The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-01-26
Speech of MIR. King of N. Y.

MIR. speaker, L Dnu III the Union oil this
morning paragraph, abiding presume, to
bill which yesterday asked leave TO intro
duce. The editor of the Union, it is evident.
mistakes the purpose of tine bill. | desire
briefly TO state the reasons and Opinions which
induced me TO propose the measure; and,
that | may not be misunderstood, | have
written what propose to say.
Sir, in proposing 10 Introduce that bill,
had no intention 10 interfere with or anlici-
pate the action Of the standing committee
from which it came to the House al the last
session, but was governed solely by the de-
sire 10 bring the subject presented BY the pre-
visions OF the bill to the early consideration
and action of the House. The bill embraces
two principal features-one placing an a
mount OF money at The discretion of the Pres
ideut, to be used in negotiating peace with
Mexico. if an opportunity shall occur when
the President should deem it proper TO use
this money in negotiating treaty Of peace !;
the other excluding slavery from any terrific
ry which the Uuited States may hereafter ac-
quire, being the provision offered by the hon.
orahle gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
WILMoST.) and adopted as a part Of this
measure fy The House of Representatives in
august last. will frankly say that, if had
not supposed that there was disposition in
some quarters 10 give the free principle of the
Wilmot proposition the go-by. and, by smoth-
ering and avoiding action upon it, to give
further extension 10 the dominions Of slavery
at the expense Of free territory, should not
at this time have brought forward this BILL
The President recommended, and reiterates
his recommendation, of the law granting the
Two millions.
Mr.. Payne interrupted and W as put down
by the speaker.
Mr. King thereupon proceeded: II coup
led with the Wilmot proviso. ] would cheer
fully grant the money. But l would have
the free principle Of the Wilmot proviso en-
acted into law whether this bill passes or not
The time has come when this Republic
should declare by law that it will not be made
an instrument to the extension Of slavery on
The continent of America. That the bounda-
ries, institutions. and principles Of our Re-
public must and will extend, there can be no
doubt. The present war with Mexico must
result 10 an extension of the territory of the
United States. A peace honorable to this
country cannot be concluded without indem-
nifty from Mexico in territory. Ii is whisper
ed that it will not do to propose law that
any such territory should be free territory.
because Southern Administration will take
no territory unless it shall be so arranged
that the territory shall be opened to slavery.
will not listen to or harbor so monstrous an
idea.
Every inch Of Texas was yielded to slave
~, know that it was reluctantly yielded to
the possessions Of slavery by many who sup
posed the acquisition Of Texas might be haz-
arded by any discussion about the terms so
strenuously insisted upon by The representa-
tives oil the slave States; but, with Texas
the extension Of slavery, it was supposed,
would stop. 1t was hoped The South would
not desire to carry it where it does not exist.
Is This so! The two millions are distinctly
urgently, and repeatedly recommended by
the President 10 be appropriated. There is
no other purpose for which this appropria-
ton can be wanted except in connection with
a cession of territory by Mexico. Mexico
alreaty owes US unpaid indemnities for ac-
knowledged and adjudicated spoilations on
our commerce. repeat, we must have ter
ritory from Mexico; and there can be no
harm in stating under what circumstances
when every action of our government pro-
rlaims it to the world as clearly and as uner-
ringly as words could do
Shall the territory now free which shall
come to our jurisdiction be free territory open
10 settlement by the laboring men Of The free
States, or shall it be slave territory given up
10 slave Labor! One or the other il must he;
it cannot be both. The labor Of the free white
men and women, aud Of their children. can
not and will not eat and drink, and lie down.
and rise up with the black labor ofihe slaves;
free white labor will not be esraded by such
association. IL slavery is not excluded by
law, the presence Of The slave will exclude the
labOrinS white man. The young men who
went with their axes to the forest, and hewed
out Of the wilderness such States as Ohio.
and Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa. and
Wisconsin. would never have consented, in
workshops or in the field. to be coupled with
negro slaves. These powerful common
wealths have sprung up in the great West.
within the memory Of a single generation.
free, populous. and flourishing, by the wis
dom of the legislation Of the rnen of the Rev
olution. One act of this Government did
more for them than all other acts of legisla-
ton. 1t was the ordinance of July, l7S7, by
which slavery and involuntary serviiude. ex
cept for crime, was forever prohibited in all
The territory OF the United States. north and
WeSt oil tue ONO riVeT. ne brave anu pat.
riotic generation who achieved our indepen-
lence, and established the Republic, did moi
hesitate about passing such an act. They
hus saved these now populous and powerful |
States from the evils of slavery and a black
population.
Shall we hesitate to DO the same thing for
erritory where slavery does lot now exist
trust not. The man who has wealth or
edit TO purchase plantation, and becomes
he owner of slaves, may settle and reside
without social degradation,in county where
slaves exist. Not so with the lahoring white
nan. He cannot go without social degreda-
ion, and he therefore will not go. He is ex
ludcd quite as effectually as he could be by
aw. The mere presence sof slavery, wher-
vcr i; exists. degrades the condition, the re-
probability, the character Of labor. A false
nd mischievous public opinion regarding the
condition and responsibility of labor is pro
uced by its presence and false and recreani
o his race and to his constituency would be
ny Representative of free white men and
'omen, who should by bis vote place free