Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-08-18
FREE SOIL vs.. SLAVERY.
MIR. COrWln'S great Speech against ihC Com
promise Bill.-[EEVIsED.l
Delirered in LIc U. S. Ssnale, Jalu 2l. 18Io

10 assign TO the Senate a reason for prolonging
this debate, especially after the very elaborate
and lucid exposition Of the bill now before US
which has been given by the Senator from YER
mont; | feel compelled, however, from various
considerations, with which will not trouble the
Senate, TO state, in very few words, If that be
possible, what my objections are TO the passage
of this bill; aud, it may be, to offer some few
observations in reply such propositions as have
been announced At various times during this de-
bate, by Senators on the olhersid Of the Cham
Der. | have listened, with great eagerness,
since the commencement of this discussion, TO
everything that has been said, with lhe most sin
cere and unleigned desire to make myself ac-
quainied with at least the primary elements and
principles which enter into the composition oI
the bill. And, think | may say, without ex-
posing myself to the charge of egotism, that |
feel as little the influences which have been
spokeH Of by the Senator from Vermont as it is
desirable that any gentleman, acting in the ca
,uaciy of alsgislalor, should feel. donot par
iicpale, however, may advise gentlemen, in
the belief which Eas been so constantly express
ed during This discussion, that this IS a subject
which is likely to produce that terrible and mo-
mentous excitement that IS spoken ol, | be-
lieve if this principle were discussed solemny,
and, so 10 speak, abstractedy from those extra
neous circumstances too frequently adyerted to
here, that we should be much more likely to ar
rive at a satisfactory conclusion TO ourselves,
and at more satisfactory results, hope, TO those
who are to come after us. have no bcuel that
the passage Of law, such as is now before the
Senate, will produce disruption Of the bonds
that hold this Union together. have no belief
that the passage Of the law so much deprecated
by some gentlemen on this side by the name, if
you please, of the "Wilmot Proviso," could. by
any possibility whatever, induce the Southern
portion of the Union, which, we are told, is so
much excited on the subject, to tear themselves
asunder from the constitutional compact by
which we are all held together. Sir, if | enter
tained an opinion of this kind, should scarce
ly think a seat on this floor worth possessing fer
a single day. do not think the technical term
spoken of by the Senator from Vermont, the
"Wilmot Proviso," can Of itself exercise that
influence upon statesmen Of exalted intellect Of
the South, which has been inUmated by gentle
men who have participated in this debate
What is this terrible "WmOt Proviso," that
has been erected here and elsewhere into such
a raw.head and bloody-boncs, TO use a very ex-
Why, sir, there are about me Senators who know
very well TO whom the paternity of the "Wil-
mot Proviso," as it has been recently baptized,
belonged. They know that lhesame gentleman
who drafted the Declaration Of Independence,
which is hung up in our halls and placed in our
lbrares, and regarded with the same reverence
as our BibIe-ior it has become a Gospel Of
Freedom all over the world as well as in this
counlry--dralted that which Is called the "Wll-
mot ProviSo," composing as it did a section of
the Ordinance Of 1887, and that The hand that
drafted both was Jcilerson's. There have been
some strange misnomcrs i'll regard to acts, some
strange confusion Of nomenclature in this coun-
Try, as in this case when part OF the Ordinance
of 1897 has cone to bear The appeIlution OF the
"Wilmot Provso." Sir, much as respect that
gentleman for his position upon this subject,
which has connected his very name with the
Ordinance of 1857, deny him the honor Of
originating it. 1t is piracy Of the copyright.
| do not see that there is any danger than South.
ern gentlemen, after the lapse of SO many years,
aud a!ier the founding Of young empire in the
West by virtue of that Ordinance. will so dcs-
ecrate the memory Of Jefferson and spit on his
grave, because we merely re-enact that Ordi-
nance over Territory which has subsequently
come into our possession. ! have no idea that
such consequences will follow from the passage
of such u law, as gentlemen have predlcted.--
There must have been u strange revolution
wrought in the minds Of Southern gentlemen
between 1887 aud 1913, if such consequences
are 10 follow. And ] could not help observing
while The Senator from Vermont was EXPRESSING
these noble sentiments, which everybody, even
those who do not feelthem, must admire, telling
us we should act here Independently of the ex-
element without these walls, and that we,should
scorn those newspaper paragraphs in which We
are vlIltied, written by those who know liltle of
the motives by which we are influenced, and
who care less; | could not help observing that
at lasl The Senator admonshed US that there was
an excitement abroad which we must allay; and
10 do that, he agreed 10 this bill, although it was
somewhat different from that which he desired
so that the lion. hearted Senator from Ver-
mont has agreed to this Compromise, as it is call
ed because there is an excitement which he
wishes 10 allay by it. Sir, desire TO see gen.
llemen act and vote here as if there was no ex-
ry, at least, to allow any influences TO operate
upon my ydeIiberate judgment, except those which
belong 10 the relation Of representative and con-
slituent. 1t is the tarheSt from my intention of
anything that can be conceived of to say any
thing in regard to this bill which may wound
the feelings of gentlemen who have labored so
hard 10 produce something that would satisfy us
all. The Senator from Vermont has acted as
he should have acted, has acted nobly in rela-
ilon to this matter, and know very well that
ne Will be willing TO accord to me the same rule
.ol aonon, The same independence that he has
uSeui ana lear, when come to speak Of the
plll' l sha!l oe under the necessity of avaiIing
myself of what the gentleman has called q
especial demurrer" for do not think there is
such pressing necessity for the passage of the
bill, as to oblEge us to lorego the statement of
such objections as we may entertain. Suppose
you enact no law what will happen! Oregon
has for manY years taken care Of herself nnd