The North-Carolina standard., 1848-09-27
SPEECH OF MIR. VENABLE,
OF NORTH cARoL1NA,

SPEECH OF MIR. VENABLE,
NORTH CAROLINA,
On the question Of the pOVer Of Congress to Iegtstate
on slavery. DeliUered an the House Of Representa-
tires august 7th, 1S4S.
The Message of the President in relation to the
Treaty of Peace with Mexico, and in relation to the
Boundaries of New Mexico and California, being
under consideration-Mr. Venable said
Mr.. SPEAKER: would most willingly devote the
time which the rule of this House allows me to con-
sume to the discussion of the two messages of the
President the table. The peace with Mexl-
co. which they relate, and the interesting quesons
arising therefrom, would be more than could fully
discuss in the course of single hour But sir, as
I intend my remarks for my constituents and the
country, shall avail myself of the right which has
arisen under the operation of the hourrue, to write
out and publish them. rregret that my attention has
been called away for moment from the messages;
but as my colleague Mr.. Donnell,] has thought 1t
his duty to administer rebuke to me in his debut to
which have listened with profound attention, cour-
tesy him requires that / should reply. he has
taken exception to the manner In which, on former
occasion, had undertaken to speak for North caro-
lima and reminded me that l represented only one
district of State; that in speech delivered on
the s of June, concerning slavery In the Ierrtoes
in asserting the claim of fellow-cltlzens to an
equal right in the public domain with the citizens OF
those States whose institutions did not recognize
slavery, had used the expression, 81 speak for my
own Carolina;'' thereby assuming to myself right
to which l was not entitled. 1 believed then, as
do now that spoke the sentiments of the people OF
that State. But, sir, every citizen within her Dor
derS use, and should use, the same eApIeSslOH'
owe as Representative, the most profound respect
to the will of my immediate constituents 10 their
instructions owe obedience. But the high behest
of allegiance / owe " to my 0Icn Carolina to the
land where all that most value ive-the land where
the first note of independence carried alarm to the
hearts of enemies in the of the ReVolutlon-
the land whose wise and paterna police secures I'D
erty without taxation, and all the blessings OF gov
ernment without those onerous burdens which TOO
often accompany it. | spoke for her, one OF the old
thirteen, who refused to into the Union until
her rights were secured, and especially until she
became satisfied that the rights of her citizens were
recognized and guaranteed to the species OF prop
ertv now under discussion.
Sir l cannot, like my colleague, claim Carolina as
nv fatherland-I am native of Virginia; but within
her borders found all that makes life dear and hap
pv: and will say of Virginia and n orth Carolina,
that the dust and stones thereof more precious In
my sight than the jewels of any other land. 1elt
profound astonishment when heard my colleague
declare that North Carolina held humble position
this floor! ,
Mr.. DonnelI With my colleagues permission,
will put myself right If 1 said that North Carolina
held an humble position on this floor, must have
done in the hurry of debate. meant to say tnat
l was an humble Representative of an unpretendlng
State.
Mr.. Venable. 1 gladly receive the explanation OF
nv colleagues remarks lam grati6ed to learn that
such was not his intention. The expression was
used and observed, only by myself, but by 9TH
ers but am pleased that have called 1t up to his
notice; for should have looked in vain in his re-
marks for the evidence to sustain the admission
would have been a new and unexpected declarauoh
from one of her own sons am aPPIlsed that there
is but one place in all those to which men are as
signed, or which they seek after. for which they
never encounter the efforts of competition. Ihose
who aspire to elevated positions, whose ears nave
drunk in the whisperings of ambition, or who are su
CLING for success in any of the audable pursuits which
interest race nd at every stage OF their progress
those who would supplant them, or seize the prize
they straining every nerve to grasp. put sll'
for an humble position there Will be found no COIL
pettor; and our own Carolina will be allowed to as
sumo that position when her sons claim 1t Tor her
Her representation at all times on this noor ana her
DISTINGUISHED Senator's enable her to claim that Po-
sition which, as of the gallant old thirteen she
is entitled to; and although (like the most OF the
others) somewhat oFershadOwed by the grown ol
the Younger members of the family OF StaIes' sne
looks upon them with the high satisfaction with
which a fond parent regards the prosperity OF MS
children Sir, who claim an humble position, on
this floor elsewhere, for the land whlen sem Iol
Davie Nash, Graham, and Davidson, togeth-
er with host of others, lead the armies OF the
Revolution and die the batte-felds at the head
of their commands ?-whose patriotic sons, in ad-
vance of the whole American people, declared them
selves independent of the British Crown.
No. sir: the names of Moore and of Iredell, OF
Davie and of Henderson, of Nash and OF Taylor' ol
Stanly, Castor, Johnson, and HAYWOOD, ana nos
of those now numbered with her nlustrlous dead,
topether with the living lights and ornaments OF tne
bench and bar, have made her illustrlous. w mis-
the memory of Nathaniel Macon is enshrlned In the
hearts of his countrymen, and the long lst OF sIdes
men who have illustrated her claims to distinction
and renown, are remembered, my own Carolina shall
never, with my concurrence, assume an humble posi-
ton. She needs claims of mine to perfect hel
titles to the respect of her sister States and the world
they are perfected in the history of her departed and
the patriotism of her living, sons.
My colleague also declared, that he was opposed
to the increase of territorial imits that we had
already too much; and that our western domain had
already produced most mischievous consequences
by inducements to emigration; the strength and re-
sources of State had been carried off by that drain
Sir, know that the of many broad acres In
the old States have felt this apparent evil to- gea
extent The lands in the old States have declined
in value upon every extinction of Indian title, upon
every accession to limits. But, sir, should we
grieve over this! Should prefer the wealth and
prosperity of the few to that of the whole people
Should not rather cheerfnlly and promptly divide
out our wealth with children, and feel that their
prosperity is our glory! Sir civilization reoices
in the sound Of the woodchopper's axe; and as the
tall forests a before his stroke, the earth smiles In
abundance where nature, beautiful but 4nproductiSe
of human life had reigned updisurbed for centuries
Sir, when look around on this floor, and cast my
eye the Senate; when1 remember, thatfrom the
Chief Executive of this great Republic, through all