The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-14

have established something like temporary government,
for the preservation of peace and order until the
ton OF Congress shall nepose BY these regulations,
slavery is prohibited and this BILL stands gives the
sanction OF Congress to that prohibition The propose
ton is to strike out this provision which virtually
gives effect to the action of the people OF Oregon Hon
orable senators have emphaticaly claimed the right to
disregard thus prohibition and plant the institution OF
slavery in the territory in despite OF the action OF Con
gress and the wishes of that people But they nave ato
gether while pressing their claims, omitted 10 enuneale
the blessings that 10 flow from such procedure
The moral, political, and social blessings that are TO
spring from this institution in Oregon have not been de-
scrbed We have not heard syllable with respect TO
the aid that the people of Oregon are to derive rom this
institution in their career OF civilization The high and
important influences which slavery to exercise upon
their prosperity and happiness have not been touched
upon This omission is certainly remarkable II we are
called upon force this institution upon the people OF the
territories, let know at least some OF the DEMENT'S that
are to grow out of it,
Sir, there are many reasons why slavery should not
institution The soil, the climate, the character OF the
resources OF the country and may add that Of the popu
laon likely 10 occupy it, all forbid its introduction In
benefited by extending this institution there But the
question is whether we shall force this institution upon
them Whatever effect you give, to their laws they
may be regarded expressing their sentiments and
wishes Are you prepared, them to impose upon the
people who just laying the foundations OF their social
fabric an institution which they have thus soemnly
pudiated? The honorable senator from Georgia says
that all the people of the South desire is to be let alone
All ask behalf OF the people of Oregon is, that they
SNOulu De lel Tree 10 CnOOSe lltiI OWL
would not obirude upon them an institution which is Of
| tensve to them.
| 1t is not my purpose to go into discussion of the
merits or dement's of the institution of slavery. trust
indulge fanaticisn on the subject have desire
to display before the Senate its supposed horrors to
entertain honorable senator's with the thousand and one
stories OF its atrocites-al doubtless exaggerated, and
many utterly alsewhich constitute the almeDt upon
which anacsm feeds. Much less am disposed to i'm
pue it reproach to the people OF the South that this
institution exists 1t is Institution inherited from their
fathers enailed upon them and whether they choose to
retain abandon 1t, whether can be got nd OF at ALL
and if So how are questions which willing to leave
TO the people of the South themselves the persons
most interested and best qualified to Judge The vndca
ton of the people of the South by the honorable senator
from Georgia, against the charges alluded to by him
SO far concerned, unnecessary i am willing to
add my testimony that my observation, so lar as IT has
gone though has not been very extensive, sustans all
that he said on that point have found the condition OF
the slaves infinitely better than what had supposed it
| TO be-
But, sir, choose to deal with this subject not as a
matter of repoach to the people OF the South not as
question of morals, but political question OF trans
cenden importance, be determined by legislation
In that point of view regard it, and in that aspect feel
ut liberty discuss it, Sir, confident that speak
the sentiments of three ourths of the people of this
try, and Of very great proportion of the people OF the
savehoding States, when say that the institution itself
is an evil and curse. When say that it evil of
which they would get rid in moment if they could do
it with safety believe speak the general sentiment OF
day be found willing to defend this institution in
its origin and inception, just expedient Who is there
at this day, if the institution were not IN existence amongst
who would raise his in favor OF the ntroduc-
ton of the first colored slave Who indeed, would not
protest against it, not only outrage upon humanity
and incompatible with the fundamental principles OF
institutions but introducing political evil to
dure to all generations increasing in magnitude and In
danger the consequences and the termination OF which no
human sagacy can toresee' And yet with this sentiment
in relation to the institution pervadlng people,
called upon extend it. The honorable senator from
Georgia to be alarmed at the idea of the institution
being pent up in some of the old States Why should it
be Where the of lntiCtng the
institution, if gentlemen will pardon the phrase on Terri
tories where it does not now exist! can conceive OF
but consideration which should excite anxiety in this
particular and that is the accumulation of the slave pop
uaton and the necessity of safety valve to the increase
of that population. If the institution is limited, it is not
necessary that the population should be pent up Ad-
hitting the force of this consideration, the question re-
suits in this, whether that increase if it should be thrown
should be hrow yh oft the sd rest t Of the word
acter of treemen to aid in the extension OF civilization
over immense territorial domain, shall they be
slaves extending and perpetuatng institution
acknowledged all hands to be evil? Will you let
these men, created in the likeness of their Maker go
forth Free possessed of all the rights and advantages
which the God of nature has bestowed upon all, or
will you send them forth the representatives of this
relic of babarous age and the living monuments of the
insincery OF your protessons' Sir, l am opposed to
this extension of institution which hold to be utter
| ly with the opinions and moral sentiment OF the
age The of the Christian world, and, may add
of the civilized world, is universally against it. Shall
set the example OF perpetuatng and extending an IN
stution which the whole civilized world, with the
cepon of portion OF people, have combined to
eXteTmnate?
Sir desire to preserve something like consistency in
our action 1t but few weeks SINCE in this chamber
we passed resolutions OF sympathy with the people OF
France, congrauatng them upon the events that have
transpred there. We have the throne demol-
ished We have arlstocratc and hereditary dis
tinctons, sanctioned by time, and venerable for age,
abrogated. We have the masses rising in their
might, and, amid the throes of revolution, prosratng
their arbitrary they deemed them tyrannica, and OPP
pressive institutions, and proclaming the doctrines of
have the shackles stricken from the African and
of the first fruits of the revolution the whole system
of African slavery exterminated at blow, fully, abso-
lutey, and forever in all the dominion of the
public And raised aloud the voice of appreciation
and of sympathy. Yet while the resolutions yet
floating to their destinations If in mockery of pro-
LESSONS, congratulations, and sympathy are
over the immense region subject to our dominion,
and preparing the way for its further extension u
ure acquisitions While congratuating the world
upon the progress OF the great principles of human ber
y, and the overthrow of ancient despotsms, shall be
called upon to propagate system OF slavery which
duces fellow-man to the condition of brute; which
converts being, created originally in the likeness of his
the stall Let us be consistent Let us prove the sin
cerity OF our professions by actions.
Sir have had occasion heretofore express my alarm
at the spirit OF conquest and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT which has
infatuated and debauched the country Happily for the
present at least that spirit has been quellcd How long
It may slumber how soon it may awake to covet &C
cushions how soon may seek grasp Canada the
West Indies, or the remainder of Mexico time and the
dispensations OF Providence will disclose But nothing
certainly, further from my expectations than to FIND
the Senate of the United States promulgating the doctrine
that OF conquest while protesting to extend