The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-10

nation called for important for POLITICAL social and be-
neyolent purposes and am sincere in my desire TO OBJ
iMr RUsK here made a few remarks. which will ap
pear Tomorrow
the senator from New York Mr. SEWARD call for spe.
cia notice He proposes require this information. with
view to use il In Congress- OF course in reference 10
the condition OF this particular species OF population
Now, sir does the gentleman deem that he had right TO
eglslae upon the social condition OF slavery in the south
ern Siaiesl Does he wish il matter OF curosi-
or for purpose undertake 10 say 10 the gentleman
that with regard 70 longevity comfort physical powers.
the slave population are perhaps well OIL as any labor
ing people upon The earth 20 far as regards the ques
and if be will answer it, rather think | shall have
given him Roland for his Oliver Would he be
inquisitorial census.takers' Would he allow them
to ask every woman how many children she had had.
how many she had lost and other questions which may
cency and higher considerations induce me to forbear
mentioning Will he subject the black population TO an
;nquisition which il would be ndelcate 70 put % any
white woman in the United Statess No. SIR. ! ask him
again. il he would be willing to have the census-taker
go round in New York, and ask every woman how
many children she has had, and how many children she
has lost as it is proposed to ask slave Of the
southern States And, sir, gentlemen that regard all
colors alike TO make this distinctions Is one who is
tirey Indifferent color who has high appreca-
ton of a black woman OF white woman, who takes
such philosophical and such patriotic view OF it, that
his philanthropy would induce him 10 put all upon
Mi. UNDERWOOD obtained the floor, but gave way
Mr.. SEWARD The senator puts question and as
answer. should have no objection to the question he
suggests Sspg Fopoanded e every woman il New York
scheme that has been introduced here, and no more
responsible for il than any other gentleman OF the com
mtee. have not constructed il have said that il
the plan OF southern gentleman, communicated by
him 10 me- and approved OF il just now rise to state
the object he hadin view, and then the Senate dis
pose OF it Thatgenileman in his conversation with me-
hp hp hat III
had fewer children than certain other class, and he
believed that the children OF the backer darker class
onger-lived than those of the muatto the mixed
classes; and it for the purpose OF reaching that
physical or physiological fact, that he wanted the
inquiry made Now, sir, i was motives Of that sort
know, that out of this bill we were to get into
discussions upon the slavery question | never dreamed
he ~ ao0n y hsss
tables with view to illustrate The truth or ialsiy 81
the opinions upon that subject And really, If It
sea curiosity s to ascertain S he fact whether t bs 50 Of
not II il is not worth while to 60 into the inquiry for
the purpose Of reaching that fact 70 see what truth there
is about it, then give the whole OF up, although, If that
knowledge could be reached in this way. il would be
very gratifying to me to reach the truth of the matter
very accurately ascerianed Ii Is desirable norma
ton for the country, and the country wanted it SO much
should not send thousand marshas for the purpose
OF finding il out, send them to make scientific dscov
cries Besides with regard to this information, the
marshals are not upon oath, this information is totally
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. President. they are not to
make an investigation; they are merely TO report how
Mr. KING. MIR. President, had not the most
distant idea, when | made the proposition, that il
would lead to any discussion. took it for grant
ed that on the proposition not half dozen SEN
ators would have thought proper 10 engage in such
discussion. am, however, sir, perfectly aware, Of
the Object Of its being inserted, and the that
have influenced the gentleman who has just spoken,
well as other members OF the committee, in putting in
such provision. They suppose that il would lead to
species OF information that would enable them to deter
mine whether the real black coored race lived
the longest or would be the most prolific That il
matter exceedingly difficult to obtain in the mode pro-
posed hardly think that il could be obtained in that
black race were the longeved and their increase was
the greatest have question of this, Judging from
my own experience and observation. merely arose to
senator from Kentucky lMr UsDERwooDl and his asso-
cates, in bringing forward did not suppose anything
more was necessary than to say that was mPraccable.
in the first place, and would not be beneficial il
practicable; and therefore move to strike out that coll
umn | have nothing more 70 say upon It
MI ass In, NV, oasaeu y Win no
fact hope friends upon the other side will not sup
pose that any attempt which may be made retain this
provision arises from improper motives We have
such motives as have been attributed / think tina,
gentlemen perhaps sometimes will not say
cessary but they exceedingly sensitive to remarks
which cannot have been intended TO have the full bearing
which is attributed 10 them. That such purpose
that which has been alluded is intended in the report
ing oil this clause m this way IS obvious IL not
only from southern gentleman upon the committee but
was suggested 10 him by southern gentleman whose
attention has been directed TO this branch Of the subject
As has well been said, il this fact which be
taned il il only curious but practical one, the
knowledge OF which may be exceedingly serviresble;
and thai there may be truth in the supposton gathered
likewise in remarks Of my friend from Alabama, Mr.
KSG1 He has doubt seen the fact in the course Of
his own observations. The honorable senator from Ala
bama Mr. KrNG1 tells u.s. from his observation that
the black race is, in his Judgment ongerved and more
prolific than the intermediate coors. II dminishes as
they approach the white race, which seems TO indicate
that there may be original distinction between the
races; and il, they approximate the white, coming
power is lost, it certainly exceedingly interesting
physiological fact.
Mr. UNDERWOOD lin his seat) That il the theory
Mr. DAYTON, (con,inuing) That is the theory; but
you cannot ascertain Il with any degree Of accuracy
this way; because you put this thing into the hands OF
persons who inquire merely to the fact, and they get
the facts only IN approximate degree They cannot
ascertain whether the blood is oil fourth, fifth, six.
seventh eighth, tenth approximate II they APP
ceedIngly important. exceedingly interesting and know
Of nothing to be obtained in this matter OF census
statistics more interesting useful than this very
fact 10 winch the attention OF the committee has thus been
called Certainly Il is not with view OF any impuia-
ton of using II in any way against the institutions or
views OF the South In truth, do not know how II can
be used for any such purpose What possible can
be made OF it in that way such USE and can
be for no such purpose do not know how IL can be
msapplied The idea is, that they approximate The
whites in color. before they become white, pure Saxons
the powerdes out Well, sir ii they investigating
these facts and without increasing the expense % rod
Ernxs la1v