Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-03-12

rltQTY and concluded by saying If our slaves
were not represented, he would not object to
its extensions and by denouncing the idea of
receiving our free negroes at the north So
that the sum and substance of his speech is,
Unless you agree that slaves shall not be
counted IN the apportionment of representa-
tives, your slaves shall not go south, and
your free negroes shall not go north. That
was the condition In which he would place
the south.
That was one course of argument; that was
one plan OF the campaign adopted by the gen.
tleman from New York which really seemed
to dread the political power more than it alb
horred the slavery of the south.
But the honorable gentleman from Pennsyl-
vania, Mr. Wilmot,l who was the author of
this declaration of war upon the reputation
and constitutional rights of the south, adopted
a different course. He, with somewhat vehe-
ment defamation. stated that all he wanted,
was, that the Government should assume
position of &c neutrality;'' and he capped the
climax OF has doctrine of neutrality, by intro
ducing positive proposition, inviting the Co.
vernment to interfere! The gentleman pro-
ceeded to speak very kindly of the spirit of
compromise; but evinced his compromising
spirit by advocating proposition which vio-
ldLCS oil llIC COul plGsIlISeS Vi
and the Missouri compromise also He de-
nounced the idea of allowing slavery to make
further aggresslons upon the south, and as he
considered this "a matter of naked and abb
stract right he would have his shoulder
drawn from its socket, before sshe would WELD
an inch.' Yet he stated as for himself, he
had &C no squeamish sensibility,'' emo morbid
sympathy for the slaves, and admitted that
he had advocated the annexation of Teras
| with slavery IN it,
Political power, therefore, was the first
weopon used in the fight Protested govern
mental neutrality" explained TO mean gov
ernmental interference, was the sacond but
the third was brought out yesterday and then
the honorable gentlemen from Ohio Mr. Brin-
kerhoff] and New York Mr. Wood invoked
| the aid of our Saviour, as one who ssspake as
never man spake," contended that we could
not dare to throw &C the mantle of Christianity
around this CURSE and proceeded, at least
one OF them, IN the most pIOus and affecting
manner, by well digested course of reason
ing, 10 consign the hapless STAKEHOLDER to NOR
al degradation In this world and to eternal
perdtion in the world to come
Before proceed, then, Mr. Chairman, to
reply to the arguments used by these gentle
men. take the liberty of doing what ! regret
these gentlemen did not do, of making at least
respectful all,tsion to the Constitution. |
have always thought sir, it was the pride and
boast of Americans that we not only lived in
the enjoyment of the blessings of free Gov
eminent, but that our rights, our property, &
happiness, are protected by arritten ConSti-
tuition, which we are all taught to regard as
sacred and inviolable; a Constitution written
by the same hands that had Just welded the
sword in the cause of human freedom; Con
stituton dictated by hearts burning with al
ardent love of liberty, and just released from
the thraldom of tyranny. And when a wise
Iegislator-one who appreciates his response
bility as representative, and his rights as
citizen-is invited into a new field of legisla
ton, he turns to the pages of the Constitution
to learn whether he has the constitutional
right to act, before he proceeds TO the subordi
nate considerations of policy and expediency
And, sir, if there ever was a question which
should call into exercise all our self-control
all our wisdom, all our patriotism, and strlc
adherence to the Constitution, it is this ques
ton of slavery; This dangerous rock upol
which wise and good men have gloomiIy fore
BODIED that our shipof State would one da.
be wrecked, and the world be called sadly t.
gaze upon the sundered and bleeding frag
ments OF our c; ice, glorious and happy Union
But if we are true upon this question to our
selves, true tostllat Constitution, the sheet-an
, Choir of our safety, this storm-cIoud that nov
. darkens our political horizon, and threatens
5rsse ~. IS fury and scatter desolatioD an
dismay thraHgh our widespread republic. ;, WI y!
pass off in halesS silence ana .f'se penn mn
it cIearer sky a1 more sehial stlis.ii.l'
Sir, however exalfNS may Dc ne Panlo a;s;s
however honest the meSSVes, nov low ever 1 IlS1
teEesrea the 1o M - e not hes
. who have originated this SON soIo,on ~
!. tate, here in my place, upon the Aentativ,
: sponsibilities Of man and a represS as ths
to contend that, in my opinion, it violate .1 +
9 written Constitution which we have sworn
support; that it is pregnant with mischiefr
= the peace and harmony, and, in the estimato
{ OF many wise men, with the ultimate destruC
, ton of this Union.
q Mr. Chairman, do not propose to declair
! about this, but to discuss it. scorn to indulg
: IN elimination and recTimination; and eXcitin
as this topic is, still indulge the belief tina
there Is good sense enough left, that there
patriotism enough left in this House, to ena
BILE us &c to reason together about it, and to re
member that this is not a noisy debating sOcie
ty, gotten up for amusement, but the Hous
OF Representatives of great and proud repub
lie. Sir, distinctly take the position, tho
staveS are recognised as property under on
Constitution that an that Constitution safe
guards to protect this peculiar property are er
pressly contained; and that 1vithout the incor
PoTation Of these safeguards, this gloroius Tn
1on c0utd not hare been cOnSummGted Thi
Federal Government exists under the Consti
tuition; it derives all its power from the Con
shtutlon; 1t must be administered by rules pre-
scribed solely by that Constitution, and pos
sesses no powers but those sexpressly dele
gated to it - And | contend, sir, that any &C
of Congress which prohibits the citizens o
: the southern States from carrying their slav
property with them into territory the common
property of the United States, Uiolates mos
paLpably the faith and compromises Of the Con
StitWion; is unwarranted by any clause con
tanned in thatinstrument; is sectional, unequal
oppressive; because while it announces to thu
may go and enjoy this territory with all thei
property, in the same breath it notifies the cit
liens of another section if they go and settle
there they must leave their slave property be
hind them, In which property they have in
vested millions OF money under the sacre:
guarantees of the Constitution
And here am met at the very threshold by
gentlemen, who not only deny that slaves art
recognised as property, but repel the charge
with eloquent Indignation, as SANDER upor
that free Constitution, and libel upon the
wise and good men who framed it. Here
take issue with them. And they make thi;