The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-02


poblem no longer Speculation will give way to fact and
future reputation and security, will be purchased by pres
ent exerons But il abandon the contest by whatever
motives mpelled seal our dishonor and shut up
the history of our counrys glory. The name of Anaeri
can will be by-word and reproach throughout the
earth The brand will remain upon our foreheads, and
still the palmer as we shall prove ourselves fathless to
the example OF fathers and unworthy of the legacy
which they won and bequeahed to us. But, sir, be-
ieve nothing of all this. trust know my countrymen
and if they have one trait OF character in holder relief
than any other, than all others, an ever-actng,
never-dyng love of country, wachfu first of its honor
and then OF its interests and prepared defend BOTH
both should be defended where the government belongs
equally 10 all and the support OF all equally TO the gov
eminent All the apprehensions expressed here will pass
away, leaving and our institutions unscathed have
an abiding confidence in the energy and recttude of pub
lie opinion this country, as well in its mighty ef
ects Ii has spoken many time in my day, and spo
ken in tones that were feared and obeyed-aye, and il
will so speak many time to come, Thank God
not the people We but their temporary servants
There is power above us, and beyond u.s. which says
Thus far may you go, but tarther"-and there
stop We introduce subjects here, and discuss themand
discuss them till mutual contact eXcites and fancy
that every body everywhere Just as much excited
are and that the end OF all things, at least of all po
ical things union, government liberty, is approaching,
if not upon us And all this, while the bounties of
heaven, both physical and moral, are descending upon
u.s. not like the silent dew, but in unbroken stream
of unmerited kindness Our country is without want,
our government without oppression and people with
out fear and without danger And yet we are everlast
Dgly talking about crisis, as though had nothing
TO do but to raise one, and to discuss It, We may have
one, sir; butt may come IN way and IN an hour we
know not of. II may be Crisis not OF our making
seeking, but OF Gods wrath for our ingraude. AS
to political crisis all will come right, Mr. President
That word has got to be quite common one IN our ma
onal vocabulary. II frightened once, but I have
seen often that its face has become quite familiar
and does not inspire the least dread recognise
old acquaintance, changing from time to time its drape-
ry but still preserving its identity Our constituents the
American people, will take of us, and of the crisis
too. they took of the crisis of Independence, of
the confederation, or the revolutionary war; of the con-
sttuon, OF the non-intecourse, of the embargo OF the
bank of the deposes OF the tariff, and of the late
and as they are taking into their own mighty keeping
the present war. And they will still take care of their
Union, and guard 1t from any unholy touch, the ark
of God guarded of old by Gods holy people |
shall vote against this proviso because
ls The present is no proper time for the introduction
into the country and into Congress- of an exciting topic
tending TO divide us, when united exerhons are
necessary to prosecute the existing
I'd It will be quite IN season to provide for the gov
eminent OF territory not vet acquired from foreign
tries, after we shall have obtained it.
3D. The provso can only apply to British and Mexican
territories there are others coermnous to Its
phraseology would reach either, though its application is
pointed to Mexico. 1t seems TO me- that to express so
much confidence in the successful result of this
to legislae at this tme if this anticipated
acquisition, at least for It, and to lay down partial ba
Sis for its government, would do good the eyes
of the world, and would iTate still more the Mexican
people.
lih Legislation now would be wholly imperative !;
emed without act of Congress providing for its gov
eminent And such act its passage would open the
whole subject and would leave the Congress called up
pass it, free to exercise its own discretion entirely
uncontrolled by any declaration found the statute
book
9TH There great to think that the adoption Of
this proviso would all probability, bring the to an
untmey issue, by the effect would have future ope
ratlons.
9th Its passage would certainly prevent the acquisi-
hon OF one foot OF territory thus defeating measure
n ma pf fha
defeating it, too, by the very act purportng to establish
partial basis for its government.
th The progress of public opinion upon the question
OF the adoption OF this provso, the circumstances OF
the country have become and more difficult,
to to Indicate very clearly that its introduction
at the past session of Congress- the conviction has been
gaining ground that the present time for the Agfa
ton of this subject and the foreign war becomes
embarrassing, greater degree than many anticipated
il rs best TO avoid domestic dispute which would raise
bitter questions at home, and add confidence to the
tves Tor resistance abroad And certainly the fact
ascertaned that the would be put hazard and the
acquisition OF territory defeated by the adoption of this
proyso, renders il impossible for to vote for il,
nected. deem both of these objects with the dearest
rights and honor OF the country.
have examined the resolutions which have been pre-
sented to Congress by the legislatures of eight of the
States upon this subject, and find that this provso is
measure perhaps not called for by any of Them
not BY SIX OF them, and that its simple adoption at this
time, will leave unaalned the permanent objects sought
by all OF them. Their views expressed, follows
BY the Legislature of Vermont against the admission into
the federal Union OF any new State whose constitution
olerates slavery &C. BY the legislature of New Hamp-
SHIRE that should be taken for the extinction of
slavery Sin the District OF Columbia for its exclusion
IRON Oregon, and other territories, that now, at
any time hereafter may belong TO the United States"
By the legislature of Rhode Island against the ac-
QUESTION of territory by conquest otherwise beyond
the present limits Of the United States for the purpose of
establishing therein slaveholdng States, Sc BY the
legislature of New York "That il any territory is here
after acquired by the United States annexed thereto
the act by which such territory acquired annexed
whatever such act may be, should contain unaerabe
fundamental article or provision, whereby slavery, or In
voluntary servitude, except punishment for crime
shall be forever excluded from the territory acquired or
annexed" By the Legislature of New Jersey: Tha the
senator's &c, be requested to their best efforts to
cure, a fundamental provision to, or provision in,
any act OF annexation of any territory hereafter 10 be
qured by the United States, &c, that slavery nvo
untary servitude except punishment for crimes, shall
be forever excluded from the territory TO be annexed"
BY the Legislature of Pennsylvania: against any
measure whatever by which territory will accrue the
Union, unless part of the fundamental law, upon
which any compact treaty for this purpose is based
shall be forever excluded" By the Legislature OF
Ohio "for the passage OF in that body Con
gress) providing for the exclusion of slavery from
the Territory of Oregon, and also from any other terrific
ry that now u.s. or hereafter may be annexed TO the Uni
ted States BY the Legislature OF Michigan: "That in
the acquisition of any territory whether by pur-
chase, conquest otherwise, deem il the duty Of the
general government to extend the the ordinance
OF seventeen hundred and eighty with all its rights
and privileges conditions and immunties." Now, sir it
obvious that these resolutions either by their phraseo
logy by their object, look to permanent 'sproui-
SON." "funddmentai lar" drticle cor condiioan bv
which slavery should be forever excluded from the terri
tory in question-six of them very clearly So Two of
them, however-those of New Hampshire and Ohio-are
more general and this proviso would, perhaps, meet
their But is that adonted