The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-06

ia II lie wisely and patriotically asserted pril
9 cipls OF which approved at the lime, which
. still admire, aud which has close affinity 20 tl
question so Suddenly presented 10 this bod,
; Martin Van Buren, dared 10 declare In his inau
{ gursl speech that though il was his opinion
and u certainly is not nIiR'---that Congress Ia
the power 10 abolish slavery in the District {
Columbia, yet he conceived that II could not
done without the mast odious aud unrardonabl
breach Of faith toward tho Hlave States Of Oh
Coniederaey, and especially Maryland and Viz
gina. This declaration, Tot altogether unex
Peeted, gave Temporary quiot and satisfaction Z
the South. Il had thought, unzil recently, tina
there were very few men In The republic claim
ing anything like prominent standing anon
their llow-citizens who entertained difieren
opinion from that thus expressed, or who, II en-
pertaining it, would undertake. TO express II II
the national councils Of this republic But Tn
abolition movement has not been quite so sue
cessful rs some desired il 10 be, and now we SCI
plain indications that NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. canno
conseientiously call them gentiemen-a asserting
themselves 10 be champions Of freedom, have re-
solved 10 carry into execution scheme-an at
| tempt 70 remove by any means whatever, all thu
slaves now within this District, so that those wh'
| have been in the habit of retaining slaves Ia
their possession will be discouraged from bring
| ing others hsre and that citizens who may here
after settle here, win Of course, on the priRsipl,
Of obvioas pecuniary policy. decline bringing
such property with taem; and that, then, 10 thin
| covert aud insidions manner, the abolition o.
slavery in The Distract Of Columbia, may b, nc
eOmplisled.
The attempt 10 lcgislEte directly rpon thi'
subject in the national councils is at war with
the Consultation, IePngnant 10 all prinei-
plies Of good faith, aud i'm violation Of all ssnti-
ments Of patriotism. With whomsoevsr il or
lginates, this movement, made directly or indi-
rectly, within Congress or cut Of IL, which has
been 90 quietly denounced BY my COLLEAGUES, il
simply nefarious attempt TO commit grand lar
ceny upon the owners OF slaves in this District
| undertake TO say that there 10 not man who
has given his cOuntenanee TO this Transaction Ia
| any shape, who is net capable of committing
grand larceny; or, II he happened 10 he hero,
| as such men are not, Of perperrating highway
robbery on any Of the roads q this Union. lie
is not gentleman he w0tsld not be eounte-
danced by any respectable person anywhere.
lie is smenable TO the law. 30 farther and
dare say my sentiments will meet the approha-
ton Of many even who do not live in slave Sta
ties, and maintain that when the arm Of the law
is too short 10 reach criminal, ne may be Justly
punished by a sovereignty not known TO law
such proceedings have taken place, and there
are circumstances which not only instigaie. but
justify such acts. ! am informed upon evidence
on which | rely, that this very movement out
Of which the bill originates, has been instigated
and sanctioned by persons In high stations. IL
is even rumOFed, and IL is believed by many
am sorry for the honor Of thhs body 10 say So
that a Senator Of the United States Is concerned
in the movement. Certain ID Isl tia: q member
Of another body, not FAR distanis meeting in a
certain Hall. was yesterday morning engaged in
certain reprehensible contrivancss, and that bat
/ r 4. A. A
nous intrigues, he would have been Justly pun
ished-nOt by the mOb-bnt by high-sPlrited cit
zeRs convened for the purpose Of vin6icating
their rights, thus unjustly assaulted.
Why Is IL that this question 10 continually
sgitated In the Senate Of the nitsd States-that
il is kept here as the subject Of perpetual discus
sioni Is n simply that gentlemen wish 10 be
popular at home ! suppose 20. Is Il because
Of their peculiar sympathies Tor that portion Of
The population which constitutes slavery AS re-
cOgnized in the SOUTH What 10 the mOtivel Is
the object 20 attain popularity Is it to gain
high statiOnl Is Il 10 keep up local excite
ment in some portions Of the North, with the
view Of obtaining political elevation as the re-
ward Of such factiOus conduct But care not
for the motives Of such acts. undertake TO say
that in NO country, IN which the principles Of
honesty are respected. would such movement
as that now attempted be proposed, or even
eounte naneed for a moment | feel bound on
this occasion 10 say that the bill proposed. could
not have any good object. What does il declared
IL declares that any attempt on the part Of the
people Of this District, though tie only means
which they may have in their power, 20 protect
their property, and prevent il from being taken
from them even by stealth or open robbery. shall
subject them to be muletsd in heavy peeuniary
damages. II amounts thea TO this, that il, here
after, any occurrence similar 10 that which has
recently disgraced the District should happen,
and the good people Of the District shonld as
semble and proceed TO the vessel m which their
property had been placed and the Captain Of
which had become the agent in the neiaTious
transaction, and should then ami lhere dare 10
use the only means 10 prevent that vessel from
sailing. and their property from being taken
away before their eyes, they would be compel
led TO pay heavy pecuniary damages. II is a
bill, then, obviously intended 10 cover and pro
tect negro stealing Il is a bill for the encoar-
agement and immunity Of robbery. That is lis
true character. and whatever opinion the gen
tleman's own self-suficiency may induce him
to entertain Of his own conduct on this ocea-
sion, ! only tell him now the judgment which
every honest man will pronouncs upon II. If
the object of the Senator wai as have described
il, and as is apparent on the face ofthe bill. he
is guilty as if he had committed highway rob
berry. regret that ] am obliged 10 use harsh
terms, but they are true. The Senator from
South Carolina asserted with great truth, that
the time has come when the South should not
only let her voice be heard, but disclose to all
her enemies that she not only knows her rights,
but knowing dare maintain them'-maintain
them by all constitutional means-hy all legal
expedients---if necessary by blOodshed. The
Senator from New Hampshire, Is evidently at
tempting TO get up a sort Of civil war In the
country, aud is evidently filled with the spirit OF
instruction and incendisrism. He may bring
about result which will END in the splitting Of
human blood. | say to him, however, LET him
come forward boldly, and take the proper resPon-
sibility. Let him say, "Now am ready TO do
battle in behalf Of the liberties Of my friends the
blacks, the slaves ofthe District Of Columbia.
Let him buckle on his armor let him unsheath his
sword, and al once commence the contest, and
have no doubt he will have a fair opportunity Of
shedding his blood in this holy cause, on the "a
cred soil Of the District Of Columbia. II he b
really In earnest, he is bound, as considerations
man, TO pursue this course, which cannot bt
/ perseyered in without those awful scenes Of
bloodshed and dssolation long anticipated BY
good men, in every part Of the Republic. When
| / ask, was il that Southern men ever under
took TO invade the quiet and happiness OF the
North ! hope may be Pardonsd In making
the suggestion. ! do not wish to Institute any
invidious comparisons. thank Heaven have
an abiding confidence ia the good sense, tbs
yirtuOus patriotism, and regard for the rights O.
property, of my Northern brethren; and be-
lieve that there are many Of them, OF both par
ties, who are perfectly sound ON this question
| and who will condemn the act OF this morning
4 The South has been forbearing She has ex'
ercised more than complementary thar
forbearance. But when, ask, has any South
ern man, occupying seat in either House o