The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-15
THIRTIETH CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, July H. 1S48
DEBATE CONTINUED PRoyIso.
After the miscellaneous business of the morning hour
the Senate resumed the consideration of the Oregon
bill, the general question being upon the Wmot pro-
viso, embraced in the 18th section of the bill and
upon the various amendments proposed in addition
to, in modification.
Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS Of Mississippi took the floor
in defence of the amendment which he had moved, to
the 18th section, to wit =
Provided that nothing in this act shall be construed
prohibit the introduction Of slavery into said territory whilst the
same shall remain in that condi ton
Mr. DAVIS remarkng at the outset of his argument,
the magnitude and portentous aspect of the question
before the Senate and the country and the imminent
danger which it threatens to the Union said that his
amendment has not express provision for the
establishment of slavery in Oregon but a simple de-
caraton Of the equal rights of the States of the South
to participation in the benefits of the settlement and
occupation of the territories of the Union The 18th
section proposes the utter exclusion Of slavery from
Oregon. If Congress passed such law it would be
the first act consummated limiting the extension
Of slavery, without some corresponding concession
the part Of the North. The ordinance of 1857 was
compromse-the Missouri settlement a
promise. In both instances the compact the result
of concessions both sides This act dspenses with
all necessity Of concession, and the dictato-
rial prerogatve in behalf of one section of the Union to
prescribe the terms and limitations under which the
South shall continue to remain in the Union.
MIR. Davis pleaded that the constitution conferred
power to Congress to exclude slavery from the
territories on the Union slaves being properly,
and property is admissible everywhere. The South
demanded good faith to the constitution. The
North were pursuing different policy-boldy disre
garding the obligations Of the constitutontenS States
having passed resolutions against the further extern
sion of the South, and three States having passed
against the recovery of fugitive slaves in direct
infringement Of the federal compact. The learned
Senator took up feeling and aectonate defence of
Southern slavery tracing the institution to Dvi
thority going back to the poor old
Noah upon his son Ham, for laughing at the old man
lying exposed in glorious obviousness in the open air
He deprecated the abolition excitement and the abo
lition movements in the North, accompl hing
thing for the good of the slave and nothing but mis-
chief for the Union: He spoke of the disasters that
n. w I'M eeah 10 barr
the institution of slavery in the South the dangers of
immediate emancipation and the necessity of n long
preparation before the African to his own safety
adoption Of his amendment speech of two hours du
ration.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
Mr.. CLAYTON thought IL was time that the sense of
the Senate was ascertained in some way this sub
ject The territorial committee If they knew what to
do were ready to act. On q former occasion q COM
mittee of members from all sections was appoi nted,
who were enabled to ascertain and report upon the
sense Of the body He saw other plan by which the
Senate can now come to any early determinatio He
would move, therefore, the appointment of q COM
mittee OF eight members to be appointed by ballot
four from the North, and four from the Southwo Of
each party to each branch Of the committee add that
to said general committee the bill and all the amend
men proposed be and that they report upon
the same for the action Of the Senate.
Mr. FooTE highly approved of the proposition Of the
distinguished senator from Delaware, and hoped 1t
would be adopted by the Senate but IL the committee
should come to conclusion, he hoped the Senate
would yet be able to settle the Question before the
adjournment, and prepared to give his best exer
tons TO the attainment Of this object
Nh. CALHOUN CALLED UP.
Mr.. FITzoERALD, of Michigan, called the attention
OF Mr. Calhoun to his printed speech in full in this
mornings ana snssesssa ,nH ~ sne Sena
charges against the Northern States aiding and abet
ting the escape of Southern slaves from the Southern
States
Mr. CALHOUN could not exclude Michigan from the
general charge against the Northern States. IL she
has passed no laws against che has passed none for