Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-11-30

On me OFfgOn Dti, anu also on me compromise
Bill: deferred in the Senate of The Uniied
States, July % and July "a, 1913.
MONDAY, July "a, 1S4S.
The Senate having under consideration The
Compromise Bill"
Mr. PHELPS said:
Mr. President: rise, not to discuss the a.
mcndment of the Senator from New Hampshire,
but, as member of the committee who reported
the bill, feel bound to vindicate the measure
more especially as (f atn TO Judge from present
appearances shall be almost the only represent
tative of that section OF the North, from winch
| come, in favor Of the bill. 1t is by no means a
pleasant position. Ii was as a matter Of neces-
siy in the first instance, that | consented to act
upon the committee, and to my entire regret
have discovered that the result of our delibera-
tons had met with the most decided the most
vehement-l am strongly tempted to say-the
most unreasonable opposition, from the Northern
section of the Union. This subject Of slavery,
so much discussed here, has indeed excited the
deepest alarm in the mind Of every man who is
attached TO the Union. Long before had the
honor of u seat here, tho prediction had gone
forth, that if the Union were to be dissolved it
would be through the agency of this agitating
! question. No rejecting man can regard it with
other sentiments than those Of alarm. No man
who desires the perpetuity of this Union, can a
void the strongest anxiety TO terminate this ex-
citement, and If possible to settle this perplex-
ing and dangerous question forever.
As member of this committee, felt that
had duty TO discharge To the whole county,
| was not placed on that committee for the pur-
pose merely Of representing the peculiar sentl
nents OF the people OF my own State. was
placed there to discharge duty-un imperious
duty-which owed to all sections of the coun
try. | was placed there in order 10 endeavor tc
bring to an end the agitation of this subject, a
least in this chamber. Under these clrcumsan
| ces, | concurred IN the bill which has been pre-
senled TO the Senate as proposition Of peace
| And it is now my object to sustain, If can, The
assertion | made the other day, that on this sub
ject thought could vindlcate my course to tn,
country at large, and to my own Immediate con
| stituents.
The conferences of this committee resulted il
manner surprising to all. 1t has been said tina
| extremes met here 1t Is true. The result o
our deliberations brought the honorable Senator
from South Carolina, and my humble sell, VIII,
may be regarded as representing the extremes 0
opinion, into concert If he and agree, surel
l am justified in asking that our proposition ma!
be considered and discussed IN all quarters il
the spirit of Cancellation. But how is this prop
osl,ion met? To my surprise and my regret, tn
whole catalogue OF opprobrious epithets hal
been exhausted in the attempt to heap odiun
upon this bill. 1t has been called "skukng,
"dodging,"" shrinking" "shufillng," "coward
ly" measure! do not know but the teri
"dough-face" has been applied to each OF it
supporters;
Sir, all that the committee ask is q dspassior
ate and candid hearing If the bill do nc
commend itself to the sound deliberate, aud in
partial judgment of the Senate, let it be cor
demned; we must submit. But am not dlspC
sed to see the bill hunted out of the Senate Ink
wild beast. | am not disposed to be duplicate
in the cry of mad dog" in relation to the sui
, Jcct. The committee are entitled to canGl
and rational examination Of their work.
What are the objections urged to the mea.
) ure? The very first proposition, believe con
I ing from my honorable friend from Connection
, (Mr. BALDwiS,) is founded upon the technics
, objection OF a mlsIoinder-the subject, as W
lawyers all know, of special demurrer; we
mere special demurrer. | regret very niue
1 that in The case Of measure of So great in
! porlance-involving considerations of such mai
p nlLude, affecting the interests oi the whole cou
q try, the existence OF our Institutions and Il
Unlon-that we are called upon in the outset
argue it on the nice point Of special demurre
Ny friend from New Jersey, also, mr. MILE
| complains that we have united these sever
l bills But sir, is there u single provision in til
G bill relating to Oregon, that applies TO either
the other Territories? Is there provisiC
which extends 10 California, that extends 10 al
y other territory except New Mexico? Wher
then, Is the force Of the objection that the cou
g mltlee Incorporated in one bill provisions f
II three Territories? | can answer tho objectiC
d In one word. The committee thought it exp
S dent, in order to bring the whole subject befo
l. the Senate, and 10 avoid the manifestation
mutual dstrusI by controversy, as to which b
should be acted upon first, TO pin together tho
bills, which were originally separate, and If al
gentleman objects TO the union, he can, by sill
ply taking his scissors, in one moment reno
the objection, by cutting them apart
J. Sir, 1t was but the other day that we had
d meet the objection, that distinction was ma
], between these Territories and the question W
A. asked by an honorable Senator, show does
a happen that you have distinguished beiwe
these Territories, making one provision Tor
7 egon and another for California !" The que
5, ton is readily answered. | answer 1t for m
a. self as member of the committee, IN vndlc
1t ton OF my own judgment and my own motiv
ct as northern man, hostile to the institution
" slavery, and opposed to It's further extension.
n The people or Oregon have already adopted n
,. views and my opinions, IN the absolute exclusl
OF slavery FROM that Territory Every conslde
alton which bears upon the subject convinces I
that they will hold 10 the same opinion. The
will be 10 inducement TO carry me INSTITUTE
" there. Their condition, soil, climate, produ
IL lions, and pursuits will forbid II; whlle the Sc
~ tinenIs and preconceiyod opinions OF the pc
W pie who will emigrale thither will DO hostile