Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-01-16


taken this subject did the greatest credit to his head and
heart 1t showed that the gentleman true patriot that
he willing to foego the extension OF institution in
which he and his friends felt personally interested rather than
the hazard of having the peace Of America endangered
So far from deserving for his reference to the subject
here, Mr. ). considered him worthy of the highest
mendaon for the independence which he had manifested in
taking the lead in pointing out the evils that must grow out
any attempt TO Mexican conquess TO this Union
What then, the true course for the patriot who de-
sired above all things the perpetuy Of this Union and the
peace and happiness of the American people 1t to
take the middle ground stand firmly and resoutey
against the introduction of any territory into this Conederacy,
the admission Of which be followed by consequences
fatal to all American held DEAR 1t to keep out every
inch of territory in regard which the question Of slavery
could possibly present itself The who succeeded in
bringing such result would upon his country
the most precious of boons, and would have done much
towards giving security and pepeuiy to the peace and hap
piness of these States ..,.e
could not be disguised that any southern territory was
admitted this question must could not DO prevented.
and when did come, it would attended by train of
consequences far alarming than had attended the adms
sion of Missouri into the Union That terrible contest
would be but Pickering candle to the sum- when
pared with the CONFUSION which awaited this country should
the question be again forced upon 1t in the present ad
yanced condition of her maturity and strength
And here he would ask his friends of the North what
guaranty they counted finding in Wimos provo pro-
them against the extension of slavery by the admission of
more slave territory into the Union Mr. s. himself in
favor of that proyso Yet but abstract expression
trial would prove to be but idle abstraction.
guaranty all that slave territory would not be admitted
BECAUSE when this Mexican territory should have been
annexed to the territory the Union its people would
claim the right of regulating their condition in regard
the existence of slavery within their hounds If those pro-
vnces shoad be settled by population from the South they
would demand the right of admitting slavery there, and
human power had right to interfere with it. They would
have perfect right to shape out for themselves their
institutions.
Did gentlemen of the South fater themselves that treaty
sanconng the existence of slavery in these provinces
ever would be ratified by twohirds Of the members of the
Senatei The thought of such thing idle And, on
the other hand did Northern gentlemen persuade themselves
that guaranty should be inserted in such treaty that
slavery should exist in those Territories majority OF
two-rds could be obtained to rafy that condition Let
them not hope it. Such majority would be got to neither
proposition Why, them bring question that must con-
vuse the Union Gentlemen might fnd too late, that they
had applied match to the magazine and that their
had been the destruction Of their peace and Of the
sence Of this Union. Mr. s. held that true policy
keep of the question, by keeping out the territory.
He desired to this brought to close he longed
the long train of its disasters ended He entertained
fear that should arnh our national honor by making
peace with Mexico.
There seemed TO be idea in gentlemens minds
that should be forever dsgaced we did not whip Mexico
But he had idea that the world could be brought to
believe that nation like this could not cope with mil
lions The highest of all honor in doing
right Let take high, just, upright ground with
her that the oest honor of which either individual
! or country was capable.
| Mr. DARGAN after some preliminary remarks in apology
for combining his remarks TO the bill Immediately before tbs
committee, Tin which he said he should but follow the prac
tree which seemed be INDUCED here when the House
in Committee of the Whole the state of the Union said
that without either casting reproach those opposed to-
laung those who agreed with him in politics. he meant to
the attention of the House the actual situation Of the
country found now. II of little moment to look
back and the past the question with which the
House had deal this hat is present condition
e.
We had army employed in the invasion OF foreign
country. 1t had been supposed by gentlemen that the
Mexican degraded people that there was little to
be dreaded from their but he had entertained
such opinion He had observed something of mankind
and he had always believed that the most degraded and
cowardy of savages attacked and surrounded would fight
with desperation. So naton if finding itself in like con-
dton immediate danger of it, would fight to the very
last nor would the contest be Of a light trlfng
| character.
While our army was thus in the field, Treasury
exhausted, nearly and though the House doubt
very patriotic (and had passed vote declaring that we
patriotic peope,) had refused to tax the only ari-
ces which held guaranty Of rcplenlshng the ma
tonal Now very clear from the course OF
the war, that ultimately to into possession oil
territory The acquisition Of this might perhaps be now
desired by the Executive and perhaps by the country but
there could be bot little doubt but that territory, in great
er or less quantity, would certainly be acquired
This brought up another question: vastly more important
in bearings this condeacy than the power OF
Mexico If the forces Of Mexico prevailed against us
could from danger there's but when once this question
should be raised and disputed in this Union, there would be
escape from IT, let the consequences he what they would
He wished submit few remarks that question and
was possible the of them might not be quite acceptable
to his Southern friends for he had consulted with Of
them but he would his friends from the North (
friends they were) TO disregard, but candidy to weigh
them II the of slavery which produced all the
feeling that had been manifested here in regard to the acqu
son territory and had length led TO open threats Of the
dissolution Of the Union After tracing the existence Of sa
very in the Union, from its origin in Africa to its introduction
by the Of the British Government he noticed the drec
which had naturally taken toward the South an! there
il had its this time But il slavery benefit to
any, the people Of the South exclusively its beneficial
res BY no means. The millions Of Europe fed and
clothed Ivy the products of slave labor. Our cities built
canals dug railroads constructed and poor
population supplied with food and rament all from the labor
Of slaves This state of things had been permitted by an
oveung Providence whose Judgments he presumed, were
to be the subject Of impeachment on that floor II had
doubt been part Of the Divine arrangements, to bring
about the general good of the race, would have
been permitted And while the evils attending the system
all borne by the South, the North the chief bene
fcares from the good that effected There some
gentlemen he knew who considered themselves commits
stoned from Heaven burst its bonds asunder but when
called upon show IT, pointed, like Peter the Hermit TO the
emblem their banner What they had written there, Mr.
d. did know what they intended to hut Their course
Showed that they acuaed by all the aor which or
characterized the voares Of enthusiastic creed There
others who opposed in sentiment to the institution
but who did take active and direct part in efforts
against it, For his part, he Of those who be-
cyed that having been permitted by Divine uncrng wisdom
TO exist could not he productive of injury to mankind
When otherwise, He knew how to restrain 10 ter
inmate it, But let attempt force such result by