Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-03

ponsibilily. lie was opposed to the committee,
because he wanted Oregon TO stand by ITSELF
He was OBJ osed to the bill in its present form
and, though lie did not say so, we believe he VIII
go for the proviso over the three territories.
Mr.. Corwin (Whig of Ohio) rose, at three
o'clock, with the design as he said OF speaking
only few words in few minutes. lie had no
fears that the bill would destroy the Union lie
had no fears that the Wilmot Proviso, of which
/ Jefferson was the authorize meant the ordln-
ance of 1887, if placed over all those territories
would provoke the South to withdraw from the
Union. He depicted the wisdom and benign OPP
Grafton of the ordinance, as excluding slavery
forever from the great empire OF the North west.
He dwell, with overwhelming power, upon the
horrors of slavery and its desolating Influences
and while he would sustain il in the States, I'm.
der Obligation TO the constitution, he would exter-
inmate it forever in every other part of the world
if he bad the power. 1t had been said that slave
ry already exists within California and New
Mexico
Mr. Hunnogan-Ycs Peon slavery exists
there, of the most absolute kind.
Mr. Corwin take it for granted that
this was so /; but if this humlatIng and barbar-
GUS slavery doom human beings and their poster
ity to perpetual bondage for five dollars debt,
as found TO exist in territory acquired by Us,
shall It be said that instead Of promptly abolish
ing it, we will make that the pretext tor The IN
PRODUCTION also of our own absolute system OF
negro slavery? Can it be- that we shall appeal
to the inferno, Mexican law as authority for ex-
tending our own accursed system to the shores
! of the Pacific ? There no safety in the bill.
Whether or not it opened Oregon to the adms-
sion OF slavery, 1t certainly expressly provides
| Tor planting slavery in California and New Mex
leo. 1t was for Congress to decide upon the
question, and TO decide 1t now. One OF the first
difficulties the boundary of New Mexico
| Texas claims to the Rio Grande. Where is the
boundary? What is to prevent "A conflict of ju.
risdiction unless you settle the boundary? lie
opposed the bill, because it transferred the
slavery question IN New Mexico and California
TO Justices OF the peace and the Supreme Court.
The supreme judges, like ourselves, are govern
ed by sectional opinions President Polk will
take care OF slavery in his appointments of gov
ernors and Judges. Slavery will go there, and
once there, you cannot root 1t out Admit its
right to dispute the ground with you and who
will take possession? He cited the opinion of
the fathers VI the constitution The carly pro-
ceedings in the colonies for the suppression of
| the slave trade and said Mr.. c., but for South
Carolina and Georgia demanding that trade for
twenty years longer, slavery would be found in
only one or two States Of the Union. Better that
South Carolina aud Georgia should have been
forever shut out from the Union, tilun that this
concession should have been made The South
claim that they shed their blood with the North
in the conquest Of this territory, and hence their
right to JOINT participation. Well sir, said Mr..
CorwIn, If we have wresIed this territory from
Mexico by piracy, blooIshed and murder it would
be well that like the hottest of thieves, we should
have the spolls. But gentlemen dare not say
ihnt nv II
bought, though you continued Strengthening the
MeXlcans Til they consented to sell.
Alter speech of three hours, which swept
like consuming fire through the dry grass, I'M
der hlgh wind, destroying in its flames argu-
ments, appeals, authorities, compromises -eav-
ng the whole question in the naked form OF the
; admission or exclusion Of slavery, Mr. Corwr
concluded by planting himself upon the COM
j pact OF 1857, III regard TO ali these territories
With the fathers OF the constitution lie would
; stand or fall.
TUESDAY, July 25.
Senate. Tho Territorial bill was taken up.
MIR. Underwood made long speech, defining
his position. lie was the Southern member o
the Select Committee who opposed the Missouri
!! compromise. lie was Tor giving Governments
to the three territories; one branch 10 be elected
by the Mexicans, the other to consist of the Gov
ernor and the Judges TO be appointed by the Fed
UcV-iriicf'S, act Us --oiiCS-' upon
, each other
, AIR. Bul6r followed Mr. Underwood, and re-
piled TO Messrs. Dix and Cameron.
Mr.. Footc followed MIR. Butler, and rebukcd
the North for first INDUCING in slave traffic, aud
then turning to deprive The South oi It's property
in slaves.
Mr. Wcslcott next spoke on the Southern side.
The Senate then adjourned.
House.-Mr Chapman, from the Committee
; on Rules and Orders, reported an Amendment
abolishing the privilege OF speaking five minutes
on any amendment.
1t was discussed by Messrs. Evans, Garland,
Vlnton Bayly and others.
On motion of Mr. Colamer, the report was laid
on the table.
The Oregon Bill was taken up.
MIR. Harris made set sp .ech, replying to MIR,
! billiard, and sustaining the Administration.
Mr.. Bayy read defence of the Virginia Rep
resentatIves in the last Congress, on Tie Oregon
question, in reply to the speech OF Isaac f.
| Holmes.