The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-25
CITY OF WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING. OCTOBER 25 BB
SPEECH OF MIR. JOHN Mex EON,
OF NEW YORK,
Before the Fifth Yard Cas- and Butler Assoeiatic
OF NEW YORK,

SPEECH OF MIR. JOHN McIxEON,
NEW YORK,
Before the Fifth Ward Cas- and Butler Association OF
BROOKLYN
We give an extract from speech delivered by Mr.
Mckeon few evenings since. Ii presents the views
OF that gentleman relation to the agitation of the slave
question: the position of the democratic party, the silence
OF Gen Taylor and boldly defends the right of the peo-
pie OF the Territories to regulate this subject for them
selves Mr. Mckeon whilst in Congress, the faith
full supporter of the right OF free dscussonNep York
True Sun.
After referring to the abuse heaped on our southern
friends, Mr. McKeon continued: The attack which is
now made the South in violation of every constu
uonal duty, violation of the advice of the Father of his
Country as bequeathed to in his Farewell Address
and In violation OF that debt OF gratitude which the North
owes to the South for her patriotic and self sacrificing
spirit IN the cause OF the Union and democratic pnc-
Pies Where was the South found in the days OF the
revoluton' When British bayonets glistened on the
fields OF Massachusetts, the South rushed into the con-
test by the side OF their eastern brethren The battle
grounds OF Bunker Hill. OF Saratoga and Yorktown
glory ' BY the . ss4n. hossn .e q
southern patriots Where stood the South in the war
of 1912! By the side of their eastern and northern
brethren That war was peculiarly in defence of the
navigating interests Of the East and North Had cold
booded selfshness prompted the South they might have
said that they called upon to sacrifice their great
agricultural nerests-the great staples of cotton and
northern interest They might have said, we can carry
the rest of the world, and allow the North and East to
take care of themselves. No such policy was pursued
The in which every part of the Union must
bear its burden, and the southern States gave their
hearty and Jealous support to that important measure
After peace declared what has the South demanded
of peculiar and exclusive character from Congressl
Nothing But, the contrary, she has warred against
the system OF monopoly, which has been enrching the
capitalist and robbng the daily aborer Southern de-
mocracy has fought shoulder to shoulder with the
friends OF democracy against the bank and tariff monopo-
lies. The northern laborer owes to the South whatever
alienation he enjoys from the oppression of north
and capitalists Examine the political history
OF the Union and the South will be found faithful to its
constitutional dutles and faithful to the true spirit of the
Union Let the story OF the late campaign in Mexico be
one OF the best witnesses in defence of the South.
The graves OF her children be found in every field
of renown won by American arms in that country The
two great names OF the war-the heroes of the Rio
Grande and of Mexico-are connected with the slave
holding States of Kentucky and Virginia During the
whole of that glorious struggle they fought not for the
advancement of the interest OF any particular State
York charged together not for the Palmetto for the
Empire State, but for the Union. The gallant Missis-
sipan, General Quman, when he heard that the flag of
regiment of particular State which amongst the
first to enter the city of Mexico about be raised
the halls of the Monezumas insisted that the flag of
single State should be placed there but the banner of
the Union alone should float those halls which had
been by the joint armsthe vaor and of the
Union. This war concluded, indemnify could only be given
to the United States by Mexico transferring to por-
ton OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and New Mexico. The
question was then propOunded to the country how far
this territory acquired should be subjected to the in
PRODUCTION or extension of slavery. 1t is well known
that opposition made to the acquisition of any ter
roy from Mexico. The policy of the federal party has
uniformly been opposition to the extension of repub
he The federal party opposed the acquisition OF Louis
Had they been successful, one of the brightest
Jewels in confederacy would have been lost. They
opposed again the extension of the country westward,
Convention They . opposed the acquisition Of Fioda
and lately the annexation of Texas What American
heart does not feel proud of the extending circle of this
of dsunon, when he finds the devotion to the Union of
the citizens of Iowa and Wisconsin and Texasthe last
stars which have appeared IN the galaxy not inferior 10
that displayed by the oldest members of the confederacy
The federal party having ascertained that open oppos
ton TO the acquisition of territory not acceptable TO
the American people, has attempted to produce the same
result by Gripping the South in the enjoyment of any
acquisitions An appeal is made to the prejadces of the
North East and West to forbid the emigration of south
ern people into our new Territories Knowing full well
the prejudice against slavery which exists out of the
savehodng States, they organize party whose rallyng
cry is free soil" They insist that Congress shall pass
law forbddng slavery to exist IN the new Territories.
claim their rights under the constitution of the United
States They point 10 the battle fields of Buena Vista,
of Cerro Gordo, and OF Churubusco, when northern,
WESTERN and southern men trumphed together, and by
their ndomtable courage, for the Union New Mexico
and California. They demand that the territory acquired
by the common blood and common treasure Of the
Union, shall be for the common benefit and common use
of every citizen of all the States of the Union To deny
this demand is TO degrade themto render them nferi
and to debar them from the advantages Sacredy pedg
ed to them under the constitution The evil and original
spirit of dsunon could not permit the with Mexico
to be concluded before it presented this question
divide and distract the country, and thereby impair the
efficiency Of operations in Mexico Whilst the fede-
raj party in Congress, with Mr. Webster at their head
land to which Mr.. Van Buren, has allied himself insist
ed on Congress passing law which should restrict sa-
very in new Territories Mr. Calhoun insisted Congress
had right nor had the Territories themselves the
right 10 adopt any law in relation to the subject The
opinion OF Gen. Cass who is now the exponent of the
views OF the democracy of the Union, given in his
celebrated letter to Mr. Nicholson He takes the ground
that this is question to be settled by the
TERRITORIES themselves His language is as follows:
'.Brefy, then, opposed to the of any urs
dcton by Congress this matter and am in favor of
leaving to the people OF territory which may be here
after acquired the right regulate for themselves under
81 do the constitution grant of the requi-
site power Congress; and disposed extend
doubtful precedent beyond its necessythe establish
nent OF territorial governments when Notwithstanding
the inhabitants all the rights compatible with the relations
they bear the confederation
So Because believe this measure, ii adopted, would
weaken, not impair the union of the States and would
the seeds OF future dscord which would and
ripen into abundant harvest of calamity"
submit to the candor of every democrat whether
not the great question in the revolution between and
England was the right to enjoy social government Dot
the crying of Ireland at the present day the want
of local parliament Can any deny that the resi-
dents of the Territories to be affected by slavery are bet
ter Judges of the and wishes of the people than
the represe natives in Congress from the city OF New
York or of Boston The conservative principle OF our
Union is leaving TO the several States the regulation of
all matters which are peculiarly inter territorial and
nIacnu Conoreas those matters which alone