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

,ba Mad adonted mon wrong information, he would not
hesitate to take the responsibility OF dsooeyhg lne'
and would rely with confidence on inc pu,S fna,;nn
with the people, who the common masters Oh az
the representatives. But upon question on whch
public opinion was clear he should never hesa'e'
and wouM cbeeruy obey-for in his opinion, no primer
ple was more clear than that the agent was bound 10
carry out in good faith the wishes OF his principal 90
clear was he on this subect, lha ne Sd h, h.
tate to give up his own opinion and adopt that when ne
knew to be the decided opinion OF ms o'e III e IsI
before u.s. there room Tor doubt Inc people Oh
Pennsylvania united IN the WISH tha no more save
territory shall be acquired by this confedency and they
fear that il this bill becomes law, VIII BRING an ac-
cession of slavery with it, Their resolution is SO clear
inc been before the author of the instructions when they
were penned They are in these words:'
esolred That our senators and representatives in Com
gross be requested against nny measure whatever
fy which territory will accrue the Unon unless
part the fundamental law upon which any compact OF
treaty purpose is based, slavery or involuntary
seryiue except tor crime, shall be forever prohibited
So united the legislature, that out OF 1873 members
in the houses only three votes were recorded against
the resolution Its the Legislature represents
the county which is the residence OF Mr. WnMoT
the originator OF the provso the other end OF the Cap
to They personal friends and in this case they have
Question Of extending slavery Whether is wise to
graft exciting question upon bill claimed Dy the ex
ecutve as all important to speedy and honorable teHn
nation OF the war; time will determine. The people OF
my State will never interfere with the constitutional
rights OF their southern brethren They would be among
the first pour their blood and treasure to sustain the
non or to protect from wrong he people OF Inc souh
ern States NO man there desires TO interfere win the
local and peculiar institutions OF the ooul put very
many of them believe that, if left TO themselves, the
tire southern people will, in due time, and in their
way, abolish the entire institution of slavery; they think
too that this great community of States may, like
beers of partnership, before the purchase of terri
tory with the funds of the firm decide among
themselves what shall be made of the purchase Al
ter the land shall have been bought will, in their opn-
lon be 100 late to limit uses lie added mat he could
not waste the time OF the senate al inns late hour near
midnight, IN dllaling upon this SUBJECT
| Mr. JOHNSON, of Maryland, and said Before
the sense of the Senate is taken upon this measure,
rise to state very succncy the reasons for my vote
opposed to any clause prohibiting slavery territory
which may be acquired by the United States but my OPP
position is exclusively founded upon constitutional
grounds Ii is too late to argue it. can only state my
opinion think il apparent from the general spirit OF
the constitutions that the States were intended to be- at
all times equal and in all things equal that the equality
was not designed to be broken in upon in regard to terri
tory which might thereafter become the property OF the
United States by their common efforts and common
means hold it to be clear that if clause like this is
will be practically excluded from settling, any way in
territory which may become ours under this bill In my
opinion that effect is as certain and absolute as if they
were in terms excluded II slavery can be perm aneny
prohibited SO that the prohibition Will be binding on the
States be formed out of it after they admitted into
the Union, then slavery by opposite provision, could
in like manner be permanently provided for and establish
ed Such proposition as the latter would, think re-
ceive favor from no quarter and yet in my Judgment,
the question of power is Identical To prohibit slavery
and to establish slavery are but the opposite exerton
| the same power | can vote for neither Having ex-
pressed this opinion it is due to myself and to convc-
lions long and unalterably fixed to state the opinion
entertain upon the institution of slavery itself | have
no opinion which wish to conceal upon any question,
whether il arises prematurey or not il it does arise
believe and have ever believed since was capable of
thought that il is great affection to any coun-
try where it prevails; and so believing can
never vote for any measure calculated TO enlarge
| its area. or to render more permanent IFS dl-
ration In some Attitudes and for some agricultural sta
pes slave labor NAV be- to the master the most valuable
species of labor though this greatly doubt In others
and particularly in nv own State am convinced that il
is the very dearest species of labor and in all as far as
national wealth and power and happiness are concerned
am persuaded admits OF no comparison with the labor
OF free menand above all disguise il as we may if the
laws of population shall be changed by Providence,
or mans nature shall not be changed, il institution,
sooner or later pregnant with fearful peril 1t is unne-
cessary and would be improper to enlarge on such al
topic In my own State, sir satisfied that, but for
the movements of political aboitioniss slavery would
ion was all setting towards its gradual extinction
Laws were passed to encourage and facilitate man
OMISSION but these movements have changed this
opinion and caused laws to be modified, almost
to the prohibition of freedom The opinion | hold
upon this institution not for the first time formed
or expressed by southern man The history OF our
country proves this AT the period OF the declaration of
our independence-a the period of the adoption of the
constiution--here but sentiment upon the sub
lec amongst enlightened southern statesmen What
have said was on every proper occasion, orcbly
said bv them and as foremost amonsgt them, by Mr..
'ne ~" ..,' or change1 do oost o,rnastl, hone
OPINION "as eTe. Inoila,Seu 40 mus. e:.I oP1,
therefore, ana oeheVe' nal 'he SCUM IS le. 10 i.se
| furys