Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-04


every one of the propriety of the high eulogium
which he pronounced upon her the other day,
when he spoke Of the high position which she
occupied among the States OF this confederacy.
But enough OF this personal matter
think, If did not misunderstood the honor
able Senator from South Carolina, that he is sur
prised at the temerity of the Senator from New
Hampshire in introducing this bill. Let me ask
what is this bill {? What is this incendiary bill
that has elected such a torrent of invective p
Has it been manufactured by some "fanatlcal
abolitronist?" Why, it is copied, almost word
for word from a law on the statute book, which
has been in operation for some years, IN the
neighboring State of Maryland 1t has no allu-
sion, directly or indirectly, TO the subject Of sa-
very. Yet am accused OF throwing IT as fire.
brand, and in order to make war upon the instl-
tutions of the South! How? Ia Gods name
is it come to this, that the American Senate, and
in the year of grace one thousand eight hundred
and forty eight, the rights of property cannot be
named, but the advocates OF slavery are In arms,
and eXclaim that war is made upon their lnstItu-
tons, because it is attempted to cast the protec-
ton of the law over the property Of an American
citizen, who appeals to an American Senate!
1t has long been held by you that youc pecu-
liar institution is incompatible with the right of
speech; but if it be also Incompatible with the
safeguards of the constitution being thrown a.
round property Of American citizens, let the
country know it If that is 10 be the princip Pile
of your action, let it be proclaimed throughout
the length and breadth Of the land, that there is
an institution so omnipotent--so almighty--that
even the sacred rights OF life and property must
bow down before II!
Do not let it be said that have introduced
this subject have simply asked that the plain
est provisions Of common law-the clearest die
tates Of justice--shallb be extended and exercised
of bp nj
this District; and yet, the honorable Senator
from South Carolina is shocked at my temcrity.
Mr.. BUTLER.--Allow me to ask one question
with perfect good temper. The Senate is dis
cussing the subject with some feeling; but ask
him whether he would vote for bill, properly
drawn inAictipg punishment on persons inveigl-
ing slaves from the District of Columbia.
Mr.. HALE Certainly not, aud why? Because
do not believe that slavery should exist here.
Mr.. CALHouN.-( his seat.l He wishes to arm
the robbers, and disarm the people Of this Dis
trict.
Mr.. HAIE.--The Hon. Senator is alarmed at
NY temerlty,-
Mr.. CALHOUN I'm his seat.)-j did not use
the word but did not think it worth while to cor
rect the Senator.
Mr.. HALE.-The Senator did not use the term.
Mr.. CALHouN,-No. said it was brazen in
the Senator, or something like that.
was strange then that [ should introduce a bill
for the protection Of property in this District
bill perfectly harmless, but which he has con.
strued into az attack upon the South. ask the
Senator and the country wherein consists the
temerlty? | suppose in the section Of the coun-
try from which it comes. He says we seem to
think that the South has lost all feeling? All
There's the temerity. The bill comes from the
wrong side Of certain boundary Why, did
bp
agine that we OF the North with our faces bowed
down to the earth, and our backs to the sun, had
received the lash SO long that we dared not look
up? Did he suppose that we dared not ask the
protection OF the law TO be thrown around ptop-
erly in the District to which we came to legls-
late?
! desire no war upon the institution of slavery
IN the sense in which the Senator understands
the tern. | will never be party to any en-
cToachments upon rights guaranteedby the Con-
stltution end the law-not at all. wish to war,
hut a war Of reason--of persuasion of argu-
ment; war that should look to convincing the
understanding, subdulng the affections and mo-
wing the synpathies of the heart. That is the
only war IN which would engage. But it is
said that the tine has come that the crisis
has come, and that the South must meet it, In all
candor and honesty, then, let me say, that there
could not be better platform on which to meet
pies OF this bill. There could not be a better
occasion than this to appeal 10 the country. Let
the tocsin sound. Let the word go forth. Let
the free North be told that her craven Represen-
tatives on The floor Of the Senate are not at lib
erly even 10 claim the protection Of the rights
Of property!
The right of speech was sacrificed long ago
But now 1t is TO be proclaimed lhat VIC cannO,
even introduce a bill looking to the execution Of
the painest provisions of the Constitution, and
the clearest principles of Justice for the protec-
ton Of personal rights, because gentlemen
choose to construe it into an attack upon that
particular instullon?
ask again, what it is that has produced this
step, called up these denuncations, excited all
this lnvective which has been poured out upon
me as if had been guilty of all the crimes in
the decalogue? | call upon the Senate and the
country to take notice of it. ! ask ON what do
gentlemen Of the South rely for the protection
of any institutions on which they place any val
ue? 1t will he answered upon the constitution
and the law. Well, Them if the safeguards OF
the constitution are rendered inadequate to the
protection OF one species Of property, how can
It be supposed that there will be protection for
any? 1t is because desire TO maintain IN all
their strength and ability, the safe guards of the
constitution, that have introduced this bill for
the protection of property in this District. And
here let me tell The Senator from Alabama, that
lie will have my full cooperation in any measure
TO prevent kidnapping. shall expect him 10
redeem his pledge. Again: | am shocked to
hear the honorable Senator from South Carolina
denounce this bill! measure calculated to re-
press those citizens from the expression of their
just Indignation.
Mr.. CALHoUN.-If the Senator will allow me
viii explain. | said no such thing. But will
tako the OCCASION to say that would Just as soon
argue with maniac from bcdlam, al with the
Senator from New Hampshire on this subject.
SEVERAL SENAroRs Order, order.
Mr.. CALHoUR-L do not intend TO correct his
statements A man who says that the people
of this District have no right in their slaves
and that it is no robbery to take their property
from them-is not emitted to be regarded as il
possession of his reason.
Mr., HALE.-It is an extremely novel mode Of
terminating controversy by charitebly throwing
the mantle Of manacal responsibility over ones
antagonist But the honorable Senator putt
words into my mouth which never used. / die
not say that the owners had no property in thei
slaves. | SAID that the institution exists, but
have not given an opinion upon the point to whicl
III, k,, lido l i -