The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-02

their rights as TO admit the propnety OF such
could never, sir, return to my constituents after APP
proving of such measures, without deep conviction
that deserved their contempt and assurance that
should receive their execration Neither can be in
duced 10 believe that any considerable number OF our fell
low-c citizens in any portion of the Union desire such
State of things demand unreasonable, and the OPP
Grafton of which would be garngly unjust, can
be made by those who regard the rights OF others,
properly estimate the great objects OF the union OF the
States
The whole of the difficulty in this vexed question seems
to to be the result OF doubt which has arisen
whether slaves be property under the constitution In
these days of progress it seems to have been discovered
that they not to be so regarded, and phanlhroplc
crusade is set on foot to prevent what is deemed the
tension of great evil SO far this government is
cerned. sir, is dry matter of law and not subject of
transcendenta rhodomontade Gentlemen may indulge in
the recreation OF phanthropic defamation, either for
their own or the edihcaton of others. But surely as
certaned and guaranteed rights not to be hazaded
questioned upon any such pretence. arragn no mans
motives for his opinions the abstract question of sa
very it is sufficient for that satisfied with an
institution which existed my State before my BIRTH
and will continue long after my deah-an institution the
to which refer much of the peculiar excellence of
institutions, and the absence of which would at de-
temine me in the choice OF residence | have never
lived, and never expect to live, in any portion of the
United States where this institution does not exist
Such, sir, are my opinions. It may be that they are
not the opinions Of others arraign no man for his
thus much because think all rant and defamation
the general subject of slavery out of place this discus
SON. Slaves were regarded as property at the formation
of this government, and have been regarded by Con-
gIess whenever 1t was necessary to raise money by
direct tax. Even Mr. Justice Mclean, whose authori-
ty has been invoked to prove that they are not
drecttax law, Immediately at about the close of the
late with Great Britain. presume he voted for that
aw as there is no evidence to the contrary. Slaves
therein declared to be property ordered to be treated
SUCH taxed such, and the declared to be lien
the slave until paid The marshal authorized to sell
and convey the slave under sale for taxes Slaves
apUaV haVp hppp huf chau ntn
cuons at the instance OF the United States, and
has questioned the title thus acquired by the purchaser
may forbid the settlement of any OF the citizens OF the
United States on our common inheritance with that
which is recognised as property?
With what show OF justice can determinations be
made IN favor OF one species OF property and against
another or how can right which looks tor its origin to
the exercise OF State sovereignty unimpared by
der to the general government. be brought under the
troll OF Congress-? Sir, it is most serious, most
sponslbe undertaking, to determine that any portion of
our fellow citizens are to be excluded from the inherit
ance of their fathers You ask much indeed, from u.s.
when you require us to consent to children dsn
hered-o register appreciation of the decree which
illegitimates them as American citizens Much more is
asked than will be granted If this reproach is
be upon u.s. it must never be by our own consent The
broad lands by fathers of right belong to all
The blood which flowed upon the plains of every bat
tle-teld from Saratoga to Camden, came from the
wounds of patriots who, from the north and south,
buckled on their armor to do battle for liberty-whose
bold and manly hearts were never under the influence of
advantages, but regarded all this broad land common
treasure enrich themselves and their postery Hap
PLY for them, the deuson Off one) lasted long enough to
save their honored faces from blush atour degeneracy
Happy was his lot, who slept on the field of his glory
thrice happy those who in the distance their
tys prosperity and LETT the world before discussions and
dstrus threatened to bring distress where they looked for
happiness, and dishonor where they looked far glory
reserved for US, that the family of States
has increased from thirteen to thrtywhen Heaven has
rained prosperity upon us in golden showers-when the
eyes of world struggling for their rights turned
TO us with agonzing anXety-when the consumma-
ton of our glory and power people scarce
ly be conceived by the most vivid maginaton-when the
obedent lightning, coursing along the wires of COM
munication, will ere long, place our kindred on the Pa
chic and Atlantic shores again in the family circle and
carry in moment the tale of JOY of rivers
and forests, and prairies and planswhen distance shall
no longer forbid association, and light and knowledge
shall make their aggressive advances darkness and
barbarsm-when the resources OF our Territories, devel
oped under the creative energies of wonderful people,
SHALL year after year. greet us with the organization of
State, the introduction OF sister into the fam
lily, bright with all the paaphernalia OF virgin SOW
ereigny. Let il not, sir, be reserved for lis, in
unworthy struggle for political ascendency, more
unworthy graspng for exclusive privileges, founded
sectional claims, to create and awaken the elements of
storm which shall sweep over our bright and happy
country like the angel of destruction, leaving nothing
but the wreck of liberty and the ruin of social nsu-
TONS which shall show to the world the tomb of liberty
the fragments of its temples; where the friends of
race shall weep and the enemies of human advancement
shall rejoice No. sir let more enlightened policy pre-
vail, more generous impulse give direction to
ures let the heaven born spirit influence us which inu
enced the patarchs, who, ascending to the mountain top
agreed to divide their wealth and divide their territories
the elder giving the younger the choice, for it
meet for them to differ for they BRETHREN Let the
lines of the Missouri compromise extend to the Pacific
Take that Invaluable territory including the richest and
the best which the shines upon but leave
rights shon indeed of much of their extent and although
you hold your hands the sword OF the law to exclude
us, will place obstruction to emigration from your
portion of this great republic
Mr.. Chairman, present to the committee the resolu-
ton OF the Baltimore convention, which denounces, in
the strongest terms the interference of Congress with the
institution OF slavery, or even the taking OF incplent
steps thereto. offer northern and western brcth-
rem the Missouri compromise, and exacting
is upon the SOUTH extending its provisions TO the Pa
cc including the fine soil, the magnificent harbors, and
all the local advantages which nature has appropriated
these geographical limits | admit the right OF the in
habtants OF the Territories to make their municipal
institutions, whenever they shall reach that amount of
population which shall entitle them to representation
on this floor shall welcome them, whether forbdding
or recognising slavery into the Union contented
time, to the learning and the purity of courts
But protest against the right of few habitans of
Territory to exclude The citizens of fifteen States of this
Union from the occupancy of the common public domain
protest against the authority of a law which they
may enact which shall override the constitution, and
am willing 10 leave the question whether the laws OF
conquered New Mexico and California shall control u.s.
to the courts | invoke legislation on the part OF
Congress- to protect, to extend to limit slavery Sat
ised with the guarantees already existing, coeval with
the constitution and coexensive in their opeatlon in the
this subjecteave it where the constitution has placed
it, and we ask no We are satisfied that whilst
the constitution overrides law enacted by Congress
which conflicts with its provisions, it will certainly