Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-05-04

renee could have taken place without extensive coun
tenlnce and aid from men of standing in this District
whether members of Congress or others?
Mr. HALE.-I have doubt that those persons
could not have got away without some aid. 1t Is
enough that have disclaimed all knowledge oil It.
thought that when the Hon. Senator was speaking
more than twenty millions OF people were listening
He invites me to visit the State OF Mississippi and
kindly informs me that he would be one OF those who
would act the assassin and put an end to my career
He would aid in bringing inc to public executon-no
death By mob. Well nretum for his hospItabe IN
vtution, can only express the desire that he would
penetrate into some Of the dark corners Of New lamp
shire, and if he do so, am much mstakenlf he would
not find that the people in that benighed region would
be very happy to listen to his arguments, and en-
gage in any intellectual conflict with him. N which the
truth might be elected, think, however, that the
announcement which the honorable Senator has made
on this floor, Of the fate which awaits humble an
individual as myself in the State of Mississippi must
convince every one of the proprety Of the high eqlo-
GUM which he pronounced upon her the other day'
when he spoke of the high position which she occu-
pied among the States of this confcderacy But enough
Of this personal matter.
| think, if did not misunderstood the honorable
Senator from South Carolina, that he is surprised at
the temcr.ty of the Senator from New Hampshire in
intro lucing this bill. Let me ask what is this bill !?
What is this ncendiary bill chat has ELECTED such
torrent of nvective Has it been manufactured by
most verbatim from law on the statute book, which
has been in operation for years. in the neighboing
State Of MARYLAND Ii HIS no allusion, directly or in
directly, to the subject Of Slavery Yet am accus-
ed Of throwing it rebrand, and in order to make
war upon the institutions Of the South How In
Gods name is it come to this, that the American Sen
ate, and in the year of gracGo thousand eight hun
dred and ortyeght, the rights Of property cannot be
named but the advocates Of slavery In arms, and
excl0m lhat war is made upon their institutions, be-
cause ii is attempted to cast the protection OF the law
over the property Of an American citizen who appeals
to an American Senate.
Il has long been held by you that your peculiar in
stution is compatible with the right Of speech but
sf it be also incompatible with the safeguards Of the
con3tation being thrown around the property of the
AneriCan citizens, let the country know 1t. Ii that
isobe the principle of your action let it be proclaim
ed throughout the length and breadth of the land that
there's an institution so omnipoent-so almighty
thlEeveh the sacred rights Of life aud property must
bow down before it
Do not let it be said that have introduced this sub-
ect have simply asked that the plainest provisions
Of common aw-the clearest dictates Of conscience
shall be extended and exercised for the protection OF
the property Of citizens of this District and yet the
honorable Senator from South Carolina IS shocked at
my temeny.
Mr. BurLER,-Aliow me to ask one question with
perfect good temper. The Senator is discussing the
subject with some feeling but ask him whether he
would vote for BILL properly drawn, nilictng pun
i3hment on persons inyeigng Slaves from the Dstrlc
Of Columbia.
Mr. HA1E.-Certainly not, and why? Because
do not believe that Slavery should exist here.
Mr. CALuoUN-[ In his seat HE wishes to arm
the robbers, and disarm the people Of the District
Mr. HALE The Hon. Senator is alarmed at my
tanerity.
MI tALHouv-rInh his seat i did not use the
term but did not think it worth while to correct TN
Senator.
MIR. HA1E.-The Senator did not use the term?
Mr.. CALHoUN-NO.I said 1t was brazen IN the sen
atar or something like that.
Mr.. HALr.-The meaning was the same. 1t wa!
strange then that should introduce bill for the pro
lection of property in this Dishct.-a bill perfect,
harmless but which he has construed into an attacl
on the South ! ask the Senator and the countr,
wherein consists the temerity suppose IN the sector
of the country from which 1t comes lie says we seen
to hink that the South has lost all feeling? An. there
~ thn tcnerity. The bill comes from the wrong Su'
Oh +" eaitl.H H',~~larg WhY, did Ll9 Hon senate
from Carolina imagine that we OF the VJrth, with on
faces bowed down to the earth. and backs to th
sun, hai received the lash long that dared no
LOOK up Did he suppose that d5sed nos ask tn
protection of the law to be thrown around property il
the District to which came to legislator
! desire no upon the institution Of slavery, il
the sense in which the Senator understands the term
will never be party to any oRcroachmens upor
rights guaranteed by The Constitution and the law
not at all. wish to war, but q war Of reason--o
persuason-of argument; war that should look t.
convincing the understanding, subduing the affections
and moving the 5ynpahjes of the heart, That is ht
only war in which would engage But it is said tina
the time has cometha the crisis has come, and tina
the South must meet it In all candor and honesty
hen let me say, that there could not be better plat
form which to meet the question, than that present
ed in the principle Of this bill. There could notbe
~tan -
Let the tocsin sound. Let the free North be tolt
that her craven Representatives on the floor of tn
Senate are not a. liberty to proclaim the proec
ton Of the rights of property
The right Of speech sacrificed long ago, Blu
now it IS to be proclaimed that cannot even intro
duce bill looking to the execution of the PLANES
provisions of the Constitution, and the ceares prn
ciples of justice for the protection of personal rights
because gentlemen choose to consuo it into an attac
upon that particular institution?
ask again, what is it that has produced this steT
called up these denunciations excited all this inyec
tive which has been poured out upon me, as if hat
been guilty of all the crimes in the decalogue? cal
upon the Senate and the country to take notice Of ii
ask on what do gentlemen of the South rely for thu
protection Of any institutions on which they place an
value? II will be answered, upon the Constitution
and the law. Well, then, if the safeguards Of tht
Constitution are rendered nadquate to the protection
of one species Of property, how can It be supposed
that there VIII be protection Tor any! Is because
desire to maintain in all their strength and ability
the safeguards of the constitution, that have intro
duced this bill for the protection Of property in th
District. And here let me tell the Senator from Ala
balna, that he will have my full cooperation in an
measure to prevent kidnapping. shall expect hia
to redeem his pledge Again; am shocked to hea
the honorable Senator from South Carolina denounc
this bill ameasure calculated to repress those citl
zens from the expression Of their just Indignation.
Mr.. CALHoUN.-If the Senator will allow mel vii
explain. said no such thing. But | will take tn
occasion to say, that would just as soon argue wit
a maniac from bedam, as with the Senator from Ne,
Hampshire on this subject.
Several SENATORs.-Order, order.
Mr.. CALHouN-I do not intend to correct his state
merits, 4 mn who says that the people of this Di:
trct hove no ght in their slayes-ond that it is n
robbery to take their property from them-is not er
Ntteaio hpTegar1a'l aaias secession of bis reason
tceeE
Cassias lRgs Letter,