The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-26

who have all times considered themselves bound by
the terms OF the constitution this subject. and have
$1,000 ready 10 support the guarantees contained IN tha
instrument But 1t the same time must confess that
thought the honorable senator from Illinois, N the re-
marks which he made here. uttered great deal OF whole
some truth thought he administered some WISE ana
prudent and salutary admonlton IN those remarks wo
thy OF the consideration OF all parties mere ana nope
they will have their effect hope little refectlona
little consderation-w induce gentlemen to change the
they have adopted on this SUBJECT and to permit
this measure to take the usual course OF sup
nose we do come 10 discussion the question: where,
| let me ask gentlemen, is the harm OF discussion Why,
gentlemen ask, what right have you TO discuss our
YOU claim the privilege OF inquiring into this mat
Ter! Sir, may have no right to disturb this right
of property we may have no right to affect the title
il in any ways no such rights may be claimed Never
theless, will deny any citizen the right dis
the character of property OF this kind and the effect
which laws have upon such property Who denies this
discussion to the freedom Of speculation which exists
in every free and untrammelled mind Men may ad-
very absurd notions they may reason very pre-
but while the whole matter lies in discussion very little,
in my Judgment, gained by ermng that discussion in
cendary its character Why, do you expect satisfy
the public mnd. when mankind discusses the question Of
slavery however important it may be any portion of
this country, and express their opinions in regard it
do You expect to put them under foot BY saying it is in
cendary! II any gentleman atters himself with hopes
and expectations of this description he is doomed be
disappointed This discussion will go on, and the way
to meet is by confronting with truth Let the dis
cusson go on let il be free everywhere My opn-
is, that all considerable minds here. and everywhere
entirely disposed adhere to the guarantees and
promises Of the constitution; and instead OF being weak
ened by discussion, they al every step strengthened
they at every step become rmer and stronger bonds of
UNION Let try, if he to suppress discussion
Every attempt stop will result, in Europe,
general sentiment which will ample under foot power
that attempts suppress it, This will be the effect OF such
attempts. invite, then, my friends TO meet this question
boldly fearessy and not let this subject the public
in the form in which 1t now presents itsef-as bill pre-
scented here-reating to nothing but the protection of
urOD of n M andd I'D ad
sion to this hall and that table, because supposed to have
some indirect connection with the question OF slavery
Let take, sir manly view Of the subject-one
that accords better with the character of high minded
men, Let it take its course here. Let it go to commit
tee Let that committee examine IT; and II It does not
from any cause meet your appreciation when
be considered, then let other measures take its pacele
it take its fate But nothing sir. is to be gained by this
unusual course. assure the gentlemen who represent
this slave interest," that, instead OF gaining they lose
Why. Mr. President cannot every gentleman see, and
see plainly that when this bill comes to be published
when the terms in which it is conceived come to be read
and understood it will be that is differ
ing in essential material point from laws existing in
many of the free States and free countries everywhere
and as senator says, in some OF the slave
Statesmaking corporations, under certain circnmstan
ces, liable for the violence Of mobs! And whoever
takes the ground that this bill has been brought in
at unpropitious moment, and for that reason de-
MES 1t admission, assumes responsibility that he
will sincerely wish byand- by to get rid of. What have
to do with the present movement, srwith the par
tcular and peculiar circumstances which surround the
question! In my Judgment, nothing at all. do not
dertake to say what the motives were Of the senator
from New Hampshire in introducing this bill; it does
not become to inquire into them. 1t is enough for
to know that if the printing office of the Union or Ma
tona lntcllgencer assaed and injured by mob.
it would be my duty TO inquire how it happened and
whether further provisions were required, in addition to
laws Of the snS il order such
myself bound, under such circumstances to exercise with
regard to the property OF others should exercise in this
case The same measure of justice should mete out in
other cases, would mete out in this The protection
which would feel it my duty to give to the property of
others, under all circumstances, would give in this
And it turns out that this is unworhily bestowed
that does not demand iegisatonthen let take its
destiny. But this is not the way to deal with it. It does
have always been Of the opinion that nothing has been
gained by the opposition 10 the introduction OF petitions
here believe il the subject had been left open, and
jec gentlemen would have found less excitement exist
ing than has been created by the opposite course 1t
would have tended much more strongly, in my Judgment
all the circumstances. then, how are we to ACT think
the question is very plain one Things are brought in
and made to bear strongly on the minds OF gentlemen.
for the reception OF the BILL in order that may take the
usual course OF legislation.
Mr. BUTLER. From the course which this discussion
has taken, is clearly indicated the approaching
which will long burst upon this country am per.
suaded that the part of the country which represe
destined to be in minorty-a doomed minority. feel
satisfied that all that have to look to for protection
the guarantees Of the constitution. and the compromises
made under it and feel well assured do OF any
sentiment uttered that these guarantees will be
vioated-as well assured as that the compromises
which have been made have been disregarded. feel
that the sentiment of the North against the institution of
slavery is advancing with the certainty of the malaria
from the Pontne marshes-with the certainty of all pre-.
gressive movements-and there is no Disgusting it.,
Why on all occasionswhether OF domestic or foreign
coneideration-the slave question is obruded upon
When resolution offered in this body, in the of
the nation, to congratulate the French people upon the
of their efforts in favor OF the establishment
of republican principles, amendment was offered to
graduate them upon the conscaon of some OF the proper
" belonging the peopeto especially congratulate them
on the emancipation of their West India slaves Let it
be proposed to acquire territory by the Joint armsthe
united exertions of the people of the whole Unonand
of the South forced to submit to the insult OF hav
ing proposed that the soil purchased and enriched BY
the blood of southern troops would be polluted by their
occupation of it, after treaty OF peace, when brought
into comparison with those who claim superiority
them by virtue OF their Institutions Sir, thus in
petitions Of individuals and resolutions OF Sates stigma
Using southern institutions unworthily connected with
this confederacy-gOng TO show that the guarantees OF
the constitution will be, the compromises have been,
dsregared But before approach this part OF the sub.
iect, beg to address to you few remarks upon the bill
which is offered for consideration. What is the bill,
sir! tproposes require from the inhabitants OF this Dis
tric to enter into bonds-for amounts to thatto ndem
nifty all persons who shall suffer losses by of mob;
to indemnify all persons for any possible that may
be committed upon them by irresponsible violence New
be permitted to say that this sort OF that
is not to be found in that part of the country in which
live think is unknown in the States south OF the
Potomac. Why should be called on to pass law at
hvyu