The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-14
constitution has settled or ought have settled its

ceded by slave States, may answer that much of
these lands have been acquired and many OF these
ces.ions have been made by free States. New York
made the very first cession III 1881. AT the time she
lie that cession, that State could leglslae upon the
subject OF slavery she conveyed all her powers to Con
gre $40 residnu left aud yet IL happens, ~ the
ACT of transfer from receiver TO another OF those
powers has depared-,has been lost by some unknown
process in political achymy-i has vanished like VIOLA
lille essence emitting scent to tell OF It's where
abous The Federal Legislature took just what New
York granted and yet hear asserted that Congress
has no power legislae this subject that its power
is limited TO the disposition OF these territories Why,
sir when propositions OF this KIND, overlooking the
whole practice OF government from the beginning are
gravey presented for the purpose OF sustaining such
position no mortal man can tell what next may be as
sumed
In 17s7, need not remind the Senate, the ordinance
relating to the Northwest Territory passed exclud
ing slavery from the territory north OF the Ohio Each
and every of the States which have come into the Unon
formed out of that territory, came subject to this re-
srction In 1898, the Territory OF Mississippi was or
ganized and Congress prohibited The Introduction OF
slaves there from any port out OF The United STATES In
1901 Territories formed out oil Louisiana, ana
there again Congress restricted slavery IN advance and
in divers ways; among others, prohibiting slaves from
being carried into the Territory unless by their owners
who shall be citizens OF the United States, and unless
taken there with view TO actual settlement All
the vast territory of Louisiana settled under these
on the settlement OF the Missouri question, that slavery
should net exist in that State north OF thirty
degrees thirty minutes north latitude. Congress has
again and recently exercised the same power as To-
the settlement of slaves in Oregon. Are these re-
peaed precedenis, coeva almost with the commence
ment of orr government, and coming down TO the
present. go for nothing? II does seem TO mel say II
with great respecttaat ii there were any doubts Oh
this question 10 the power OF Congress 10 esslate
with respect 10 slavery IN the territories, those doubts
be held settled by the pas conduct OF the govern
ment Thus much IN vindlcatIon OF past votes on Tins
subject But will now say again that | trust and hope
that, regards the territory north OF hry-two degrees
which may acquire from Mexico by virtue OF this
treaty, this question may be al rest hold II TO be an
OF wisdom, well as OF patriotism, to agitate il only
view TO practical results. But let the north bear in
mind-et it never be forgotten, that II the question DE
not settled now will probably presented hereafter in
all its terrible reality The line will probably be pushed
in future further south; it will go tar south as TO in
corporate territory which will clearly be slave territory
territory where slaves may be employed, not IN agrcu-
metals-he worst, the most fatal OF all species OF pro-
ducon tina, the industry blight the prosper
ty of nations
have said here, as said in this chamber in secret
session. that the question: the practical question: be-
fore and the country not whether would take
this territory territory, but whether we would take
this territory territory This it seems to Is
the real question which presents Itself TO our consdera
ton. In taking this position, actaed by no fear
of Executive power, fear of Mr.. Polk the honor
able senator would to intimate. The position was
taken upon calm and careful examination OF the state
OF things by which were surrounded, and reflection
upon what would be the state OF things at the end OF
another campaign, after treasure had been wasted
more lives expended after Mexico should have been
more efecuay and fully broken to pieces, and on our
hands a state of utter Reorganization The honora-
bic senator from Massachusetts, even seemed TO ad
nit by inference least that ii would be well for US to
stop here if could but says he s there any one weak
enough to suppose that possible " Do they not now
speak of taking possession OF Sonora, OF Iamaulpas,
and of other of the States OF northern Mexico Sir,
am not to be deferred by the form of this question OF
the distinguished senator from giving it AS
to this lust of dominion of which he speaks whether 1t
may stop where i Is, Or whether manifest destiny or
something else shall give it fresh start, neither the sem
aor nor can tell God only knows, and to al least
the future alone will determine But one thing is Ger
tanthere is less hazard from such contingency than
there is if we permit this lust OF dominion to continue Its
course, unchecked and uncontrolled now. But says the
senator, the country obtained is not worth dollar. BE
so, for the sake OF the argument He knows. and
know, that It's possession will involve the country IN
vast expenditures Tor It's territorial government Tor Its
protection from the ncursons of Indians, and for the cs
tabishmen of distant military posts Is not this likely at
least to safe the appetite for dominion But no, the
well might you suppose that rapacious am
NAL that has made unsuccessful oray will not strive for
better" Sir, always mstrust argument that comes
simply in the form of metaphor, and struck with
the fact that, whenever and wherever have made this
suggestion the senator, contrary to his won't has always
offered lest come hereafter the answer has been
Mott is of no use; the appetite grows by what II
but increased by every new application Of power; )"
it is of no USE 6 an animal which has made one I'M
successful foray will strive for bet.er-all meta
phor, metaphor And the senator's argument carried
out in metaphor amounts to this: a rapacious animal
reused 10 Madness red with BLOOD is not TO be quoted
for time lest may gather its strength for another
Hoiu " hothlS vi TIC hlIu thio iuo' vi
dominion may return aganof that the future only can
tell but is it not something not much, that for the
present we stop it here and now
But it is said that this treaty may not be ratified
believe it will be. But suppose that it is not we
off Do stand rather better in the eyes of
humanity, in the eyes of the world' We manifest some
readiness for peace; leave Mexico her nationality
offer to pay her full value, at least for everything we
take from her. But what TO than this if we
line which will subject TO fewer evils than any
which is likely to be forced upon by adversares
hereafter.
These are the views, in brief, which have controlled
my conduct upon this question have confidence
abiding hope, at leas-that have the end OF
this wretched war trust that the flag of my country
will never again be red with Mexican blood. The gal
any of troops has carried it through smoke and fire
from the coast to the captaom the waters OF the gulf
May its every fold fall peacefully around the flag staff
may not breath of human passion again open
Mexican battle field know not how recent events
in the European world may have affected the minds of
other men, but for myself feel that this strange juno
ture in the worlds progress America the great moving
and example, should be at rest In peace there is
at this moment to peculiar, moral fitness If ore
half that hear be true, intense interest must
attach itself to and TO institutions. We soon
to become the cynosure OF all eyeshe observed OF
all observers" among nations. Consider well, pray
you, the spectacle that we present. the great
model republic, preylng upon, grinding to powder a
weak, helpless, an almost only sister republic But
sir, it is not only fit in moral point of view that
should be at peace, but prudential considerations counsel
portenous OF change her air is thick and murky; the
clouds are urid nations, like men, literally holding
their breath momentary expectancy OF the burst which
may follow. tell you, sir that you have not vet seen