The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-05
House OF Representatives.

WAsHINoroN, June s.
THE SLAVERY QUESTION
The House resolved itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state OF the Union Mr.. Rockwell of Con-
necticut, in the chair.
val appropriation before the committed, but
the subject under discussion that Of slavery and
the power of the government in relation thereto
in the territories He had always thought that south
ernmen contended for the neutrality Of the general
called, was under consideration these gentlemen
said that the legislative functions should not be
csed to protect slavery in the territories now, those
in the Northern States who advocate the provso.
tend for the right of Congress to exclude slavery The
power is admitted by tie gentleman from South Caro-
lima (Mr Rhett) the power Of its exercise is affirmed
but for different purpose There very few gentle
either in the North the South who contend that
this power should exercised His purpose in taking
raj government with regard to slavery in the terrific
res. We should give them machinery and let them
work 1t themselves Admitting the power. it Is not
wise to exert any legislative functions in relation it
Congress cannot take any action whatever incpient
His position this that the question Of slavery is
not original one, and the rights of the negroes.
whether slave free in the States the territories
ought be left to the good console patriot
ism. of those in whose midst they reside Inasmuch
the blacks cannot be admitted to social and political
equality and as all States have equal rights nder the
compromises of the constitution good policy epoins
neutrality on the part of the general government The
North well the South should be content with the
Missouri compromise, whatever may have been thought
of heretofore. This peace will produce the
same consequences as the doctrine of neutrality MIR d
spoke Of the catchwords rife in the North There
he said, the liberty party, as if all other parties
opposed to freedom There was the native American
party, if other parties not nty attached
to the government and the soil Of their country
These factions resort to abusive epithets and call
those who differ from them " doughfaces." He would
merely remark. that they themselves must have been
viewing themselves their own faces and hearts in the
mirror The negroes enjoyed so much elevation
they do in the Southern States and in permitting
slavery to exist, Providence may have designed great
good. He was sorry that the Northern States had
passed prohibiting their citizens from assisting in
the rccapture of fugitive slaves
Mr. JESKrss-Do understand the gentleman to al
Jude to New York!
Mr. BRopHEAp--I understand that New York has
passed laws for that purpose.
Mr. JENKiNs-There is no such law
Mr. BRopHEAD-l am hap y to hear it. would ask
whether she has not prohibited citizens from prevent
lug the recapture of slaves
MIR. JENxiNs-There is no such law.
Mr. BRopHEAp-l am happy. for the honor Of the
State that there is such law. There is dispo
sition in the Northern States to turn Quxotic in
philantrophy overlooking evils at home and gazing
evils thousands of miles off. ! have asked my self
Mexico or California. within the next fifty years!
think that other gentlemen might properly ask them
selves the same question. askwhy IL is that there
has been change of ground on the part Of represent
tat've' from The Sou They said. last year, that
they would not take their slaves there because it would
not bc profitable and they opposed the Wilmot pro
viso because they wished not to be placed under ban
although it was of n" practical Importance to
think that there is little change of do irne here.
hold that the people OF Massachusetts have
right to interfere with the slavery ton in
New Nexico and srfornia than they have regu-
latons affecting blacks in Pennsylvania " they have.
they NAV saw we shall strike out tn. word white in
our constitution. they did in Massachusetts, Do
they suppose that such intermeddling would be
ceived with composure on our part think not. !
therefore object TO nermsddling with other peoples
business
MR.. VAN RuREy.
Mr.. BRoDHEAp expressed his surprise that those who
acted with MIR Van Buren, had changed their ground
IL will BE- remembered that in his letter prior his
election in 1888 he strongly endorsed the ground Of
neutrality on the part OF the general and
IN his inaugural address he said that he would veto
bill aboshing slavery in the District Of Columbia, not
withstanding he acknowledged the jurisdiction OF
Congress over the subject
Mr. McCLEnSARD-I would ask what authority
the gentleman states that MIR Van Buren, has changed
his opinions!
Mr. BnooHrAp-I have not undertaken to say that
Mr.. Van Buren, has changed his opinion. say that
those who to be his political friends have
do not believe that MIR Van Buren, would change his
opinion regret that he has not been able to control
from his colleagues (sr Wmots) speech. to the
that territory free should remain free and that
neutrality the subject of slavery the part Of the
government is demanded.
Mr. wILMor made an inquiry, which could not
hear.
Mr. BnopHEAD replied If the constitution carries
slavery into New Mexico and California desire IL
shall go there He referred to speech Of Mr. Dargan
Of Alabama, delivered last session which that gen.
teman appealed to the House to stand by the Missouri
compromise and also to the speeches Of democrats
well as wings. Of similar tenor He maintained that
the doctrine avowed lately by tn. Democratic Con-
venton at Baltimore the true onethat all efforts
made to induce Congress to abolish slavery in the
dangerous in their consequences. It is platform
which all may stand. He believed that the democratic
party great party Of principle and it will stand
together no matter how many Of the wings may divide
The result Of
THE COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
will determine this question. II must be met in some
manner As the democrats have taken their position
he was anxious to know whether his friends to
meet at Philadelphia, will take their position also Let
II be known whether they for the Wlmot proviso
against it. The democrats against IL. on the
ground Of policy and expedency. The democrats want
their friends the other side to affirm TO repudiae
IT, II they take up General Taylor as their nominee
they will have to abandon it entirely. lie undertook
to say they would have to back out
Mr. DuEn. Of New York; wish to ask question.
DO understand the gentleman say that the Demo-
cratic National Convention repudiatcd the Wimot
provso?
Mr.. BRopHrAD-Yes.
Mr.. DUER-l never That resolution. Do under
stand the gentleman to say that IL a democrat
who supports IL!
MIR. BRopHEAp-I say that the democratic party as
party. rcpudiate the Wimot proviso We assume tho
ground of neutrality.
MIR. DUrRWill the gentleman read the resolution of
the convention repudiatng the Wilmot provso.
Mr.. BRoDHyAD-I have read enough of the resolution
II is before the people Our position Of neutral
ity. Let us know what Is the position Of the other
side.
MIR BRows. Of Mississippi, read speech, taking the
ground that there power under the constitution
to exclude slavery from the territories and
that all the States have equal rights.
NJ SAWYER ead that the business Of the session has