The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-08-23

20 to any part OF the globe, that they are not
free, until they are r..ved to be otherwise.
He contended, that as FIVE slave States had
been added to the Union from acquired foreign
territory, there was no injustice in limiting its
Iurher extensions; and he repeated, as he had
the other day. that he should do nothing to e1.
tend the area OF slavery-to increase the slave
ry representation in the other branch OF Con.
gress. He voted upon these propositlons:- -
l. That when this constitution was adopted,
no one looked 10 the acquisition of new terri
tory. .,
2. That there should be no interference with
slavery in the States where it now exists.
3. That as five States have been added from
foreign territory, no injustice would be done IN
restricting the further extension OF The area OF
slavery.
For these reasons it was that he had declared
that by no vote of his would he do anything cal.
cula,ed 10 increase the slave representation in
the other House of Congress.
Mr.. Johnson, of Maryland, replied briefly to
the remarks of both Messrs. Benton and Web.
ster. Those who agreed with him Mr.. J.
believed that the l4,h section contained provl-
sion authorizing the exercise OF an unconslIlu-
t,onal power, or the UNI ust exercise OF consll
tu,ional power. He examined the provisions
Of the bill, referred to the compromise bill,
which had been so uncercmoniously laid on
the table by the House, and said that this had
now been followed up by rejecting the Nilsson.
ri compromise, by a still more decided vote, and
sending The bill back TO them as il was origin
ally passed by them. II the friends OF the bill
were willing to strike out the 18th section, he
was willing to recede from the amendment
And if, as it was said, slavery could never exist
in Oregon, that section was of no use, or II was
intended to have bearing on all other terrific
ry. .,
The assumption by the Senator from Massa
chusetts (Mr. Webster) that the trainers ot the
: constitution never contemplated any acquisition
of new territory. he considered reflection upor
the sagacily OF those trainers, surrounded as The
country then was with foreign territory. lie
con,ended also that the United States had unde
the constitution, the power by treaty 10 ac
quire territory, and to govern it, too, unde
the constitution. The assumption that they
looked only to the creation of future free State
fell with the others. because Louisiana thcr
lying on our southern border, if its acquisition
was contemplated, the creation OF slare States
must have been contemplated.
II the convention looked TO the acquisitlo,
of no new slave States, then it looked to tht
creation Of no new free States, except as those
coming in from the norh.ea territory. 81
far, then, according even to the Senator arsu
meut. the slave and the free States stand on th'
same fooling-and the free States possess M
mower to exclude the slave States from an equa
paricipa,ion in it, or the enjoyment of the right
which they now posses. A leading press o
New Yoik is even now advocating The amend
f ment of the constitution, with a view to thl
, very questionable extension of savery-an
surrender to the power of the North-gire u
this ,erri,ory-and the power of the South her
, is eone-lheir only source would be reslstanc
, by force. All tina, the desired was strict regar
to the letter and spirit Of the constitution.
The debate was continued by Messrs Hous
yeas and nays were ordered, and The Senat
refused to adjourn--ls to 32.
MIR. Butler rose to question of privilege, an
wished that certain resolutions published in tn
New York Herald of to-day, lin reference Il
General Kearney.] which had been offered il
executive session, and, by the publication q
which, he said, the rules OF the Senate ha
neen violated by the Senator from Missouri
(Mr. Bcnton.) He moved TO go into executive
session, with view to consider the subject
Messrs. Mason and Berrien seconded the mo
ton.
Mr.. Becse denied the right Of the Senator It
make the motion, while the Oregon bill wa
pending.
MIR. Benton was in favor of having it procee
dcd with, and with open doors He was, to
one, determined TO sit here, during the Sabbath
rather Than the efforts Of those who were talk
inc about a dissolution of the Union should sue
cecd.
Mr.. Berrien insisted that The action was il
order, and should be decided.
Mr.. Benton thought it not proper that the bus
mess ofthe Senate should be interrupted TO set
tie quarrel between two members. For
the Senator from South Carolina, or any othe
said that he bad done anything dishonorable, h'
would get the lie in his lhroat-yes, he wou'
get the lie in his throa,-lhe lie in his throat
[cries Of order, order,] and he would have Il
meet him elsewhere. yes, elsewhere, elsewhere
Mr.. Butler was ready to meet him there o
any where else. Order, order, order.
Mr.. Benton repeated what he had before
said-."',he lie in the throat" and much confusion
and excitement prevailed, with cries OF order
order, order. from all parts Of chamber.
The presiding officer desired Mr.. Benton II
take his seat, which he did accordingly.
Mr.. Bell obtained the floor, and argued a
some length the question of privilege, contend
ing that the motion was not in order, nnd init
mating that it was an effort to defeat the grea
measure before them. Whether he disagreed
with his southern brethren or not, he was dis
posed to do his duty fairly and without finching
Mr.. Benton said that under pretext for
secret session, q public motion had been made
here hy The Sennlnr from South Carolni. di