The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-15
THE MON.

Mr.. ASHMUN wished TO know whether Mi. HOWELL
CoBs OF Georgia had not voted for the Oregon bill en-
bracing the Wimot Provisc'
Mr.. JOHNSON remarked that that was horse OF an
other color: There was great distinction between
all above the line OF 800 500 and voting for and sus-
tanning the abstract proposition itself.
Mr. WINTHROP would ask the honorable gentleman
from Tennessee whether, he seemed TO justify the gem
tlenan from Georgia Mr.. CoBBl in voting for the bhl
with the Proviso in it, because the territory lay north oil
$50 3O he ought not in all fairness, to extend the same
Mr. Johnson drew distinction between the two
cases He understood the design OF gentlemen on the
other side TO draw him from the main point but he would
not be drawn from it, His distinction between the Two
this, The gentleman from Massachusetts had
introduced the abstract principle of the Proyiso The
people of Oregon petihoned for a government, and MT
CoBB and other southern gentlemen, voted Tor the Dill
MT. StHENCK was understood to inquire OF the hon
orabe gentleman from Tennessee whether, il an amend
ment offered to bill be mere abstraction, it did not be-
come practical matter when incorporated IN the
bill for 6na! action' He considered that il did;
Mr., JOHNSON repeated what he had said before IN
regard to the difference between the two cases. he
thought that difference was very material The gentle
from Massachusetts falls back on the line OF 80 deg
80 min In order TO test his tM We opinions On TINS
stand by the line OF SO deg 80 mn as lar and just ad
ustment of this questions The silence Of the gentle
man speaks very forcibe reply. Southern gentlemen
did great wrong to themselves when they voted, TWO
years ago, for the gentleman from Massachusetts, as
Speaker Of this House He would say SO particularly
with regard to the member from South Carolina, Mr.
HOLMES who had been lodging around the hall en-
deavoring the election of Wmo Proviso man.
Mr., HOLMES remarked that he would tell the gentle
from Tennessee that he was perfectly satisfied with
what he had done, when, by his vote two years ago.
gentleman OF dignity and OF mparliay-in other words,
gentleman placed in the chair. He had no mis-
gvings, and did not repent what he then did. Zap
pause from the wing side OF the chamber,] >.~.
Mr., JOHNSON remarked that he knew that the gen.
teman from South Carolina, though man OF great tai
ents was an erratc genius He had therefore been al
laN al he latit he
That gentleman had often tried to break his Javelin over
his (Mr Js) head This not the first lime he had
done the same thing 49,.
He was glad there was something left about him green
enough and tender enough Tor geese TO pick at
He desired TO say few words also, upon the slavery
question. The whole number OF slaves in the southern
States was 100000, valued at $l,2Oo,OOo,ooo The
product of their labor in cotton, tobacco, and rice only
amounts annually TO nearly $72,oOoo oo making more
than half our exports in the last fiscal year.
Now it is objected that in apportionng the representa-
ton among the several States hreeiths OF the saves
included in the basis, thus increasing the slave
not complain Of this Were they freemen, and July rep-
resented, the South would have twelve members more
than she has present The objection that slave labor
comes in competition with white labor is greater absur
dy than the other, the laws OF nature preclude the
latter from cuivatng hot cotton fields and low marsby
grounds adapted the cultivation OF rice White labor,
instead OF being nerfered with by this description OF la
bo producing cotton, rice and tobacco is raising mules
horses flour, bacon, pork &c. Tor southern consumption
He conceived the capital invested in slave labor in this
country to powerful auxiliary on the side oil
prices for labor Southern capital is labor The more
labor brings. the the South prospers Britain OPP
poses American slavery because commands powerful
influences the side OF high prices Tor labor Ii she
could convert the immense American capital invested in
slaves into money bank stock II, with all It's influences,
would take sides against labor, Strengthening the hands
OF moneyed and other arisocraces Very recently there
had been serious anti-savey movements Than at
any previous time. The manner OF the appointments OF
the committees by the last Speaker was one OF these
movements (Mr j was understood 10 say.) The cleo.
fion NJ sant Pres wi
liiion sympalhes, and the endorsement which that
gentleman had received from the pen OF the present Ex-
eculye, had greatly strengthened abolition influences;
Here Mr.. j. specified the various propositions intro
duced and acted by Congress at its last session with
reference TO the adjustment of slavery in the District Of
Columbia Though the South had made herself party,
as were this her rights BY her course in the
election OF the last Speaker and the present President
to Of her duty The people Of all the southern
States except North Carolina appeared 10 be aroused on
Mr. SLINGMAN, rising, said he wished to make an
inquiry OF the gentleman iron Tennessee, Mr. JOHNSON,
as 10 whether he understood him correctly in saying that
North Carolina was slumbeIiDg long.
Mr.. JOHNSON dsclamed any dlsrespect TO the State,
but that she not so forward as some OF the
States, &c.
Mr.. CLINGMAN said that many persons thought
North Carolina asleep merely because she not al.
ways taking that when talking only 10 be done, she
LETT TO others; but when the time for action arrived no
State before her AS the news of the battle
oil Lexington arrived, or witnn lew days neeateI Tue
people oil North Carolina met together in Mecklenbug
and in number OF the other counties, and at once for
may dissolved the bands which had connected them
with Great Britain, and established government Tor
themselves III there should be necessity Tor action Ia
protect the rights and liberties OF the South, no State
would be more forward than she in any proper action.
Mr. c. further said that this being the rst occasion
on which he had been before the House IN any way
prevent misconcepon TO his views, he thought proper
TO say that though his in voting for Speaker
different from that OF the gentlemen from Georgia re-
ered to- yet he approved the Of remark IN which
they had INDUCED yesterday. The sentiments generally
expressed by Mr.. TooMBs met his cordial APPRECIATION
and he had repeatedly said that the speech OF that gentle
OF the ablest most forcible, and eloquent he
had ever heard, evident from the profound and
excited sensation IL produced over the House In his
general views, well as those OF his colleague Mr.
STEPHEssl and OF the gentleman from Alabama Mr.
HmLIARD1 he fully concurred But he thought that Tho
southern members, being in the minority, ought rather
allow the House to be organized as formerly, and wal
the course OF events IL improper measures should bt
brought forward then would be the time TO make dem
onsration against them in the most effective manner
While he hoped that such necessity would arise
he had no doubt but that il would be met in the prope
manner by the South.
AS to Mr. Winthrop, he differed entirely in opinion
with the gentleman from Tennessee, regarding that gen
eman eminenty qualified for the station OF Speaker
he having presided the last House with great abil
ity and dignity. His personal preference would lead HIN
TO vote for Mr.. WINTHROP independently OF other con
sdeatons This statement he thoughtit fit TO make, les
should be supposed that differences in casting votes 10
Speaker implied difference Of opinion with regard to thu
rights and duty OF the South.
| Mr.. WOODWARD. Will the gentleman from Ten
nessee allow me TO make observation The gentle
man from North Carolina [Mr. CLIsGMASl has allude,
to an historical event which longer be questioned