The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-24

right they should be gratifed
Barnburner!" And what did go to New York for
last summer but 10 my utmost exerons to prevent
Mr. Van Buren, and his friends from engaging in the But
tao Convention? | went there; thai is certain. My
wspapes IN the interest OF those called barnburners,
all assaIled for doing not with bingsgaie and as
backguards but with keen reproaches Tor coming out OF
my State, contrary TO the practice of my life interfere
in the politics of another State and that against those
who had always been my friends. My answer was that
came to the privilege OF an old friend; give my
opinion that the separate organization contemplated was
wrong in principle, and would be injurious those en-
gagged in it and, what injurious TO the great
party TO which they belonged Such the object
OF my visit TO New York, and such my reception.
The event disappointed my hopes and expectations
and had my trouble for my pains, and good deal
OF newspaper condemnation into the bargain All tins
was public and notorious, published in all the news
papers, and known to everybody There is not man
In Missouri that does not know IT, And now what are
we to think OF the language applied to mel Why that
it is most excellent thing for 1t shows the char
acer OF the pers, and that they will nuy and falsely
pub Ih RECORDED cord history to Willy me ,,s,
poviso-the same that Mr. Jefferson drew up for the
Northwestern Territory in 17S4-whch was adopted IN
the Congress of the Confederation IN 1857, with the unan
mous voice of the slavehodiny Stateswas ratified by
the Virginia General Assembly the 30th OF December,
7SS-which applied by the Congress of 1920 to all
the upper half OF Louisanawhch was applied by the
Congress OF ls4s to the Oregon Territory was
recommended for the territories by the Missouri
General Assembly the 5th OF February lo47-and
attempted to be condemned until Friday. "a day Of
Omen,) the l9n OF lo4T,
the date OF the Missouri recommendations, when MIR
Calhoun brought in his resolutions declaring 1t unconst-
utional insulting to the States and subveslye OF the
Union. | think Mr. Jefferson, and not Davy WilmO
was the author OF this provso and that 1t should bear
his name, and not Davy's
With respect the character of the provso if it should
be prescribed by Congress for any territory think It
will remain just what has been for sixty years-a cons
utonal provision made in pursuance OF the constitution
and that being made is binding upon all law abiding
citizens and that its resistance by force and militia
v.
punishable by death under the laws OF the land With
respect 10 the expedency of the act there necessity
be passed California and New Mexico now free
from slavery, both by law and by fact and will forever
remain free from it, both by law and in fact. AS gen.
era propositions unnecessary laws ought not to be pass
but il It is passed. is an empty provision, having
practical effect whatever To make an issue against
it between North and South is unwse for it IS an
about nOthlng and, the part OF the South an
made for defeat; for Delaware has instructed tor IT,
and that nsures majority in the Senate for the provi
So there being already large majority In the House OF
Representatives instructed Tor It,
"My opinions" They are wanted. Heretofore the
public acts OF public men have stood for their opinions
! il has been only the men, unknown by their acts,
that have been subjected to political catechsm Thirty
years, almost have been the Senate and during that
this subject OF slavery; and commenced with it in my
own State. was politically born out OF slave agta,
lon-out of the Missouri restriction controversy, and
the present s day. My writings had some influence on The
formation of the constitution IN this State. They were
pretty well known then, though forgotten now. They
contributed to keep OIL RESTRICTION and to insert the
in the constitution for the sanction OF slavery urged
the putting it in the constitution, for the express purpose
OF giving security to property, and preventing agitation
wanted peace from the question at home. and contrib
uted provide for it by contributing TO put that clause
in the constitutions and now 1t is hard that we should
have agitation imported, or transported upon u.s. to
harass about slavery when have taken such care
to keep agitation My votes in Congress have been
consistent with my conduct at homenon interference,
agtaton-security to propery-and tranquility to the
people In thirty years have not given vote That mas
been complained of. have voted thirty years, avoiding
all extremes and giving satisfaction The old generation,
and the generation that has been born during that time
consider this far to let it stand the evil
dence of my opinions. But II will not do FINDING nothing
in the past condemn, people must go into uury,
to ii anything he found there, and even INTO my
BOSOM il anything is hid there. which can be con-
demned. Very good: they shall know my opinions And
first they may them in my public acisn my propo-
sails for the admission of Texas five years ago, IN which
proposed limit the extension of slavery by a
longitudinal line, believe the Tooth degree OF west
longitude; next in my votes upon the Oregon OIL, m
which opposed the introduction OF slavery there and
again in my letter to the people OF Oregon, IN which |
declare myself TO be propaganda OF slavery These
public acts But you want public declarations OF
personal sentiments; very good you shall have them
My personal sentme then, against the institution
OF slavery, and against its introduction into places IN
which it does not exist If there slavery in Mis-
souri, day. should oppose its coming II there was
none the United States, should oppose it's coming into
the United States; as there is none IN New Mexico or
California, am against senilng IL 10 tnOSe territories
and could not vote for such declaration
which but little, the whole dispute now being
about the abstract right of carrying slaves there, without
the of the right No asks for law for the
exercise of the right and cannot ask it in the face OF the
dogma which denies the power to grant it. States do as
they please. These are my principles; and they reduce
the difference between Mr. Calhoun and myself 10 the
difference between refusing and not asking And for this
the Union is to be subvered! Oh metaphysics politi-
cal metaphysics far better stick to the innocent bust
of amending the constitution by putting three States
: and river together!
If any one wishes to know still about my princi-
> Plies on slavery, will give him reference he may
aries, appendix to the second volumc where imbbed
them forty four years ago, when student at law and
have held fast TO them slnce-all but the remedy
and the difficulty Of that is OF the evils itself OF
slavery, and one of the arguments against one set OF
people putting upon another and distant set OF people
and especially while they lifting Their imporlng hands
= against it.
70 finish this personal exposition, have to say that
my profession and conducno unusual thing with trail
humany-do not agree. | was born to the inheritance
OF slaves. and have never been without them have
bought some but only their own entreaty, and "a
them from execution sales. have sold some, but
only for misconduct. have had two taken from me by
the abotionsts, and inquired after them and ibe
rated third, who would not go with them. have
slaves Kentucky who were elevated to the dignity
of real estate by being moved from Missouri to Kentucky
and will have to descend next fall to The low degree of
chatie interest in spite of the laws of Kentucky, when
shall remove them back to Missouri. And | have
slaves in Washington city-perhaps the only member Of
Congress that has any thereand am not the least afraid
that Congress will pass any law 10 affect this property
either there or here.
have made no slave speeches in Congress- and do moi
mean to make them. Property is tmid and slave prop
erty above all is not right to disturb the quetude
k.r.