The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-07

continue the strife, by attacking al other points, the I'M
certainty which now hangs over the fortunes oil the
South will be dispeed and the people would have the
option OF deciding their own destiny without TURNER DE-
lay They could either make up their minds 20 sIom
In quiet and with becoming grace, 10 whatever me worm
may decree o. TO take steps for successful iessnce
sir, II were proposed now 10 eradicate slavery rom
the District, and at the time provide proper secu
rites for the removal or effective control OF the Tree
colored population, not prepared 10 say that tue
South ought 70 resist me % msb, Sep arn
posed repeat that for myself should be reloced,
The OF slave State II this question could
be now settled. The senator from OHIO MI CHAsEl
has notified us that are much mistaken If we sup
pose that the bill tor the suppression OF the slave
trade is the last which we may expec! on the subject
North propose to go upon this subject brought 10 pae
teal test al once, the excitement of the times admitted
South. want The State which have the honor 10 rep
resent in partl want the whole South to know what is
the furthes limit to which the North intend press the
anti slavery policy, and whether they OF the South may
expect repose from these agilaions. But know,
sir that is not proposed TO abolish slavery the Dis
ct now and therefore orbear to remark further upon
With regard to the proposition to suppress the slave
trade 10 the District already stated had made mp my
mind that ought 70 be done on several grounds IN the
first place. is known that the slave trade incident OF
the unresaned right OF property in slaves is the most
offensive feature Of the institution Il is regarded in
the South as we'll as in the North. Southern gentlemen
have their sensibliiies upon this subject as well as
northern gentlemen They know, indeed that il cannot
be altogether prohibited in the States, but perhaps it
popular sensibes. And | believe that, bat for this
banefu and mischievous agitation at The Morrill, not only
have been subjected TO limitations making the exercise
Of the right less repugnan to feelings in the
South, but that many other and still greater ameora
tons in the condition OF the slave would have been
effected long since by State legislation believe that
gradual and progressive ameloaton in the condition Of
the slaves Of the South such took place in
Of Roman civilization in softening the rgors OF The
vile population would before now have marked the legis
laon Of the southern States upon this subject but for
the ofhcious Intervention OF northern fanaticism. al
Jude to such amelioations forbid the separation OF
families the separation OF husband and wife, parent and
child, either BY the voluntary act Of the master BY
judicial process-he right Of the slave, under certain
circumstances and with proper limitations, to choose
new master. and 70 pass 70 him at an appraised value
verify believe that these improvements in the condition
of the slave would have been effected or in progress
years ago in many ii not in all the slave States, but for this
l-judged agitation at the North The consequence of
amelioratons. we have been compelled 10 impose new
restraints upon the saveto rvet more strongly the
chains which bind him. Were member Of the legis-
aure OF my own State at this period and under the pres
ent excited state OF public feeling, would dare to
propose any relaxation OF existing restraints, or any
ameoration Of the general condition of The slave But
sir were member OF q town city council, think
should not hesitate to give my voice for the suppression
OF these slave depots or SLAVE pens they called
them, at least from public view; nor would | suppose
that was thereby inllcng any wound upon the ins-
tuition OF slavery S, even such proceeding as this
in these distracted times might be misunderstood and
would think it expedient pass this bill in any shape
at this time, but for the conDexion in which il is found
with other measures, particularly with the fugitive
bill Il in this connexion, and in the hope thai all the
questions relating TO this subject which had long dis
tracted the public mind, might be tremendously adjusted
ported from the committee.
There very fair and reasonable considerations
which should dispose the South liberal course this
question OF the slave trade in The District This is the
seat Of the national government The gentlemen OF the
North are compelled TO meet here, at this common and
central point OF legislation II is matter of choice
Them whether n q mi al Conc
or upon business connected with the government They
must come. renounce the benefits OF national gov
eminent They complimentary appeal 10 us they say
that this traffic is offensive to them and whether they see
any OF the more revolving exhibitions connected with this
iafhc or not they are compelled to hear Of them. The
IN these sare pens, within the verge of the capital,
wounds their sensibies. | have been in the habit OF
spending part OF my time in this District annually during
period OF nearly twenty years, and must say that have
never slave in chains but upon one OCCASION and
that was told was purposely and michievously
Iived As for slave pens know nothing of them and
suppose they are nothing more nor than private
houses in which traders their slaves against
cape until they are transferable southern market But
whatever may be the nature extent OF this traffic the
District, our northern brethren call upon prohibit it.
They inform us that there are thousands at The North
who have tender consciencts upon this point Remove
this stumbling block OF their way, and one OF the
chief grounds Of agitation they aver, will be removed
And now that, in Difference to the sensibtes of our
northern friends, we agree to that, want TO ask my
friend from Ohio another question | said that wanted
to with him little this subject Here are ten or
Columbia, and the slave population suppose amounts
from twelve 10 fifteen hundred This small slave popu
laon are in the midst OF this larger class OF free people
OF color, many OF whom have little else 10 do-or they
will not abor-than 10 duse discomfort among the slave
class Besides they must lve but how they live no one
can certainly tell few OF them make living by light
service, as house servants; but the OF them derive
subsistence in form other from the substance of
the more industrious portion OF the community This
evil has increased to alarming extent in the last few
years. and since the rerocesson OF Alexandria 10 Vr-
gina Slave property in the District is only greatly
diminished IN value by this large accession of free people
Of color, but its security is diminished in stiI greater
degree Does not my friend that under the circum
laon for the protection OF this kind of property in the
District And why not make suitable provisions with
that object, in this billi
Mr. EWING. Why, my objection is mainly on the
ground that to attempt to amend the bill in this way
would necessarily result its defeat and for that
would vote against the proposition to amend IT,
MT BELL. But II this bill would do so much good al
the North, the hand and 10 pass il in lie naked
form, as II now stands would do so much harm al the
SOUTH as apprehended by some, would IL be worth
while TO make an effort 10 satisfy both sections. il
should take us the whole day a week do III This
subject has come somewhat suddenly upon members-I
mean 10 the statistics connected with IT, | have
known but little heretofore about the number OF colored
persons In the Disctnothng further than the fact thai,
there great many very vicious and lcenous free
persons OF color here. Some OF them, admit or.
Derby and honest and make faithful house servants and
personal attendants, but the larger portion Of them
worthless and mscbievous llers This is great and
growing evil, and one which is likely become formi.
dabe and most difficult 10 manage IL will not he
fined to this Dsiric will extend to the whole country