Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-08-18
Mr.. Marsh's speech.

The Washington correspondent the Boston
Atlas speaks in the following terms of the speech
of our Representative, GEORGE p. MARSH, do.
llvered in the House on Thursday last, (the Sd
inst) twill not be long, we trust, before we shall
hear his voice at home. enforcing the sound and
just doctrines in regard to the subject of Slave.
ry in the National Territories, which he has SO
eioqucnlly and torcibly laid down in Congress
Does any sane man in this District believe
that GEORGE p. MARSH would support and ad-
vocae the election of Cen TAYLOR and recon-
mend him to his constituents as he has do
emphatlcally and earnestly, il lie believes that
he would throw the great weight Of the Exccu-
tive influence in favor of extending Slavery over
the Free Territories of the Union? We trust
not. Mr. MARSH regards the declarations of
Gen. TAYLOR, and of his friends who know him
well, as meaning something; and not as the
empty twadde ola schemng politician.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3. ls4S.
| After some unmportant preliminary business
the House. this morning, went into Committee
ofthe Whole, Mr.. Ashmun in the chair, osien.i.
bly, to discuss the Army Appropriation Bill, but
in reality to hear the opinions Of those VI o
c-Savcry in the new Territories Mr. Marsh,
Of Vermont, made the first and best speech, en-
claiming the attention of the members on both
sides o! the iluuse-those who sat at a distance
leaving their seats and gathering around him
His style of delivery is BY no means attractive,
vet the deep erudtion which was manifest in
every sentence, the logical manner in which he
probed the sophistry Of the administration, and
his scalhing rebuhcS of Northern men with
Southern principles, rendered his remarks deep.
ly interesting to all, and regrc, that have only
time 10 write ont portion my notes.
Mr. Marsh commenced by declaring that
Slavery had never been abolished in Mexico,
which he concusively proved by many extra is
from her constitution and laws, thus showing
that it was impcra,vely necessary to prohibit
Slavery in the Territories formed IN the bounds
! # our conquest. Oregon was next taken mp,
md it was shown that, If the question was left
o the people Of that Territory, Shareholders
would flock there and secure majority, before
, constitution would be adopted. The Demo-
rats said that Slaves would not be taken to
oregon until there were laws there to govern
hese Slaves. But what was the law that gov
.rned Slaves where Slavery exists Is it re-
| ,pect for legislative enactmcnts which restraints
he Slave in Virginia or Alabama from lifting
us hand in defence of his wife or child ! No !!
would govern him IN Oregon-and the forces
Lr. Polk il sending there would aid in eniorc-
no this unholy rule
While Mr.. Marsh maintained that the argu-
nent oi the South, on the question OF Slavery, i,
, mistaken ialacy, he spoke with courtesy OF
southern men. and declared that it was not bis
wish to stigmatze each one as kdnapper or
nan steaer. He would not even rcbuke the
South for maintaining Slavery, where it ex.
SIS; bat any attempt on tn ir part Ia extend
It's bauefGl influence, he denounced as a
crime against tie law of nature and Of God -
som, Sonlherners had tauntingy said that New
England maintained Slavery so long as it was
profitable, and then abolished il because il would
not paw This is untrue. Slavery rGs proiiia-
; be in New England, but her sons abolished 1t
because it was contrary to the dictates OF their
consciences.
The North-what had tie North to do with
al this matter, which, after all, i, but the lcglt-
innate result Of the annexation Of Texas! Had
the North any thing To do with that annexation.
Was not the Northern portion OF Oregon given
up by Southern politicians to clip the wings o.
tie Norti? Was the late wicked and unhoiy
war carried on 10 crafty the North! And are
these oulrages never TO cease
Some Northern men 1t is true, are found whc
repudate the principles OF their chdhood's ho ne
they are lOund IN Name. III Massachusetts, "
New York. And II the administration men, it
the House, wish Il motion made that the cruel
lest Stakeholder that ever welded cat o nine
tails would blush to make--lf they wished IL
gag the House BY moving the previous question
they had only 10 up the wink 10 some Penn
sylvania broIibrim, All eyes were directe,
towards Mr.. Broadhead, Of Pennsy wanna, whost
face assumed bsight scarlet tinge.
NJ Marsh next commented upon the conduc
If the Baltimore candidate, as characterized by
f a betrayal Of Northern rights, and obsequiou'
devotion To Southern interests. lie was sup
, ported by faction unwashed from the unclean
ness ol Texan annex ,tiun, and red with the
/, blood shed in the Mexican war Nay, it il re
ported that American officers, To their shame, Il
{ oar shame and TO the shame Of the Executive,
are organizing new act oi the annexation dra-
ma TO add to Southern power,
Il In conclusion, Mr.. Marsh expressed il as his
r opinion that all we had to do with Oregon was
to watch over her with maternal sollcltnde, I'M
til she could take of herself, and that u s'le
! was saddled with unholy institutions, the blood
was upon our head. Oregon is too lar nc, 10 u.
= a portion Of the Atlantic confederation, " na'
; common intcr,s, has Massachusetts pay WIN
!. the Bav Of San Francisco--or New to'k WV"
D Monterey Their Inhabitants may be OF the
g same stock, breathe the same ar, wofsn'P "s