The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-11


would be less hospitabe to fugitive slaves IT, how
ever it be true that the South would return, wise is
patriotic, bya oil unnecessary and unconsitu
tiona legislation, 10 force the experiment Is il not the
part of elevated and enlightened craftsmanship TO pause
ere you have reached the verge which overooks so fear
ful preciplce
In maintaining the position which do, dsavow any
intention to produce sectional pejudces or TO oment
local agitation depecate the formation OF geographical
parties feel that every inch OF soil winch is sheltered
by our stars and stripes is part oil my nome ana par Oh
my inheritance. All mean TO say is, that II the Union,
instead of shield to protect is converted into weapon
to wound. there is settled determination among The
people OF the South 10 vndicate themselves, their rights
OF property, and domestic affairs, for prepared to
share their fate We claim nothing al the hands OF Con
gress but interference We do not ask you 10 ex
tend slavery; say you must not prohibit it. We say
that New Mexico and California the common proper
y OF the States and that have the right to carry
our slaves there which the New England man has 10
carry his spindes or his looms In this position the
South feels that she is sustained by the constitution and
there she intends to stand.
In speaking thus the South does not desire be con-
sidered as using the language of menace That would
be unworthy of herself, and incompatible with her ele
waited sentiment OF conscious Tecude. Ii would be
just to the North because it would imply that she could
be moved by intimidation =, What the south means Is
this: Having entered the Union in good faith. she will
abide the compromises OF the constitution; and she
poets the North TO do likewise. But if this cannot be
SO; IT. having the numerical majority, the North will
tample rights, outrage feelings, and disregard
political equality contcdeates, cannot be held
to abide the violated bond We say in advance, not
to ntmdate but to arouse the patriotism OF the North,
their love of the Union and their regard for justice, TO
the end that they may voluntarily pause ere they provoke
consequences be depored by every lover Of liberty and
every friend OF good government.
The South Is devoted to the Union. She yeneraes its
institutions She gofes In the recollection OF the bill
liant deeds of It's founders But the Union OF her afec
tons is that which formed by the constitution, 'to
establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide Tor
the common defence, promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings of liberty" II, through the blind
ness of fanaticsn the folly OF unwaranted legislation
barp pE ha tram
into engine to Cypress the South il will TO be
object OF love and PRIDE and will forfeit all title toher
allegiance But if the spirit that animated the fathers Of
the republic can be revived if the spirit OF justice,
citation and fraternity which presided their debe
ratons could be infused into the bosoms of their descend
ants, if, under the inspiration OF such spirit, our north
friends would approach the constitution, and, its
consecrated altar sacrifice all but pure and elevated pa
trotism; if they would deal justly with the South and
exhibit towards her sentiments of beray and Kindness,
this Union would be permanent the eternal hills
and the of the sunny cline from whence come,
gloyiDg in spanged banner" would coin their
hearts if need be, into ducats and pour them into the
public lap to vlndicate the national honor.
Mr. Els next addressed the Senate. His remarks
will appear at an early day.1
MIR. MASON. have reraned from entering into the
debate ON this amendment, and have done design-
edly but | have watched It's progress with deep and
anxious interest have refraned from il because OF the
position held by my hono:ed State. Sir, it does not be-
come her representatives to invite an attack under
stand that the question before the Senate is upon the
amendment adopted by the Senate in committee, unaf
fected by any proposition TO restrain the emigration of
any population to the territory in question The hoR
orable senator from New York, [Mr. DIx,] who de
baed such a proposition. discharged an anless shaft
He offered no amendment TO give il effect am glad
that it is so. trust that | recognise this same spirit
in other quarters in the Senate. Nor should | have
spoken at all but in consequence OF some remarks which
made by the senator from Connecticut MIR NLEsl
in reference to resolutions from the General Assembly
of Virginia, which offered here Sir, there IS no
uncertainty to what would be the course oil Virginia
in The exigency to which those resolutions refer She
hnrr
power to them to be respected And she has been
responded TO by the States farther South Her decara
ton is that there be legislation by the Congress OF the
United States which shall forbid her people to migrate to
those territories with any species OF property whatsoever
such legislation shall be resisted sat every hazard,
and TO the last extremity"
Mr.. NILES, lin his seat) Was that threat'
Mr.. MASON. No, sir, not more threat than would
be the declared purpose of an honorable man TO protect
himself from impending assault Another resolution
from the legislature of Virginia the subject of re-
mark by the senator from Conneceut which was, that
should such law pass the governor is required forth
with TO convene the General Assembly to consider OF the
"mole and of redress" What that mode of re-
dress will be, II is not my province to say; that will
rest in the wisdom OF that General Assembly: But
can tell the senator what the measure will be-
do not fear to say will be such measure will re-
dress the wrong And it will be more, SIR II will be
such shall place the State OF Virginia beyond the
reach of further aggression Such will be the measure
of redress and gentlemen may construe 1t for them
selves. Sir, am happy to be able to say in this Senate
and this presence, that two elections have passed over
in Virginia since these resolutions passed. and am
yet to hear the first voice from the people of the State in
condemnation. The people, sir, without distinction IN
any shade OF party difference, have sustained them as
they passed. and will do at every hazard Sir, beg
further TO say that if speak with emotion, do
because of the tone which these resolutions have
been referred to by the senator from Connecticut who
spoke of them empty threat from the State OF Vir-
gnia conclude, sir, by expressing an earnest hope
that the vote will now be taken.
Mr.. PHELPS considered this whole discussion as
NAL dprOpos TO the business before the Senate. lie re-
GREETED that any discussion upon the subject of slavery
convinced that this irritating question could not be
adjusted by the present Congress- and therefore the appro
pration bill should not be embarrassed by it. For one,
he prepared to lay that question aside, as 1t was not
His opinion was that if let alone II would adjust
ITSELF and that too, before many years would pass away
Various propositions had been presented for It's settle
ment He had had the honor to be member of select
committee which reported what he considered TO be the
only practical project for settling this exciting question
10 refer to the judiciary of the country but that failed
II this subject was TO be brought forward at all, ne
thought il should be presented distinct proposition
and not be entangled with the appropriation bill. lie
should, therefore, be compelled to vote against the
amendment upon the ground of its incongruity to the
bill before the Senate and he would therefore ask
tors to drop this discussion and come TO vote or
the proposition Is II necessary Mr. President, TO dis
cuss this agitaing question upon appropriation
bill Sir, the object OF the appropriation bill is to keel
the machinery of government in motion; and shall tina
purpose be embarrassed by the introduction of the mos
embarrassing and difficult questions that have beer
presented to the Senate OF the United States BEG thu
Senate to hear me for few moments am heartily SICK
OF discussion. My purpose rising was TO stop IL
deavor to present TO them the necessity OF stopping That
sir, is my simple purpose. The appropriation bill mus
be passed, the operations of this government mus
stop have listened with some degree OF mortihcauoi