The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-08-22

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words of the amendment :-'inasmuch as the
f said Territory is North of the parallel of Sc
deg and so min, of North latitude, usually
known as the Missouri Compromise Iunder-
) stand, sir, that when man does an act, and
undertakes to give reasons for that act, and
gives but one, without suggesting that there
!. are others, the world is fairly entitled to draw
the inference that he has no other reason.
For my part, sir, ! should think that with this
Proviso in the section, the implication would
be irresistible, thatif the Territory were South
of the parallel of SO deg. 80 min, the PROPOSE
ton of the Ordinance of 1857 would not be
applied ;,
traps by way of preamble or recital; and as
do not intend TO discuss this question at large,
| content myself with saying, in few words,
that my opposition to the further extension OF
slave representation in Congress, is general
and universal. 1t has no reference to the lin
its of latitude or points of the compass. l
shall oppose all such extension and all such in
crease, in all places at all times, under all cir
cumstances, even against all inducements, a.
gainst all supposed limitation of great interests,
against all combinations, against all comprom-
Use. / his is short, but hope clear and COM
prehensive. 1t is merely to announce my pur-
pose, and / have no more to say against this
bill. If it be the pleasure Of the Senate to
take it as it came from the House of Repre-
sentatives, it shall have my support. If amend
ed. shall vote against it. So much for the
Oregon Territory.
with respect to California and New Mexi-
co, no subject regarding them is before the
! Senate, and therefore | have only one remark
to make, and that is, that the controversy
which has arisen in the councils of the country
respecting the government of these Terrific
ries, is just exactly that controversy which
supposed it very easy to foresee from the We
ry beginning easier to foresee from the be-
ginning, fear, than it is now to foresee
peaceable and satisfactory termination of it.
! That subject is not now before us. / will
! therefore say no more upon it, but that l am
happy in the reflection that, for one, had
nothing to do with the commencement of the
late war with Mexico, but to oppose it with all
my might; and that had nothing to do with
the treaty which terminated that war; but to
oppose it with all my might. l regarded the
war as a calamity regarded the treaty as a
calamity-and | fear it is likely to prove, by
the annexations and acquisitions which it has
brought to us, greater because more prom
inent calamity than the war itself"
Mr. Butler, Of South Carolina, followed in a
speech on the adverse side of the question
He spoke in a most vehement tone of Gecla-
nation and defiance against the degradation
of submission to which the North is attempting
TO reduce the South. He was opposed to this
bill, because, if we admit the principle it con-
tains, the South is lost. He repeated this dec
laration emphatically several times That if
law is passed excluding slavery from Terri
tories adapted to slave labor, he would before
God, advise his constituents, TO go out with
their slaves and occupy the country-and 60
out with arms in their hands, prepared to main
tain their rights to the last extremity.
Mr.. Douglass thought it would be well TO
wait to see what shape the bill will assume be-
fore opposing it so bitterly.
MIR. Hale followed in a speech for the Pro-
viso, just as strong as that of Mr. Butler a
gainst it. He argued that the South, in the
annexation Of Texas, had agreed that Oregon
should come in free row they cry no, and de- !
mand the right TO violate their pledges. South |
Carolina might be very determined in her 20 |
sition, but she would find this time that The |
North was in earnest, and that her position |
was also taken. If the South was so mmode- |
rate as to 90 TO war in defiance of law, the |
North would have the moderation, the will land |
the power 10 meet the case.
Mr.. Calhoun was opposed to the bill and the |
amendment, but from very different reasons
from those of Mr.. Webster. The amendment
was ambiguous, and he wished to be explicit
in his action upon the subject. He then pro- |
cecded to general examination of the merits |
of this controversy, maintaining his well-known
grounds. This question will not heal itself !
we shall have to settle it, and the sooner the |
better. The consequences will be fatal, unless /
the evil is arrested. He gave a history Of the |
origin Of this excitement The ignorance of
the fanatics of the North started it, Jacksons |
proclamation of 1885, by strengthening the |
idea Of the supremacy of the Federal Govern |
ment, gave strength TO this cause Of abolition. |
The question OF abolition petite rs had further
aggravated it. The ambition of disappoint-
ed man in the North, who owes every thing to
the South, had concentrated all the elements
of opposition against US. But can this thing
go on? No, sir. We must settle it, or it must
lead to dissolution or the overthrow of our in
stitutions-one or both, and more likely both
than one. He dwelt upon the signs of the
times, tending to this awful result. The South
would yield-the North would not Weld.
Where is TO be the compromise? The only
plan was the Senate bill. lately rejected by
the House; but that bill had not been offered
as an amendment to this; 1t was because there
was no prospect of its passage He deeply re-
GREETED this aspect of things. He defended the
institution of slavery and the rights of the
South and depicted the universal distress that
would follow emancipation in the South. He
would not vote for any compromise upon this
question; but would acquiesce, if the comprom-
Ise should be assented to by Senators from the
North, in reference to all the Territories
Mr.. Mangum was opposed to the amend
ment, and the bill. He did not believe IN the
power OF Congress over slavery in the Terri
tories.
Mr.. Niles followed in vigorous vindication
of the Proviso, and against all extension OF
slavery. Free soil and free labor were his
principles on this question.
The debate was continued by Messrs.
Metcalf, johnson, of Maryland, Berrien, Foote,
SC.
At 4 o'clock, the Senate took recess.
The Senate re-assembled at halfpast five,
when, on motion, 2O00 copies of the joint re-
port of the Commissioners of the Northeastern
Boundary were ordered to be printed