonism We have always had,
and always will have, parties Their existence safest
when they exist the general conduct OF admins
tration. The majority and minority coming in conflict
in each State ghlen each other The danger is when
you divide into classeswhen you try for instance,
to range the rich against the poor Then you appeal to
mems passions. The most dangerous divisions of the
people those which you make by geographical lines.
There is strong attachment TO country which this calls
up In every instance OF this kind, the country in which
they occurred has been broken 10 pieces Gen Washing
ton, foreseeng these things warned against geogaph
zeal divisions The trainers of the constitution appre-
hended evil from this; but their fears have hitherto
III
the last fifteen twenty years the candidate for Presi
dent obtaining majority in the whole Union, also OBJ
tanned majority in both sections of the Union.
Several attempts have been made TO get up these geo.
graphical divisions. The Missouri controversy was got
up by northern politicians. The next that came, he
sorry to say. came from the south He sorry that
this made II necessary for him TO refer to politicians
now among us; but justice compelled him to make the
reference. After the settlement of the notification diff
culties Mr., CALHOUN found himself in uncomfortable
situation The United States Telegraph became his or
gan Though shon OF its strength. il still had its nflu-
ence II abused southern "colar men I; abused
also northern politicians The Richmond Enquirer and the
Pennsylvania might be quoted here in condemnation of
ITS course did time permit Some went even SO Tar as 10
nsnuae that the existence of the Union intention
ally threatened But that he would not affirm denyhe
dealt only with facts
Meetings held at the north. One was held in
Philadelphia another in Boston, in which r. Gray Otis
was one OF the speakers The Telegraph became more
rabld in its attacks Our friends the north were cool
ed and yet in the south (out of South Carona) there
not per cent of the population in favor of the
principles OF notification They numbered only about as
many as the abolltonists in the north.
in 1896, another attempt was made to get up this sec
tonal feeling IL was represented that Mr. Van Buren,
was opposed TO the south. and yet Mr. Van Buren, was
elected by both sections In 1910 the attempt was again
revived The charge changed sides, and Mr. Van Blu
rens opponent charged with abolition Yet Harr
son was elected by both sections of the country Adolf
ton seemed 10 kill whatever il took hold Of Did time
permit, II might be shown that il southern in
fuence that killed Mr.. Van Buren, in lsii in the Ba
more convention, but the politicians who doubted his
The leaders of the ant-slavery movement now say
slavery must not be eytended-,he slave power must
not be increased But all slaves are now counted and
represented We are told that southern man casts a
vote for himself and three votes for every five slaves
TO this he might, with much justice, reply that a
northern man votes for himself and FIVE votes
for every five OF the eecoored population 1.-THE south
should ibeate her slaves, they would still be counted in
the population The charge that IL degradcs free labor
Is uniouDdei VI such directors would out their
principles, they must vote TO eNpe the black population
and the rish II is unjust TO call us slave ma-seaers
Slaves were brought into this country by northern ship
owners and the south might well ask the money paid
by their ancestors to the OF the northern PEG
pie for bringing the slaves, the north now 10 ask
for the Liberation of the slaves.
We now hear again the language OF DuI;reen repeated
at the north"Tbe time has come-ihe ISSUE must be
met and those who thus talk, boast OF their bravery in
meeting the issue. But those who readesi TO fling
ven towards When sectional grounds turn a presden.
tial election, then the Union rs truly AT an end
Mr.. e. here noticed the revolution in the bearing of
one State or section upon another, compared with the
state OF affairs existing al the time OF the formation of the
constitution, and continued Some think the south would
be feeble II the Union dissolved No tnan would
regret dissolution more than he and yet the south
could stand She could increase her territory south Tor
there we have aweak neighbor The north has pp,yerfu
neghbor The south could thus easily be increased while
the laws OF trade and commerce would also be in her IA
vor. III Is useless 10 aqni the south with being 'trai.
Castor, OF Henry Jefferson, and Ruiledge-while they
can point to the valor displayed Baltimore and New
Orleans or to the recent glorious deeds m Nsxico
where the troops from Kentucky Tennessee and south
Carolina 40 distinguished themselves Oi South Caroll
ma, he would say that her people were generous liberal
manly and brave. lie knew Gen Butler well. and 4
when he FELL he left no nobler soldier 10 fh, he lt1ls
of the country But what was 10 BE- he t..,i, - II