Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-04

who contribute to them, without denunciation
of the cause that excited that Indignation. |
cannot but trust that do not stand alone in these
views.
have for so many years raised my voice up
on this subject, that have been considered al
most the exclusive defender of this great institu
ton of the South, upon which not only its pros
perty, but its very existence depends had
hoped younger members who have come into this
body, who represent portions of the country at
least as much interested as that from which
come, might have taken the lead and relieved
me from the necessity of ever again speaking
upon this subject trust we will grant no leave
to introduce this bl-that we will reject it, and
that if anything be referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary, it will be to make penal enact.
ments 10 prevent these atrocities these pratt
cal attempts on our own rivers these wholesale
captures these robberies of seventy odd of our
slaves at a single grasp. Delay is dangerous on
this question The crisis has come, and we
must meet t--and meet it directly | will
add we have ample means to meet it. We can
put the issue to the North, if they disregard the
provisions of the Constitution in our favor--if
their sea going vessels cannot safely come up
INTO our ports, we can prevent them from coming
here, and thus make the issue at once. IL the
stipulations in the Constitution in our favor are
not to be respected, why should we respect those
in others do not intend to make long speech
on this OCCASION but | would here feel myself
TO be lacking in my duty to the people Of the
District, to the people of the South, and to the
people of the United States, had not raised my
voice against the introduction of such bill on
such an occasion.
Mr.. WEsTcoTT.-l am not going to make
speech on this bill, for the simple reason that |
intend, after few observations, TO move to lay
this motion for leave to introduce the bill upon
the table, and ask for the Yeas and Nays
Mr.. CALHOUN The bill is not yet introduced
Mr.. WEsTcoTr.-The Senator from New.
Hampshire asks leave to introduce the bill and
move to lay it upon the table.
Mr. CALHoUN.-Better reject it. | trust we
will meet it directly and reject it,
Mr.. WEsTCoTT. Il did not understand the
Honorable Senator from South Carolina; but,
now that do, l am perfectly willing to adopt
the suggestion.
Mr.. CALHOUN; Il would greatly prefer to meet
the motion directly and reject it.
Mr.. WEsrCorT.-I have no objection to that,
and had taken but another mode of attaining that
object In answer to the suggestion of the Hon.
Senator from South Carolina that it was the du.
ty OF other Senators representing the South, to
speak on this matter, will state one reason on
y why could not do 80. could not trust my
own feelings when heard the Senator from New
Hampshire introduce this bill Sir, there has
been no outbreak, no violence in this District.
There has been no disturbance except on the
part OF set of men who, it seems, have come
into this district for the purpose of assailing
slave owners in the peaceable enjoyment ofther
property, secured to them by the Constitution
winch we have all sworn to support. There has
been public indignation manifested by an as
semblage of those who have been thus wronged.
But has there been any violence as yeti? ANY
destruction of property? No. wonder that
there has not been. And when the Senator from
New Hampshire procaims that there is danger
OF TINS, call upon him for his testimony in rela-
ton to this m itte.. Where does he get the evil
dence that any portion Of the property ofcitzens
OF this District is to be burned down or des-
troyed! was present last night, as spectator,
at large assembage Of the citizens of this Dis
trlcL heard law officers of this District and
other gentlemen speak on the occasion, but |
heard nothing by any means so incendiary as
have heard since the Hon. Senator from New
hampshire took his seat upon this floor. 1t is
true, indignation was expressed, but leading cit
liens OF this district and slave holders declared
that they were averse TO any act of overt violence.
Indeed, this assemblage, which has been called
a tumutuous mob, peaccably appointed com.
mttee OF fifty citizens to wait on the editor and
request HIM to remove his incendary publication
which had provoked this excitement | have
only to say, Sir, that readily yield to the sug-
gestion Of the Hon Senator from South Carolina
Nc DAVIS, of Miss sslppi. The Senator from
South Carolina has remarked that he expected
that some younger member of this body would
notice the motion of the Senator from New
Hampshire to introduce bill, the purpose of
which is the protection Of ncendIares and kid
nappers. have only to say that it is from no
want of accordance in feeling with that honora-
bic Senator, but from Difference 10 him who has
so long and SO nobly stood forward in the de-
fence ul the institutions of the South, that re-
, main silent. 1t was rather that | wish to follow
him than that did not feel the Indignation which
he has SO well expressed. The time has conc
when, if this District is to be made the theatre
f OF such contests, Congress should interpose the
legislation necessary for the punishment OF those
men who come within our jurisdiction. acting II
} tact aud IN morals as incendlarles-comingh here
to steal portion Of that property which is recog
nzed as such by the Constitution OF The United
f States. Why Is 1t that in this body, once looked
, to as the conservative branch of the government
r once looked to as so digniied that it stool
above the power OF iaclion-lhat we find the sub
ject of this contest SO insulting TO the South sc
Insulting always when it is agitated and intro
duced on such an occasion' Is this debatable
, grouni No! 1t is ground upon which the
, people Of this Union may shed their blood, and
that is The irsl result, if it be pressed any fur
Ire Of that contest, let ii come--the sooner the
, better. We who represent the Southern States
are not here TO be insulted on account of this
\ institution which we inherit. And if civil dis
cord is 10 be thrown from this Chamber upon The
4 land, let it germnate here and am ready fol
one 10 meet it with any incendiary who, dead tC
every feeling of patriotism, attempts here 10 pro
, duce it.
Mr.. FoorE. On the 4th of March, 1886, the
American people Of all parties assembled at this
, Capital for the purpose of witnessing the nau
gurallon of the President of the United States
, That President was Northern man. he'd the
honor of listening to his inaugural speech and
in it he wisely and periodically asserted prin-
,, ciple of which | al proved at the time, which
still admire, and which has so close affinity Ia
the question so suddenly presented to this body
Marlin Van Buren, dared 10 declare in his lnau.
gural speech that though it was his oplnlon--and
Il certainly is not mlne--lhat Congress has the
power to abolish slavery in the District of Co
umbia, yet he conceived that it could not be
done without the most odicus and objectionable
breach of faith towards the Slave Suites of the
Contederacy, and especially Maryland and Vir-
gina. THIS declaration, not altogether uneX-
, pecteJ, gave temporary quiet and satisfaction 10
f the South. had thought until recently, that
there were very few men in the republic claim