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


Mr.. VENABLE said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: The extent to which Congress may
exercise legislative authority over the Territories OF the
United States has become subecto most absorbing IN
terest 1t is felt be IN every portion OF our cou
try-has been the OF deep feeling and agans de-
bate and will continue to excite and disturb the repose
of the country until definite action shall NIX conclusion
for the popular mind am not one OF those who believe
that evil must grow out OF full and lar discussion
amongst statesmen, great constitutional questions m
volving our rights; nor shall ] be deferred rom mo
rough Investigation by camor about distractions, often
raised prevent the analysis OF the principles which are
contained in an important line OF policy Every iunda-
mental truth is an absrachon and ne only IS great
statesman who first analyze question, and them by
his mental balance weigh the result OF the operation,
and ascertain the proper force and value OF the elements
which compose it, Facts often mslead u.s. because we
assign wrong causes for their existence and when this
is done the most plausible array OF iacs the most lnge
NOUS deductions thererom, are deusve, Tor the same
reason Truth reduced to its elementary principles al
fors the only safe guide to investigation, and the only
satisfactory conclusions are those which are formed from
such development.
This subject, Mr. Chairman, has become of great
practical importance, and avail myself OF thus occasion
to present my views to the committee and the country
to assert the rights OF my constituents and the State which
in part represent to the common property OF all the peo-
pie OF all the States A convention recently held at IA
leigh speaking the sentiments of the democracy OF North
Carolina, most distinctly asserted their opposition to the
doctrines recently made prominent by their tendency to
restrict the occupation OF the territorial possessions OF the
United States to those citizens who reside in States where
slavery does not exist The clear and temperate but de-
cded in which their determination to resist such
opinions is expressed, admonsh me OF the popnety OF
urging their wishes upon this House whilst assure you
that their conclusions referribe to mpeuosity in
action, have they been rash in their adoption.
Their history is that of quiet rejecting people, never
involved in the vortex OF high party mpuse-patlent OF
wrongs, when the remedy was to be in the funda
mental laws of the country-devoed the Union and
the constituon-ready TO make sacrifices where pru-
dence or patriotism required them but never willing to
abandon either their principles their rights; always
ready to assert them patriots should, but always ex-
pecng that enlightened craftsmanship, and the high
of justice which should characterize their fellow
citizens who were called to egislae for our common
country would accord to them what due, and rene
dy or remove any cause OF complaint.
In asking the indulgence OF the committee whilst en-
deavor to argue this question: sincerely hope that may
be believed when declare that my purpose is not to ag
tate, but to compose-to pour oil on the waters which
have been roubed-to present no useless and distracng
issues to place friends in the north and west In
false position before their constituents We desire no
sacrifices of the kind only ask for the guarantees OF
the constitutions and feel assured that we shall not
ask in vain trust, sir that shall be able to present
such view OF this question: that all OF us may at least
acquesce in taking position which secures the honor OF
ALL and does equal justice to all that good understand
ing may be established, and peace and goodwill be re-
stored to our deliberations The heirs OF common III
hertance, by the sacrifices and the valor OF our an
cesors accumulated by the progress of our own great
ness should never descend from their high station to
wrangle about the partition, or permit folly to esrange
those who ought to be bound together by the most sacred
bonds.
With this view, sir, declare that we content to
abide the Missouri compromise; not that we believe thai
Congress had any right to annex any such condition. or
to enact any such laws but the compromise bayng been
made and acquesced for thirty years, there is no
purpose entertained by any southern statesman to disturb
this Ie"d adjust r tM,s aereh ha
it, and the renewal OF It's operation recognised by the
laws admitting Texas into the Union, and adjusting its
territorial limits In doing this and entering our protest
to the power OF Congress to make the compromise,
we say to ellow-citzens OF the nom savehodlng
States We have made large concessions; we have given
up large territory, to which shareholders cannot re-
have consented make 1t exclusively yours
whilst have placed no restriction to prevent you from
the occupation OF the territories to which we are permit
ted to come This concession abridges our rights, with
out the promise OF consideration; 1t enlaIges yours,
without any equivalent being paid by you yet Tor peace
Continue to acoesce and are now willing that the same
parallel of latitude may be recognised until reach inc
Pacific Shore if that is the last concession which shall
be demanded And here let me ask gentlemen, when In
the history of our national progress, did any southern
statesman invade the institutions OF the north When
were demands made for peculiar exclusive privileges,
from which any other citizens of our common country
were excluded If this be true, ask that the offensive
doctrine of the Wilmot provso be withdrawn from the
Oregon bll that this obstruction be removed from pro-
gress of that The whole country above par
ale of 800 3O and is within the spirit and meaning OF the
Missouri compromise Why do they seek to annex this
feature to the bi' Is it to obtain another precedent1to
shake the chains in faces, and teach the south the
humiating truth that they are powerless whenever
bare majority of votes be obtained here Can any
good result from this policy, either in the advance OF ma
onal prosperity the cultivation OF KIND and patriotic
feelings in great family Permit me, sir, to say with
ali respect that in such work as this demagogues find
their proper occupation agators their appropriate en-
ployment. The petty politician, whose horizon IS CIR
cumscribed by the of gle campaign, whose
little heart is filled TO OVERLOOKING with but small success,
NAV labor in such with ardor and with zeal but
the elevated statesman, the high soulcd patriot whose
enterprise is his countrys glory, whose vision, extending
to future ages looks through the VISTA and realizes all
of happiness, prosperity, and renown, which union ana
love- and concert among his countrymen snail secure
will frown upon the first effort to the harmony and
destroy the confidence OF his countymen IN each other
His reward will be rich it will be the gratitude OF pos
terity trust, sir, that the Oregon bill will be passed;
that will be delayed by this unnecessary poviso
that the cry of distress, which reaches from the mise
es of savage warfare, may be forever hushed by send
ing promptly Territorial government and military
force to their immediate relief
have said thus much, sir, in passing IN relation 10
the Missouri compromise and its legitimate results, as
rendering platform which we all can stand, pom
north and south the SOUTH indeed, shon OF some OF her
privileges but willing to concede them Tor tranquility
and repose yielding, but with protesdndo; acqnies-
cling in, but not approving the means, or acknowledging
the right to enact It, But, sir, the consmnmaton Oh
peace with Mexico (Which, suppose, may now be con
sdered fixed fact presents this question in an interest
ing and practical position before u.s. involving most I'M
portan results, and leading directly to the development
of the policy to be adopted in relation to the Territories
of the United States We called upon to meet the
question directly and to decide whether the Wllmot pro-
vso shall be brought TO bear upon the territorial acqusi
tons of the Mexican war; in what other manner this
vexed question is to be settled
And here, sir permit me to say, that adopt the doc
trne of non intervention the part OF Congress IN It's
fullest extent AS deny the right of Congress to legls
late slavery into existence in any Territory of the United
States so also deny the right to forbid it. adopt the
language of the resolution OF the late Baltimore conVeh
| ton, meeting my appreciation;
oyt.r ipIu