The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-24

bill may nue their respective prospects of success VIVA
for that IL is not necessary say that believe
and conscientiousy believe that the interests Of thu
country IN our present condition require the election of Thu
selected by the whg party OF the Union for the hl
offices Of President and Vice President But there ohe
things to be consult.d than party triumph tn,
election of General Taylor his defeat will, for good
for evil perhaps have been before the consequences
the agitation of this question shall be felt The direu
results of hia agitation unless it queled human
heart can imagine, no human tongue depict. Sir have
said BEFORE and repeat now that much object Il
the policy of gentlemen the other side would infinitely
prefer that the destnes of the country should be nrused
their management from this time hencefoward forever thar
TO suffer this question to on to agtae the land wing
as think know, that must end in disunion. Sir ofca
place for has nothing recommend it, but enables
me to assist IN subscribing the interests Of the country
and preserving her institutions. And if am capable Of
speaking the truth, speak the truth when say you
that would most cheerfuly leave public life and
always, if could be successful any extent bringing
about an amieabe and permanent adjustment of this
troversy What, them is to be done The proposition is
as there is no other mode of deciding it, submit the
court which the Senator from Ohio ndmres, a tribuna
capable Of doing what has heretofore accomplished,
ting amcably and properly all constitutional questions
udcay presented before IT, and in every instance, here
toore, commanding the entire appreciation of nins enths OF
the community We propose to leave to that tribunal
Why, Mr. President, excitabe southern men sup
posed TO be- think they have furnished by their conduct
IN this chamber evidence that their character that respect
has been misunderstood. Nneenths of those whom adj
Dress of the southern States themselves shareholders
perhaps all of them They have relative who is a
acknowledgements an ancestor who has not been slave
ever they have felt indignation the gross and insulting
terms in which Shareholders have been spoken Of The
senator from New Hampshire mr. HALn] called them
huckserers in human flesh. The senator from Ohio MIR.
CoRwM] told them that this peculiar institution had Its
origin in blood in rapine, and in robbery He told them
that they perhaps might be damned for but if they
were not would be because God in his mercy would par
don them, because they knew not what they did
MIR. CORwIN. have no recollection of utterng such a
sentiment.
Mr.. JOHNSON. should be very glad to believe am in
error and that the did such
but almost glad to hear him express doubt that he
could have uttered it.
Mr. CoRwiN certainly do recollec saying any such
thing, and do not believe that ever did.
Mr. JoHNsoN The senator, regret TO say, is not correct
in his recoiectons if he supposes that he did not say it,
Mr. BERRIEN. l should be most happy if the occasion
might be awaited Of to the impression made by that
declaration 1t fell upon my distinctly in these terms
do not believe that STAKEHOLDER, because he is slave
holder will necessarily be damned but if saved, he will be
saved by his knows what he does" Now,
sir the time astounded at such expression from
the senator from Ohio perfectly willing receive the
declaration of the senator now in the fullest confidence
that he unconscious Of having employed such language
and would be happy if the expression could be with
drawn from the discussion of the question: by the decara
of the senator that he unconscious Of having uttered
it; and that if it uttered my oath am ready to
testify it was, that it without incnon and therefore
withdrawn
Mr. Gown. confess have been very much surprised
within the last day two at what appears to have been
endeavor to put words into my mouth know that dis
cussed the subject under disadvantages The Senate
being weary of the protraced discussion passed rapidly
from topic TO another and IN the course OF the remarks
made spoke of the slaverade. am perfectly satisfied
that if any such remark made by me-of which have
recolecont in reference to those who carried on
the slave-trade. sfIlE
Mr.. JOHNSON. Irejocc unfegnedy hear the expana-
ton of the senator could help feeling that the
from Ohio although he had uttered the sentiment that
have referred must upon reflections agree that he had
been grossly unjust towards his elowczens But pass
from this have not alluded to it in anything like anger;
it has been in sorrow than in anger beg to correct
mysef-it has been altogether in sorrow.
Mr.. President the senator from ONO, ana tAosc VINO
have taken the side in the debate have involved them
selves, think, in very unfortunate dilemma, so far as
relates the particular fact that they will not submit this
question to the Supreme Court. should like to know
how they avoid it, If the Supreme Court is author
zed decide in all arising under the constitution the
decision in this need be given to them cannot be
taken away from them What is the proposition of the
senator To incorporate into this bill the provisions OF the
ordinance of 1887 ashonably termed the Wimo Proviso
What the doctrine of of the southern senator's 1t
s-and they very sincere In maintaining -ha under
the constitution of the United States there is no authority
the Congress of the United States incorporate any such
provision into any law organizing territorial government
If there none such provision would be unconstitutional
and void Suppose then, we put it into this bill and man
from the south goes into the Territory with his slaves,
the question before the Supreme Court for
decsion Who doubt hisi The slave petitions for
his freedom or the master indicted for supposed viola
of the law be found such provision and the master
the defends his title the negro under the
suon and in the other defends himself against the
indictment in the way The decides that the
provision of the ordinance is valid and that the negro is
free Has the the right to the Supreme
Cour' Undoubtedly And suppose he comes there; what
the question be argued9 Precisely the question
which propose by this bill to submit TO the court But
the court below finally decide the constitutional
question: whether Congress has any authority to prohibit
southern from going into the common TERRITORY OF the
United States with his slaves. Sir do not stop to
inquire whether the question may not be different one
but still the question will Gentlemen need not atter
themselves that they escape from going into the
Supreme Court unless they have made up their minds
organize these territories take from the citizens OF
the southern States the right bring up the question before
that couhe right the inquiry to the operation
the constitution and laws the United States. And who
can suppose that if such prohibition was attempted
the free States would against it, Well, them the
question must stand fall the Supreme Court may de-
by the constitution for the very purpose OF deciding such
questions, from time to time, they may arise When the
senator from Ohio tell that the Senate OF the United
States competent decide ques arising under the
constitution the Judges of the Supreme Court he closes
his eyes the whole history of our pa ~ conflicts In
one they may be capabeas far mere intellect
ual qualities concernedbu looking at the motives ha
u.s. and often unconscousiy looking at the past his
the government do not know that there hardly
question involved the constitution about which states
men and politicians have differed, whilst the Sepremt
Court when has been brought before the has not gene
rally been unanimous Sir one case Is suicent 10 mus
trate the WHOLE will mention two, however-one OF them
only mention conec,uraly; but have no doubt my
conjecture is right; the other as having occurred Inc
Senator from South Carolina, Mr. CALHOUN, and those
agree with him his reading OF the are a,
sincere their that the Congress OF the United
States has authority afford protection to American In
iustry by tariff of duties, as am IN the opposite opinion
Now sir make bold to say with due Difference to thai
Senator that the question comes before the supreme
Court they will be unanimous against the view taken by
the honorable Senator The Senator from South Carolina
too whatever may have been his original opinion he eve