The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-07
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
wEDsrsDAr, February 8, 1850.
5 SENATE.

Alter the presentation of petitions memorials,
and o. lew enc RESOLUTIONS I which lie over
Mr.. MANGUM presented the proceedings of a
public meeting held in Wilmington, North Carroll
na, called for the purpose OF considering the alarm
ing threatened encroachments to be made upon the
rights Of the southern people and southern States
Mr., M. stated that the proceedings were had by
public assemblage Of the people Of the town OF
Wilmington, composed of men of both political
parties, and OF men Of high standing and respecta-
bility, who loved and reyered the Union much as
any other in the country. The sentiments ex-
pressed in the series of resolutions adopted by that
meeting, he would take the occasion to say and to
impress ON the minds OF northern gentlemen, were
the sentiments of the whole people at the South,
without distinction Of party Heretofore this mat
ter had been agitated for party purposes and to
promote party ends; but now, every man at the
South was aroused TO the importance of action and
when the hour arrived it would be found that there
was no division, but all united for object which
was opposition to that measure, which they mean
| TO, can, and will resist
The measures proposed by the North, and which
It was declared should be carried out, were the
most unjust, ungenerous, insolent, and degrading
aggressions; and the North would find that the
whole South would be united to resist them He
had heard much talk about compromises, and about
making concessions, and giving compensation and
equivalents for concessions but it was all useless.
The South asked no concessions, the South
to give compensation and equivalents for the with
holding Of insulting, unjust, ignominious, and
constitutional aggressions. She would resist them.
The South has been, and is now, devoted to the
1 been
always devoted to the Union, and will continue to
DC so, If you cease your aggressive assaults upon
her devotion to the Union. The North holds the
destncs Of this Union in her own hands; let her
guard them and protect them from danger.
The South can go no farther. She is on the de-
fensve She has placed her foot on the line, and
there, by the help of God, she will remain. The
! notion which has been adopted at the North that,
after we have waged war upon our neighbors and
despoiled them OF their property and possessions,
that property and Possessions are to be appro-
only, and that the other fifteen are to be excluded
from any participation therein is, to say the least
impudcnt to the extreme. If this doctrine is to be
maintained, 1t will have important bearing upon
all future wars and upon all future acquisitions.
For one, ne was prepared to resist it now. He
would plant his foot firmly on the line of resist
ance and never yield to oneh half of the States OF
| ing to the whole Union.
He was not at liberty to speculate on the proba-
BILE results. of the adoption Of such measure He
would abide by the decision which his countrymen
would make upon the subject " hatever that de-
csion was, he was willing to place himself as one
ready to make any sacrifice that decision would
| require.
He moved the proceedings be read and printed
the motion to print to to the Committee Print
mi r HALE said ho would oh;.,. !, i. ,.,.,,;o,
OF the paper. When he first took his seat in the
senate ms constituents sent him petition ON the
1
he had presented TO the Senate. On that occasion,
the Senator from North Carolina objected to its re-
ception and the motion to receive was laid on the
table. The Senator said then that the Senate had
adopted most judicious mode of preserving peace
and harmony in the Senate, by refusing TO receive
| these petitions; and also said that he wondered
how any such a revolution could have taken place
IN any State, as to send such irebrand as he (Mr.
HALE) to the Senate. Since that time, all petitions
from the North the subject of slavery have been
objected TO, and the motion receive them has been
lad on the table. He wished now to have the same
course pursued relative to papers relating slavery
coming from south of Mason and Dixon's line, and
that all petitions and memorials relating TO slavery
coming from either side should have the fate.
She is on the defensive. He would thank the South
to point out single instance of aggression by the
North. The North had, from the formation Of the
| government, been making concessions, until the
| women and children at the North were now rebuk-
ing them for their pusillanimity. He moved to lay
| the motion to receive the paper the table, and
asked the yeas and nays.
| MIR. MANG UNI said, as to what had been said
| about the North, and so forth, he would take no
notice OF it. But the difference between the papers
presented, and which had never been received and
the one now before the Senate, was simply this
The northern petitions ask Congress 20 take that
action which one half the country think Congress
has no right to do; the proceedings presented by
him to-day ask Congress TO do nothing.
| The question being taken ON the motion it was
decided IN the negative, as follows
| YEAS-Messrs. Bradbury and Douglas-2
| NAfS-Messrs. Atchison, Badger, Baldwin, Bell,
Berrien, Borland, Bright, Cass, Chase, Clarke,
Clay, Clemens. Cooper, Corwin, Davis of Mass,
Dodge Of Wisconsin, Fetch, Foote, Greene, Hale,
Hamlin, Houston, Hunter, Jones, King Man
gum, Mason, Miller. Morton, Norris, Pearce,
Pratt, Phelps, Rusk, Sebastian, Seward, Smith,
Soule. spruance, Turney, Upham, Wales, Walker
| and Whitcomb-fs.
Mr.. MANG UNI moved to suspend the rules of
the Senate, 80 far to allow ladies 10 occupy the
obbies He felt sure the young and gallant body
Mr. FO0TE hoped the motion would prevail.
| The ladies were allowed 10 come in yesterday, and
bad partaken OF the rich intellectual banquet; the
he thought 1t bat sheer justice to admit them the
| enclosure.
The motion prevailed. and in few minutes every
part OF the lobby was filed by the ladies.
THE COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS, (sLAvERy,)
MIR. CLAY said that If any person came there
with any expectation Of hearing him make any dis
play, they would be greatly disappointed; his own
nealh, ,ne season OF the year. as well as the season
Of his own life, all admonshed him to say only so
much as was necessary to the explanation and sup
| port of the measure under consideration
| The fourth resolution was under his considcra-
/ uon, when he closed yesterday. After a further
brief explanation Of IT, he proceeded 10 the consid-
| Grafton Of the fifth resolution
This resolution was that il IL inexpedient TO abol-
ish slavery in the District Of Columbia whilst that
the consent Of that State without the consent of the
people OF tho District, and without Just compensa-
ton 10 the owners Of slaves within the District.
| An objection made on the occasion of the
presentation Of the resolutions, by Senator the
| recognition by this resolution Of power in Con-
| gross to abolish slavery in this District. lie had
never doubted this power TO exist in Congress. lie
did not believe that any one could doubt that pow
| or who would calmly examine into the subject.
| The Constitution declares Congress shall have
power "to exercise exclusive Legislation in all
whatsoever over such district may, BY ccsson of
particular States and the acceptance OF Congress,
become the seat Of the Government of the United
States" What language can be conceived more
comprehensive than the words 4" exercise exclusive
Legislation in all cases whatsoever Suppose sla-
very was abolished in Maryland and Virginia, and
in all the other States Of this Union, then would
there be any power 10 abolish IL here II so, where
would that power be- Or was slavery TO abide in
this District for all ctcrnityl Maryland had no
power over this District. The other slaveholding
powers had no such authority. Then the power
must be in Congress. He had expressed similar
views In 1888 on this subject. In 1895 he thought