The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-15

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the senator from South Carolina has his peculiar views
butt will do him the justice to say that upon this
and 10 yield as far he consistently could Such in
deed, the spirit manifested by all the members Of the
committee They brought forward the best project which,
on the whole they could present The has ask
ed if approve the bill | do, with my whole heart
For one, could go much further. The bill does not
meet all my views, by any means but The constitution
Itself was made up OF compromises on tins subject and
all our action with regard TO il must be in the same spirit
At the close of the debate the morning OF the Goth
July, ls4s-
mttee who reported the bill under consideration, Mr.
President have listened in silence, through contnu-
session OF twenty one hours TO the recital OF new
and the repetition of old of which
were both calculated and intended TO consume time and
prevent the action of the Senate upon the BILL and now
at dav- dawn exhausted am deem due 10 the oc-
cason TO review briefly the history of this matter and TO
few words chiefly in vindication OF the course of
the committee, who have been wantonly and ungene-
rously assailed But know how severely the patience
and endurance of the Senate have been tried and if
there single friend of the bill who objects my pro-
ceeding will cheeriay forego my intention, that the
from all parts of the cbamberl
The duty of preparing bill upon this subject was de-
voved upon the committee by an order of the Senate and
the members selected to discharge the high duty were
chosen by vote nearly unanimous. None sought
could have desired duty delicate and responsible
No one who loves his country, or has the manhood to
act up to the emergency, at liberty to decline it, To
myself, If would have avoided responsibility, the
task peculiarly thankless and Iksome for it is well
known that in the State which have the honor in part
to represent, besides the usual feeling against the
tuition of slavery 10 the citizens of all free States
besides the fevered condition of the public mind slim
ulated by every artificial means which can be invented
and the Utopian idea of honest fanatcism that this and
all the other ills of life be cured by legislation, there
political organization founded IN and having for Its
object the agitation of this dangerous and disturbing ee
ment, which lives, and and has Its vagran being
in creating and fostering sectional jealousy, irritation
and strife Every individual who refuses to Join in or
| down s
out for reprobaon and the sl9ces OF unmtgated cal
jimmy and detractloh are opened gpon ms head Every
far power has been vouchsaed TO faction doomed
speedy and fearful destruction. and this attempt to quiet
forever the excitement from which derives It's aent,
has opened aresh the fountains of its bitterness and
made it more fierce and revengefu than bear bereaved
| of her whelps
But called upon TO act in matter so pregnant with
veal or wo, have endeavored to discharge the duty,
regardless of personal considerations and thank Hea-
ven that it has fallen to my lot to play humble part in
this mission of peace. Ii has met the resistance which
any other bill calculated TO settle the question upon terms
Just and honorable 10 all sections OF the Union would
traffic in the harmony and integrity of the Union through
the presidential campaign. have carefully watched the
developments of this yearlng benevolence from its law
less conception to its present threatening magnitude
know well the insaaie appetite 10 feed and the re-
venge is designed to glut have opposed the desoa-
ting progress OF its fell and feocous spirit this fair
victim of its vengeance. But, sir. al defiance
have discharged my duty eaessy, and let do lis
worst "hIy head is uncovered and my bosom is bare"
But shall not act merely upon the defensive. shall
tear the veil from the face of Mokanna and exhibit to
the gaze of nsuled and indignant people the corrup,
ascending appeal dnk o
sober-from the demagogues who direct and name the
agitation to the intelligent masses of the people shall
aalgn for trial both the masters and the workmen-as
well those who set it on foot elsewhere, those who
speak for here; shall be restrained diverted
or permit others to be deceived by the parrot cry OF free
soil" SO often and so fippanily repeated
with a feeling akin reverence. the senti-
ment entertained by the great of those represent
upon the subject OF domestic slavery know how deeply
lis existence is depored by the true phanthropis and
how earnestly has benevoence endeavored to devise
means to mitigate the evil Nor shall call in question
those who differ with Inc upon the propety or advantage
OF federal legislation upon the subject | entertain the
same respect Tor their opinions that claim for my
But from whence comes suddenly this fervid cry Of
benevoence, philanthropy, and "ee soil ?" Is it from
those who have been distinguished by their deeds OF
charity those who have watched BY the bed of sick
ness who have consoed afflicted humanity fed the hun
most in the ranks, and loudes the clamor. the mil
lewed and seedy poitician-tbe heartess demagogue-
the pfofigae libertine and the shameless hypocrite
moulhlng their professions of superior sancty, and
giving lessons in philanthropy and morals to honest
men. And for what purpose, and to what end,
our ears st stunned BY the ,oucry Of this aedged
element IN our institutions, which required all the Wis
dom and forbearance of the great and pure spirits of
the revolution to reconcile which has once since sha
ken the Union from centre to circumference, and now
dlsturbs IFS harmony and threatens its integrity, may
be used as partisan stock in trade through the pre-
sidential campaign that the repose of the political
cemetery may be broken and the purescent remains OF
deceased officials be exhumed, and restored to life and
hope, and honors and emolumens by the resurrectng
process of this political gavansm.
This great family of States of dissi miar local insu-
ons and diversified interests agreed to associate upon
terms OF mutual concession for the general good. The
question then was and still is, whether should have
Union with slavery, or slavery without Union! The
faith in which they entered the confederacy should be
preserved letter and spirit In domestic controversies
yhe Of
eness of all human struggles matters little whether
party the other, BOTH in the wrong they
characterized by the undyng hate, the fierce
passion and the destruction OF all that happiness
and peace and he who contributes to stir and provoke
the of irritation however carefully he may dis
guse it, will be held in the sight of God enemy OF his
But what is the bill to which many objections, in
consistent with themselves and with each other have
assertions of those who oppose ii would suppose both
abolished slavery wherever It existed and extended IT
throughout Cbristendom Those who oppose il from
the North declare that it provides for the extension of
slavery throughout the territories through all time
Those who resist 1t from the South insist with equal
confidence. that IT excludes il forever while those who
read it correctly, and understand its provisions, will see
that does neither the the other but leaves that
question, under the constitution the judicial tribunals
of the country from which and ought not to be
taken, and by which it must finally be decided let the
legislation of Congress be what it may Congress can
not if would, take the decision from the judicial trbu
nails of the country and should not, if it could If the
constitution gives the right of the master to hold his
slave there long it Territory as is insist
of Congress could prevent it and we have left it in
the most favorable shane 10 be fairly tested