The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-04-07
SPEECH
Mr.. Evans, Of Maryland,

MR.. Evans, OF MARY land,
On The Bill 10 proride Territorial Government
for California: Delivered in The House Of Repre-
ssniatives Of the United States, FEB 20, ls49
(Concuded)
Mr.. Chairman, have dwell sufficiently
long upon this first great national difficulty;
my waning hour admonishes me TO pass 10
other subjects which I wish 10 consider be
fore close these remarks. have en-
deavored to point out way of healing
those Discussions which seem 10 endanger
the permarence of the Union itself. I
have believed that the substitute offered by
the gentleman from Virginia would effect
tina, object, or, failing that, have believed
that my own substitute, by giving time for
reflection and better feeling; by removing
for lime a. least The preseu, causes of dis
cord; and, above all, by securing to the
people of these new Territories protection
and some sort Of yovernm ent. would give
such perm arence to the ir affairs and slim
ulus to ,heir growth, that perhaps before
the expiration Of The act they would be en-
apled 10 organize government of their
own, and apply here for admission 10 the
Union.
This provision OF a Cover nment for the
acquired territory is our first great difficult
ty; It is one of the most dangerous aspect
one which has alieady, in great degree
disturbed the peace and harmony of our
Union. 10 which di.cold is ain oSt the same
ms distinction. Sir it is one of that p!en-
tifnl harvest of evils which has sprung out
If the admission ol'TeXas into TIN. Union
evils Of which we have scarcely yet Sc en-
the heoinin", but which have already sig
naly displayed themselves in national dis
cord, confusion, aud dsmay. In what an
aspect 4" We present ourselves 10 the view
ofihe whole civilized world?
The friends of self government; we de-
nv to The people of IA distant province thai
ineslimuble ese-the descendants of
those who encountered danger. difficulty,
and death ITSELF rather than submit to taxa
ton without Representa- ion, ye, we do not
.cruple impose such taxation upon dist
ami and as YET feeble people! The greedy
seekers after Territory Which we own our
inability 10 govern, when we have acguir-
ed il!
Gentlemen accuse US, too, OF hIn2ering
the settlement of this question, and say
that we oppose The twelfth section OF the
Territorial bill, containing The Wlmol pro-
viso, because the desire 10 extend slavery
into the Territories. Sir, the charge is un
founded. have no desire 10 extend slave
~ there. believe that my colleagues
have no such desire; tina, The State of Ma
ryland has none; but that State does desire
to s,ard an equal in this Confederacy and
not dependent; and voting as l always
have against that ptoviso, The reasons al
ready given by me are sufficient i'll had no
other. and those are, that perceive in !,
the germ which will grow into such dis
cord and ill-feeIne as may lead 10 the dis
union Of this Conlederacy.
pass now sir, 10 another ques!ion-an
other of the causes of dissension among us
"a question in which the people Of my
State feel a great and not unnatural inter
est, and that is, the subject of slavery in
this District, which has occupied SO much
time here late.
lrememher very well, that when the res
oluion OF The gentleman from New York
-(Mr. CORY was offered in this body, and | [
claimed the right Of the Stale of Maryland
10 be heard upon it desiring that my col
league, who is now seated in front Of me,
(Mr. McLANE,) might speak upon the sub
ject--lhe gentleman from Virginia (Mr.
GIpDlNGs) remarked that Ohio, too, wished
10 be heard. There was more, sir. in the
manner than the matter of the observations:
butt, was intended 10 convey the idea thai
Maryland is not more interested in he ones
ton Of the abolition of slavery here THAI
Ohio. 1t is not true, SIT, tina Ohio has the
same interes, in this subject lhati the people
ofMarylanl have. 1t is vital to our inter
ests;.h is indifferent 10 theirs. With us it
is practical question of the highest import
with them il is al most a speculative alb
! slraclion. With us ifmay be question of
life or death, with them i, is bu, a means
ofpolIcal agitation aud political profit.
But, sir, The exquisite and refined sensi-
biles Of The gentleman from Ohio have
been, as he informs us. shocked by the
sight of the manaced slave from the win
dows of this Capitol. 1t is somewhat re-
narkabe that that view has not crossed the
eyes OF any Other member of this body; but
j can tell thai member that, of which per-
haps he is ignorant: for many crimes siaues
are not punished as the white man is by con-