The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-16
REMARKS Or mn. n. w. HlLLIAnD,
OF ALABAMA,
In THE HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,, DEC. IL, lS49
In regard 10 Slavery and the Union.

Mr.. billiard said The gentleman from Massa,
chusets Mr. ALLEN who has just resumed his seat al
fecs TO disregard the declarations which several gentle
men have made to-day in this hail. in relation to the
perious condition to which the government Is now
brought, the ground that they have spoken under the
sion with unbecoming eyiy, in kenng the rrepressibe
burst Of feeling which has more than once interrupted
the of this debate TO the contrved apr which
brought one OF Oliver Godsmths earliest plays into mo-
tce. calmer never addressed him than the one
who rises to speak upon this great topic which has
so Unexpectedly been brought up Tor discussion and
these States is In great peril II has been precptated into
this condition by utter oblivion on the part OF gen.
temen representing the non-slayeholding States, OF
the feeling and purpose OF the people OF the southern
portion OF this conederacy regard to the threatened
encroachments on their rights have never known
throughout the entire southern country settled and deep
feeling upon the subject to which have referedthe
attempt to exclude slavery from the territories OF the Uni
ted States--as now exists there. And soemnly de,
speaking from thorough acquaintance with that
people, people among whom was born and have been
brought upthat il this legislation is to be persisted in,
THIS UNION CANNOT STAND The gentleman Mr.. ALLEN
says that the Union s in danger that the gentlemen
who have announced its dangers could not even remove
one OF the marble columns which support this hall; yet
would remind him that the hand OF child may fling
torch into temple which will reduce the magnificent
combustble materials against the lofty columns OF this
Union, which the hand Of child may at any time lire
i time for every true friend Of the Union 70 speak out
the sentiments OF the southern people
what e dse to ohers from what feel 10 Be due to my
others to use towards myself address gentlemen who
act under the promptgs of patriotic sentiments at this
solemn coniuncture In speaking for the people, who
have once more honored nae with their confidence in
sending here represent them, feel it TO be my duty
TO say, that while they cherish profound attachment 70
the Union they will never submit to any legislation which
places their State in an inferior relation 70 the other
tate when the choice comes to be made between danger
and dshonor They would regard dissolution OF the
Union as calamity calamity too great to be estimated
deprves them OF their rights and degrades them as
still greater calamity For my part, have never
admired phrase which has become somewhat current,
that shall be compelled to calculate the value OF the
Union"
The value OF the Union which binds these States TO-
gether is ncalcuabe its priceless value dehes all The
ordinary methods of computation; il is consecrated BY
battles, and rumphs and glores, which belong 10 the
past; it embraces people OF kindred blood scattered
throughout these States speaking the same language and
holding the religious faith it secures to US innu
merable blessings it looks forward TO future still more
prosperous and more glorious than the past But though
all this be may be destroyed and will be- unless The
measures which some gentlemen in this hall seem SO
Tesonte to press at once arrested brave, gener
ous high spirited people, who comprehend their rights
and who know how important it is for free States to
sis the first encroachmen Of tyranny in whatever shape
il may come, will under the pressure OF great necessity
break of an alliance which employs the machinery Of
cast up its value The Union is Of consent
not Of force When the soul of the Union is fed
how il longer survivel When the fraterna afec-
ton which holds together in willing association is de-
stroyed what girde can be thrown around these States
strong enough TO bind hem II is OF avail that you
point TO future OF convulson and blood which lies be-
yond the hour OF separation. Anything is to be pre-
ferred ignomnious submission to yranny-tyranny
which revels in the mere wanonness OF its strength
Men resign life rather than submit to that which Tobs
life OF its value appeal to the friends OF the Union
may well avow myself to be one Of them In the can.
yass through which passed last summer bore in my
hand that banner which the gentleman man from Virginia
which all so much moved at the last session.
bore that great banner in triumph spoke for the Union
urged upon the generous people VINO gathered about
TO the forms oil the government for protection until we
found them insufficient barriers vindcated the people
c.r .ee ,ba was NV belief Il. unjust legislation o
gard TO the government OF the territories Of the United
States which had been threatened, and against which
y 50 n Yna
forbearance and soemny declare 10 you, that IL rests
with you to the government from the Pens which
nS this great The people o hsse States the
civilized world, and the God OF the Universe, will hold
you responsible for the consequences IL is in your power
ment from the dangers upon which Is driving; and you
can do II without single sacrifice. The Wimo Provi-
as it styled by those who claim to represe mt that
measure this foor-the Wimot Proviso which seeks
to exclude the citizens of the savehoding States from
California and New Mexico-has not a single principle
10 recommend IT, IL rests neither upon generosity nor
justice, nor constitutional law; and il asserts doctrine
which would be tolerated for single moment. ap
piled to the ordinary transactions OF life, in any part Of
the civilized world 800
Mr.. SCHENCK here interposed, to give his views OF
the Wlmot Provso discaimng that for it, and
serng that the ordinance OF 1887 which was in
tended TO be applied 10 the Territories oil the United States
Mr.. billiard resumed his remarks and said, what
Virginia generously gave subjected 10 the ordnan
of17s7 shall not now stop 10 speak oil that ordinance
its authority questioned by some of the abest men Of
that day, but let pass The attempt TO settle the VII
vain effort The Wilmot Proviso is selfish schene,
which proposes 10 seize upon and appropriate the entire
territory acquired from Mexico by the common exeron,
and common treasure, and, what Is more, the common
blood OF the people OF this whole county, for the benefit
Of the on-ssvehoding portion OF this confederacy The
people OF the southern States, who bore their full share
OF the cost OF the war; whether you regard the outlay
man life are TO be denied any participation in the
fruits OF the victory Can you expect them TO bear il
Would you not despise them II they did You admit
that there already exists nsuperabe barer against
the introduction OF slavery into those Territories, and yet
You insist upon excluding IT, BY bringing the authority Of
this governments government which ought TO protect
the rights OF all its citizens alikeo provide for its ex
course gentlemen. you must take the responsibility Of
all the consequences which grow OF IT, gentleman
from North Carolina, now before me- tMr. CLfNeMAN1
one OF the most conservative who occupies seat on
this hoo has clearly stated, in his recent letter. the set
tied purpose OF the whole southern people in regard TO
this measure, and he added, that people had been
known 10 prosper long after submitting unjust and
tend furnish another illustration Of that great political
truth Spare us. gentlemen, the necessity of choosing