The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-12

abstract right OF the people of the District OF Columbia TO
settle this question They must eonhne themselves IN
this Hall to their own powers; if they found those pow
expressly limited, or limited by honest by lar M
plication, let them observe those limitations And II
gentlemen from the North wished TO hasten this ques-
on-if they wished TO hurry the abolition OF slavery
upon the people of Maryland before the people OF Mary
land aching with the people OF the District voluntarily
consented to such abolition, them in Gods name, If they
wished TO preserve the Union let them go 10 the proper
power, and get the authority to do II.
Now in tlns view, when he came to the question OF
the slave trade in this District he certainly would not
vote for direct act of Congress TO prohibit the slave
trade in the District of Columbia because that was tanta-
mount 10 abolshng slavery, Mark the distinction as
slaves prohibited to be brought from other States
into Maryland when Maryland made the cession OF her
portion OF the District, and that was the law OF The
District at the time of the cesson, he was willing to re-
cognise in Congress the police power to preserve TINS
municipal regulation. II the foreign slave uaie, the
selling slaves from this District into other States were
prohibited by the law OF Maryland Gas 1t was at the time
of the cession) what else had Congress TO do but TO
maintain the existing law
Now, this whole question could go to the Committee
the Judiciary, or to the Committee on the Distnc OF
Columbia, he cared not which. II was question when
could no longer be smothered in committees lie wanted
to to committee OF intelligence and patriotism,
(and he knew both of these committees to be OF maj
characte He desired the resolution 10 be reconsldered
and then be should to refer the subject TO one OF
these committees that they might inquire and ascertain
by what legal and constitutional means this slave trade
Ito speak OF it in that sense) could be prohbited and he
should cheerully vote for every law, Tor every egua
ton which looked to the maintenance of existing laws;
but he would not vote for any law or original,
which, emanating from Congresses should touch the sub
ect OF slavery outside of the express grants of the con-
sttution This be believed to be the most enlightened
sentiment of his State
MIR SMITH of Indiana said he desired say few words
in regard this although was not his object to EN-,
into discussion OF the general subject OF slavery oro
slavery the District of Columbia. he believed, II he
knew ANYTHING about the extent to which the slave
trade, he foreign slave trade as it had been ermed was
carried on in the District of Columbia that was great
gou, h. He ,trnanf in
most emphatic TERMS demanded remedy; and he was
willing any gentleman on this floor to adopt prop
remedy and comply with the demands oil the people
He did not desire to enter into that mode of legislation
which was sometimes adopted by some individuals for
what called the agitation OF the subject OF slavery
He did desire to agae this question OF slavery as an
abstract question, for the purpose OF building up poit
cal party and God forbid that the organization OF the
tca parties of this country should be compelled to
turn upon the agitation which might be given to subjects
of this character They had agi,aons OF this char
acter here, producing most balefu effects he desired if
they egsa,ed upon the subject that they should adopt
that sound, wise, juicious legislation which should con-
duce to practical results and remedy the evils which ex
listed.
He should vote for the reconsideration OF the vote by
which the resolution had been adopted; not that he was
DESTROYS to prevent any proper action OF this House to
prohibit the slave trade within this District but he should
DO desiring examination OF the question: and
an adoption OF such to peventthe evil to break
up the practice which said to prevail here OF making
this District mart for the traffic IN slaves He desired
to see resolution which should be temperate 10 its
character directed either TO tEe COmmiee on the Judi
ciary or on the District of Columbia who would be
pected to enter into dspassionae, wise, and patnotc
examination of this question He heard great many
opinions expressed in regard to what was the law:
he heard gentlemen of intelligence say that this traffic in
slaves in violation OF the laws now IN force within
this District He did not profess to know what were the
laws now operating here upon this question; and oi the
purpose of informing the House and the country upon
this subject, he desired that an examination should be
had by OF the committees OF the House. who should
report to them what were the laws which were in force,
wi nrC
which existed.
He desired to do this without prefacing the resolution
with preamble similar to that of tho resolution which
had been adopted by the House; and he believed al
though that resolution had received the sanction Of
majority OF the members of the House, that there
large an overwhelming majority here who desired TO
what alterations necessary TO be- made in the exist
ing laws without prefacing the resolution which in
structed the committee to make the inquiry with pre-
ambe of this character He would say in all sincerity
and honesty that he had no desire to name or excite
the people OF the South any than the people OF the
North, regard TO this question. Bot whatever might
be his opinions in regard TO tins institution, (and they
were known to every gentleman here; he had never,
any proper OCCASION attempted to conceal the opinions
which he entertained in regard to the subject OF slavey
he believed they had been in the habit OF acting upon the
principle which he believed was not denied by gen
tlenan this floor, that this institution, in the States
where it existed, was local institution. and that Con-
gress had no right TO interfere with it. Why the gentle
from Ohio Mr GIDDINGs] admitted every speech
which he made upon the SUBJECT that Congress had no
right to go into South Carolina Georgia, or any other
whole country concnred in this opinion If, then, they
had not the right to egslae in regard to slavery
listed within the States, why, he asked, should they
bring up resolution. prefaced with preamble which
calculated TO reflect upon the people of those States,
and hold them up to the odium of the country! He de-
sired practical legislation; and he did not believe that
practical legislation practical results were to be OBJ
aned by using the power of this House for the purpose
of inamng the public mind against the evil OF slavery
However great he might consider these evils TO be- aud
however much he might desire to the institution
pealed, destroyed, eradcated-st if he wished TO
press his opinions upon that son he would 60 among
his constiluents-among his own people-where he
any beneficial results could follow these attempts to in
flame the public mind upon abstract discussions here upon
questions which acknowledged not to be within
their control
Mr.. GlDDlNGS. wish to inquire Of the gentleman
whether he intends to tax or any other member with
using ilegmae improper arguments on this question
of slavery .al.a tftht
Mr. SMITH made no charges against the gentle
man.
Mr.. GtDDINGS. The gentleman referred TO the in
proper agitation of the subject this floor want TO
know distinctly of him, whether he intends to charge
with agitation here upon subjects over which we have
not supreme jurisdicton'
reference 10 the gentleman, except as saying that in
all his speeches the gentleman had admitted that Congress
had no right to interfere with slavery in the States
Mr.. GlDDlNGS. There is one other question which
desire to put to the gentleman Does he want to con
tnue and sustain the institution Of slavery in the District
of Columbia! ask for answer
MIR. SMITH. My opinions, as have stated be-
fore, are known to the House. and known TO my own
constituents And whenever the question with reference
10 the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia is
presented my action shall be found ready to act upon
it. can tell the gentleman, that shall not be disposed