Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-09-14

have a tcndence 10 annex Southern terhtofy W
the States Of this union. =
| Gentlemen, since have had the honor OF
receiving the invitation to meet my fellow CHI.
zens hereafter receiving this invita'ioh,
should say--I found il necessary IN The DIS
charge OF my duty, though with great neon
venience TO my health, 10 go to Wash'ng,on'
and To be present at The closing scenes oi me
session You know what there trahsplreu'
|, You know the Important decision maj was
inade in both houses of Congress, IN regard to,
Oregon. The immediate question was the,
passage of the bill establishing the territory
Y of Oregon, and AS il at first passed the Senate,
il established the new territories as slaveholding
I'telrltorier. The House disagreed The Senate
/ receded from It's amendment, ,and The bill passed,
/ establishing Oregon as free territory and max
I ng no provision for the newly acquired terrific
! rice on the South.
4 Gentlemen, nv vote and the reasons gave
Il for il are probably known To the good people
| Of Massachusetts. aud have not heard that
| they have yet expressed any particular dis
| appreciation oft,
H But this question is to be resumed at the
/ first session of the next Congress- think not
| in this Congress-I think at least there is no
| probability that it will be settled at the next
\ session of this Congress but the first session
| of the next Congress, this question VIII be
! resumed 1t will enter at this very period IN
/ to oil the elections OF the South.
\ And now | venture to say, gentlemen, two
| things the first well known 10 you,-that
!. General Cass is in favor Of what is called the
| ICompromise line and that the w Wilmot Proviso,
! or the Ordinance of 1857, which excludes
! slavery from territories, ough, not to be applied
to territories living south of SO degrees 80
| minutes. He announced this before he was
/ nominated, and if he had not announced 1t, he
| would have been thirly-slX degrees thirty MN
utcs further of from being nominated. In the
next place, he will do all he can 10 establish
|, that compromise line and lastly, which is a
matter of opinion in my CONSCIENTIOUS belei'
; he will establish 1t.
I Give him the power and the patronage OF
the government let him exercise IL over GER
7 tain portions Of the country whose representa-
tyes voted ON this occasion to leave that qucs-
ton for future consideration, to settle IL lha'
Orcnon shall be free. and leave New Mexico
/ and California to he decided hereafter let nm
have the power of this government WIN ms
> attachments, with his inducements verify
believe unless there is a renewed strength, an
augmented strength Of Wing votes in Congress,
! he will accomplish his purpose. lie VIII sure
| the government. with every interest which h'
4 can bring to bear, cooperating with every IN
tcrcst which the South can bring to bear, h'
t. will accomplish the compromise line. We cry
, safety before we are oui Of the woods II ~
/, feel that there is 40 danger about these new
= territories.
I'll Gentlemen / came here to confer with you al
friends and coun,rymcn. to speak ms own MN,
S hu; if We all should speak, and occupy as nuc'
u. time as | have, we should make late meeting
! shall dciain you no longer.
have been long in public liie-far longeT-
| FAR longer than | shall remain IN 1t. nave
lhad some participation for more than 'hrt.
. wears in the councils of the country proies
to feel strong attachment to the Liberties "
q the United Staies-to the constitution ana Ire
: institutions of the United Staies-o the honor
t and NAV say the glory OF this great Govern
: ment and great Country.
cH feel every injury inflicted upon this coun
= trv, almost as personal INJURY. Diush 10
r every fault which think | see committed IN 1t
II public councils, as if they were faults or lnis
| takes of my own.
,ell know that at this moment, there is no OF
% cct upon earth So attracting the gaze oi III
d Intelligent and civilized nations Of the earth a
J. I!this great Republic All men look at us, a
e men examine our course, all good men al
r. anxious for a favorable result 10 this great e'
t. pertinent of Republican liberty.
= We are as a city set on a hill and cannot |
n hid. We cannot withdraw ourselves eilh
e from the commentator or the reproaches
ID the civilized world. They see us as that ST
ID of empire which half a century ago was pr
in dic.ed as making its way westward, WE
ID they nav see it as a mild, placid, though br
.e liant orb, making lis way alhwart the who
I'd Heavens TO the cnlightcping and cheering
n. mankind and not meteor Of fire and hioo
jT terrifying the nations.