Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-08-26


Cypress Sir shall despair of the republic when the
Representatives, of the American people in Congress
bed longer be trusted and when look the
President alone for safety.
But how is the power to the South Suppose
yha hardly suppoabe) that Gen Cass should be elected
Southern votes and that Congress should thereafter pass
bill prohibiting slavery in the territories and he should
place his veto upon such bill how then shall stand in
spect TO New Mexico and California II savery
bers OF Congress sufficiently TO pass such BILL
utterly hopeless expect that they will by the appica
ton oil the Missouri compromise line, allow the Introduction
OF slavery into these territories south OF So 80 north latitude
The consequence is inevitable that the power Of Gen.
Cass President should strike dead the positive action of
Congress in prohibiting slavery then we are to be LEFT without
any law upon the subject in those territories except such
may exist The only good the veto power accom-
pish therefore, is keep these territories without law
upon the subject of slavery, and in that respect give pre-
cisely the blessings which derive from this bill frby
it the power TO make laws respecting slaveryin New Mex
leo and California nedcted, and that subject there
to be change Well, sir what have we been told in the
argument and speech of that profound lawyer from Vermont
PHELrs who warmly advocates the passage Of this BILL
notwithstanding his open and avowed hostility TO the further
extension Of slavery He says and believe truly that it
only necessary to prohibit further legislation the subject of
slavery in California and New Mexico exclude slavery from
their borders forever The DEGREES OF Mexico aboishng sa
very in these States Provinces and all other parts of her
empire, have been read Clerks table, Now, sir, i'll
things to remain they forever through the application
OF Executive veoes by the passage Of this BILL how
possible that slave be held such newly acquired
~,
of charging the area of freedom Canada and Ire
land, the deed is done Kentuckans Caro-
nans emgrae and settle with their slaves and hold them
SUCH in either Of those countries As Kenuckian should
be content and pleased them the privilege Of doing
upon the ground that if slavery is blessing, was
ferrng it, and making fellow citizens the happier
thereby and curse that only dividing IN and throw
ing part of the burden from shoulders upon those who
conquered purchased Subjects might rghuly be COM
PEELED TO aid their associates. In the latter case how
think would be but oct Of beraity TO give our
new brethren voice in the matter. offered to do SO, but
the proposition was rejected.
The position taken by Senators from the South who adyo
cate the passage of this bill is that in virtue Of the consu
ton OF the United States territory is
ed any STAKEHOLDER may emgate to it with his save and
there hold him just he might DO in the State whence he
emgraed, although there law in the Territory annexed
toleratng the existence Of slavery and if the law up
the instant of annexation positively prohibited it, The bill
under consideration proposes submit the truth OF that pro-
poslon question of law, to the decision Of the Supreme
Court. The gentleman from Vermont (Mr PHELPs) says
1t is utterly untenabe mansty ysatve of the plain
est principles of national law laid down by Vae and in
the decisions of the Supreme Court heretofore pronounced
that he will not hesitate to submit the question to that Court
have my opinion, but this bill pass propriey
regarding my position in sustaining that opinion by advanc-
ing arguments adverse decision in favor Of the Southern
side OF the question 1t is enough for to say that coin
eide with the gentleman from Vermont believe that slavery
cannot exist without law founded custom, usage,
statute. therefore perceive advantage to the section
represent from the passage Of the BILL On the contrary,
u IN.
fore wash my hands OF it.
But, Mr. President let look at facts and consider for
moment longer how vain thing is hope for the extension
or peipetuaton Of negro slavery by relying upon the veto
power Look at the preponderance of representatives from
the sayehong States in the other branch of Congress
Look at the fact that the State of Delaware from her dmi
nshed slave population just at the point of abolishng sa
very, and must in year two initiate her neighbors,
New Jersey and Penns vana look the fact that
proposition apply the line Of 36o so had been accepted
the Morrill, after concedng all the territory south of that line
to the of Shareholders would have of more than
haf million OF square miles of territory Look at all these
facts and II is impossible obscure and hide from vision
the superior political strength of the onsavehodng States
now and forever. They vote down, if they will.
They can elect President, it be their pleasure who will
not veto " Wmot provsoes. Now, sir, in view of these
things ask II is not madness the part of the South TO
stake their interests and their peculiar institutions upon
Executive veto, and be hunting 'Norhern with
Southern principles with the po ssion Of such principles
before the election their candidate for the Presidency
Does moi every perceive that such the part OF
the South is calculated aggavate the anti slavery feeling Of
the North, and to bring upon those insults proaches and
arrogant assumptions which WILL unless checked, divide US
into sectional parties and ultimately the Union
For myself, never will adopt such line of policy.
shall attempt to with my feow-ctizens of the North
and their representatives. and when find reason is van that
ambition and seshness covered under mock phanhro
py, and that the condemned institution of slavery for which
the people Of my State responsible than those Of
Massachusetts, has eectuay aenaed the hearts Of Northern
and women from the people OF the South, shall look TO
other reances than Executive shall refuse 10
ciae in these halls with any set Of who unwilling to
recognise and those whom represent their equals be-
hold slaves Sir this may be strong language when
have just acknowledged that the South hope to
equal the North in political power. Strong is, adhere
TO it. will continue connexion when am to be dis
honored by it,
We urged pass the bill reported by the committee
compromise and the only thing which can be agreed
upon. We told that its passage will quiet agitation and
give repose As compromise, regard it conceding
nothing whatever the South. provides for lawsuit be-
tween master and slave and gives the right bring by APP
peal writ Of TO the Supreme Court am pwing,
when return home and asked by my constituents whether
they emgate with and hold their slaves in New Mexico
California TO you may do your peril and at
the risk OF having your slaves manumed by the decisions OF
the courts Who will take slaves there under such dscoua
ging circumstances Who will incur the costs Of the ga
ton, when the opinions expressed here by the lawyers from
the North unanimous against the master and in favor OF
the slave and when to say the least the lawyers from the
South divided in opinion What master unwise as TO
risk his slave property under such circumstances and 10 incur
the certain expense and trouble Of gang with his slaves
provided for by this bill
But promised peace and quiet in regard to the ques-
ton Of slavery, after this bill passes IL this bill contains one
sopoc quality, my alchymistc skill does enable me to
detect it, Sir, II will throw a new, stimulating ingredient
into the elevescng political caldon What have already
heard in debate The gentleman from Ohio MR. CoRwIS)
specuaes upon the workings Of that strangely constructed
and curious organ, the human intellect and wonders how
that in this Senate all the mcn6ers north Of Mason and
way upon the questions which this bill proposes submit 10
Tho If tho Aa1t have