Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-31
SLAVERY AND THE UNION IN TuE SENATE.

SLAVERY AND THE UNION IN THE SENATE
An inter ,sting. but rather unreasonable, debate
took place in the Senate Of the United States ON
IIesday, upon the question Of printing the resou-
tons lately adoptedby the Legislature of New
York on the subject Of slavery which were pre-
scented by Mr.. Dix. The general topic of the rcla
tions between The Northern and Southern States.
as affected by the various injuries of which the lat
ter complain, was seriously discussed. large
majority -oi the Senators approved tho printing Of
the resolutions, there being only six who voted i'm
the negative, viz: Messrs. Bo.land Davis Of Mis-
slsslpp', Downs, Fitzpatrick, Hannegan and Yuee
Senstors Kusk, Suce, Foote, Mason, King. Der
rien. Fitzpatrick. Downs, Butler and Meicalfe. ON
the part of the South, and Senators Dix, Dickin-
son, Niles. Douglas, Felch and Baldwin, On the
part OF the North, participated i'm the dscusson.-
The Southern Senators warmly demonstrated a
iyainst the resolutions being of highly objection
able character. Mr.. Mason, of this State denounc-
cd their language as being that of "contumely and
indignuy," and advocated the printing, that the
Southern States might know their character. He
expressed himself with much earnesiness rs to the
critical condition of the Union MIR. Niles and Mr.
Douglas declared their belief that the Union was
in no real danger, and Mr.. Metcalfe made, at the
close Of the debate, remarks to which his po-
siion, as Senator from the central State of Ken
lucky, gives an important interest :-Ricicnond
Times. Jan DC
1.-The debate (said Mr.. Nj. y which we have had
here to-day upon this subject, sir reminded me of
certain questions that have been made and pro-
! pounded to myself The question has hcen Tell.
us, do tell US. where Kentucky will go when this
| Union is dissolved vii! she unite with The South
! or will she unite with the North? Where, oh,
where, will Kentucky bo found ? ! confess that
on this subject have had some difficulty in my
own mind but have settled down fixedy upon
this conclusion, that Kentucky will neither unite
with the South nor with the North, as Southern
and Northern divisions. ! had the honor on a
former occasion TO tell you somewhat of what
1 believed 10 be the views, the feelings, ana
the wishes of Kentucky it regards this great
question. here are, sir, too many ties; the
hgaments are too strong; her interests them
selves are too strcng it not for the other nu-
Werous ties which band the whole of II together
Kentucky, In one sense, will unite ii is true with
the North, with an indssouble grasp, never, never
To be sundered while, On the other hand, occupy
Ing the central position she does, she will unite,
with an equal tenacity of grasp when she can take
hold of the hand of her Southern brethren
| "Mr President regret 10 say-for concur en- &.
lrely with the Senator from Connecticut upon this
| subject, that this Union was never stronger than
II is now the great interests are perhaps stronger
now than they have ever been before besides oh .
the generation thus instrumental in dissolving this
union will occupy the darkest page in the history of
future generationsl confess that often regret to
hear even an ntmation of any thing like dissolu-
lion OF the Union the floor of the Senate of this
country. Al IA time like this, when the thrones are
lettering and falling from beneath the monarchs of
the whole clvlllsed wurld-at moment when they
are looking TO this conederacy as The bright re-
splendent polar star OF human liberty, and The dif-
ferent nations OF Europe are endcavOring 10 shape
their governments so as 10 initiate our own--let il
not go forth to Europe, to any part of the civ
Ilized race of mankind. that this union is in any
danger In danger! Wherefore in danger? Be
cause we Will print or we will not print such res
oletlon as that upon your table?
''But Mr.. President, it is too late, and did moi
rise to detain you and but for the fact that hap
pcied ct present TO occupy peculiar position in
this country. should not have uttered word.
Dsunion of all the periods ia the history of this
country. this is the last that ought 10 be talked of
for such thing. Why was such thought enter
tanned! Let our motto ever DO union now and u
mon forever. confess that have felt some appre-
henslon when saw so much territory about To be
added TO this Union. | thought there might be
danger then; that we stretching out our arms
too far beyond the proper reach; but when we take
into consideration that at the very same time we are
doing this thing, the world is in such state of pro-
gresS as TO her tavel5 and transportation tina. the
most distant bounds thereby brought as il were
near together; when we take all these things into
consideration, we, think, need not fear the conse-
quenceS. At least, for one, matter what have
been my sentiments | think shall represent fairly
the condition of my State and the feeling of her peo
pie when say that she will be found among the
last 10 faer, and among the first endcavor to hold
the Union together, no matter where its limits NAV
eXtend.''
GEN. TtYLoR's CABINrT-Our re.Jera ,ro