The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-08
CONGRESSIONAL.



Mr. BOWDON said:
Mr. SPEAKER: am aware of the influence which the
feelings exercise the Judgment, and therefore fear
hat ali efforts arrest the of majority of this
House will prove unavailng But impending defeat does
moi always enjon silence justify tame submission to
the eyacons of power. blow las been aimed at the
rbs and honor OF the south, which ii the duty of her
representatives to expose and resist We now en-
yaqed in foreign war; armies IN the field and,
instead of devsng the ways and means OF replenishng
an exhausted treasury we are engaged IN heated dis
sson Of the question of slavery, which seems strangely
10 link itself at this time, with almost every subject Of
legislation Discord regns where union and harmony
should prevail What has produced this deporable state
of things? Who responsible Tor it These emphatic
Questions have been asked by the patriotic throughout
The land and deserve candid reply The record OF
proceedings furnishes the answer and proclams, in
fearful voice. that responsibility lies not at the door of the
south
Near the close of the last session of Congress, whilst
the shouts which followed the glorious victories the
Rio Gande were yet ringing IN the ears OF the nation the
gentleman from Pennsylvania MIR. WILMor] offered a
propiso the two million loan bill prohibiting the extern
SION of slavery TO any territory which might be acquired
from Mexico The majority here sustained him. AT the
beginning OF this ii hoped that better counses
would prevail; but we were doomed to sad dsappont-
nent At early day, gentleman from New York
Mr. PRESTON KINGl offered bill embodying the princi
pie OF the WmMor pror,so and proposing to enact sol
emn law in reference TO the government OF territory
which we have not, and never may acquire.
The second section of this extraordinary bill enacs
THAT any territory which may be secured to the Uni
ude shall forever be prohibited" The principle here set
forth has been sustained by speeches of various gentle
men from the north. They denounce slavery horri
Bile evil-a dark spot on the national escutcheon-and
proclaim to be the right and duty of the federal govern
nen to prevent its further diffusion Under these cir
cumsances the Oregon bill is brought forward, contain
ing provision prohibiting forever the introduction OF
slavery into that Territory In spirit OF patriotic con-
cession, gentleman from South Carolina Mr.. BuRTl
offered amendment, adding to that provision the fol-
lowing words:
IF
north of thysx degrees and thirty minutes north lat tude
known as the line of the Missouri compromise"
This amendment rejected the north alleging that
the Missouri compromise only embraced territory east
OF the Rocky mountains, and that they are unwilling to
extend that line OF compromise to the Paclhc. In all the
haughtiness of conscious power opponents appeal
from the spirit of the Missouri compromise to the alleged
principles of the constitution and boldly announce their
fixed determination to exert the whole force of the gov
eminent prevent the further diffusion OF slavery From
this statement OF facts, vouched by the journal OF our
1rio has dragged into this hall the veXed
question OF slavery Who the authors of the i'll
starred agitation, which has so much disturbed our de-
ceeding the north has rendered the ISSUE whilst the
south has reluctantly occupied the position OF defendant
Let this important fact be announced here, and proclaim
ed throughout the Union.
shall now proceed, Mr. Speaker, to discuss the ques
ton at issue, that spirit of calmness which its
whelmng importance so lmpenously demands. WIT may
amuse; denuncation may excite but argument alone is
worthy of great subject, involving the proper constrc
ion Of the constitution, and seriously affecting the inter-
ess of large portion of this Contederacy. The spirit
which led to the Missouri compromise has departed In
that of concession to the peace and harmony OF
the Union, the north now finds nothing to commend The
motto is, eve have the power and we will use It," The
south is thus driven to take her position behind the IN
enchments of the constitution which trust may prove
stronger barrier to the spirit of encroachment than any
compromise which may be dsregarded by the same ma
ority which makes it.
Let now examine the obnoxious feature of the Ore
yon bill and ascertain how far it accods with the prn
rples of the constitution and the Just rights OF the peo-
pie.
The 18th section provides
That the inhabitants OF said territory shall be entitled
enjoy all and singular the rights privileges, and advantages
granted and secured to the people OF the territory oil the
United States OF the river OHIO by the articles OF
compact contained IN the ordinance Tor the government oil
said territory, the thirteenth day Of July seventeen hun
ed and eighyseven and shall be subject TO all the condi
TONS and restrictions, and prohibitions in said articles OF
compact imposed upon the people OF said territory
What conditions, restrictions, and prohibitions" are
imposed by the article of compact contained IN the or
llnance OF 1857 The following extracts theretrom en-
body the principle which we are about TO incorporate in
the Oregon BILL and make ''unaherable," to wit
at Is hereby ordained and declared that the following
css shall be considered articles of compact between
The original States and the people and States in the said
territory northwest of the Ohio rver] and oeper remain
1nalteaue, unless by common consent, to WITT
art. g. There shall be neither slavery involuntary
'ervtude in said territory otherwise than in the pun
hmen of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted"
Such is the anti slavery feature of this bill sustained
BY the majority under the preext OF constitutional power,
adaptation OF the soil and climate OF Oregon to slave Ia
bor and the precedent furnished by the Missouri com
PROMISE can now have no influence upon our course we
forced to upon isolated proposition involving
he pouer of the FEDERAL government the subject of
slavery. We are about to establish precedent TO
,mbarrass us hereafter, and aid opponents in their
Wild crusade AGAINST southern institutions carried un
Ter the mask of philanthropy, but really nstgated by the
oube forces OF agraranism and lust OF dominion. l.
he object be not TO commit the government the ques
ION of jurisdiction, Why was the amendment offered b
frpr rpvlrn cag
BY geographical vote Why has slavery been denour
ed dark current, rolling over the continent and with
sring everything sacred III IFS march WY has the do
been boldly announced that the CALIFORNIA; and New
Mexico must be added TO the Union, with perpetual
Prohibition to slavery to surround the south with ga
ordon of free States " Ii am not deluded in the signs
ot the times, the future action of this government will
5ve to these questions emphatic and fearful re-
,ponse.
am aware, sir that gentlemen will vote for this bill
who neither desire nor anticipate any evil results But
must be recolected that the silent motives and collateral
considerations, which influence the action of members
will soon be forgotten whls the law are about to en-
ict will remain forever the statute book TO meet us
ike an apparton in every future trial OF strength Pre-
edent has already 10 extent superseded the cons
ution and am unwilling further TO dshgure our egs-
alton by adding TO the number of past Even in
his debate the action OF the old Congress- under the art
,les of confederation, has been unbushngly appealed
support of the monsrous beeses which mark the de.
yeneracy of the times.
In opposition to the sentiments thus promulgated,
assume and will endeavor to maintain, by reason and
authority, the following POSITIONS
list That new States should be admitted into this
ynon without reference to the existence OF slavery
therein; and 10 require Its abolition condition prece
lent TO such admission would be papabe usurpaton.
ID That TO accomplish in advance the same end, BY
preventing Shareholders from removing to the Territories
with their property in deroga1on OF the equal rights
secured to citizens of this republic, and contrary to the
rue INTENT meaning, and spirit, OF the constitution.
The first proposition Is susceptible OF easy demon
straon; and the second il less papabe, is equally true,