The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-21
In CONGRESS OF THE u. STATES,


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
FRInAy. April IL, 1850.
Mr., CLEvELAND. OF Connecticut, having obtained
the floor, addressed the commiitee as follows
Mr. CHAIRMAN: AT this late period Of most excited
and exciting debate have obtained the floor md being
BY rule Of this Honse--of which confess myself un-
able 10 comprehend the propriey 10 single
hour desire a, the outset TO remark that cannot con
sent be deprived OF moment OF thai une as have
necessarily much TO say upon a subject which has and
is still agating the public mind s
Why, sir, is i that we have already been here more
than four months at an expense TO the nation OF aboa.
million OF dollars without so much even, as CONT
mencng the necessary legislation for which were sent
Why that much Of time and treasure has been
aoasied? These are questions asked by the thinking and
right minded men OF this country, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. .
ssng upon the OF the ordinance Of l7s7 to our
newy-acqured territory, where the institution OF slavery
does not exist or thai they attempting to ingait new
principle upon the consiit,,on and that determined
ssance the part OF the other to this act forms good
ground Of justification for our long delay think not
That principle older than The constitution itself and
has been quietly acqulesced in down 10 the
Of the late President Polk and by him approved What
is il, then! Simply struggle for sectional political
power and that power based upon human chat e sla-
very MrGBge this, TO the trends OF human freedom
throughout the world; yet il more strange than true
Yes. SIR the middle Of the nineteenh century, in the
United States of Amerca-the land of Washington. War.
rem Jefferson, and their comprehensive land that was
so freely wateed by The blood OF the soldiers OF the revo
luti0nin this land, where, upon any portion OF our
sons should find and happy refuge, the great
question of the fay is, Shall slavery or freedom be the
controlling element OF our government! And this qnes
ton is mooted not only IN Congress- out out OF ~ absorb
ing all Others regardless o all consequences and refus-
ing be controlled by that potent power, party
o uIl fity wears The Shareholders influence has been
the controlling power in this proesseoy free govern
ment And yet, notwithstanding all the advantages de-
rived from this long and almost undsputed sway such
are its blighting efecssuch the curse which il entails
upon the soil where 1t existssuch the parlyzng nfiu'
exered upon the energies OF those who uphold or
live by it. that it finds itself distanced in the race Tor
wealth and power, (where power is to depend upon
numbers,) and in its dying struggles to retain the
truncheon OF command il has SO long welded II boldly
comes forward and demands that the free territory
Of this republic shall be given up for the ayowed purpose
Of pepetnatng human bondage and claims that the con-
stuon shall be amended for the sole purpose OF allow
ing this institutions which Tears not God nor regards the
rights of CONTROL through all coming tme gov
ernment which extends from ocean to ocean, and may
yet. believe, hope find no limit on this continent
between the poles but the ceTeared barriers which ma
ture's God has seta government originally established
for the purpose Of protecting man IN his God gwen tights
o lie liberty snd Inc no q b;sp ns The s.ae
made UPS now TO be tred and we are the Jurors !!
Allow ask sir whether any OF us here realize our
position, and the consequences OF our several vedlcs
which we are TO render by our acsi Are we aware
that the friends OF human Liberty now iaer they sur
render the blasting curse OF slavery millions OF acres
of free soplace beyond the hope OF escape redemp-
ton millions OF human beings whose hearts can beat for
freedom, and whose flesh feel the ortures of the
tyrans lash well ours Shall we give our verdict
against freedomi Humanity answers, No! Oar coun-
trymen, BY whose authority here, answer, No
Our whisper 10 the MINDS ear, No And, II
we do this damnng deed what traitor who ever sold hs
country her hopes and liberty for revenge for gold,
Office, whose sin would mol uhiten by comparison with
oursi Let no man deceive himself IN this maiter-hs
vote upon this subject VIII i've the lie 2. th.s republic
OF honor or shame
As one OF The soldiers in this battle protest against
base surrender of the rights Of freedom do it, for
NV nnstifu ia m L.
lions Of human beings who have interest in the ex-
tension OF slavery and for three millions OF beings fash
ioned in the image OF their Creator, who are held in
cruel crushing bondage! This, sir il contest between
$1,000 900 OF free people and 100000 of slaves the
sde and less than 900 shareholders on the other
for will venture the assertion that there in this
Union 1000 persons holding property in slaves The
manner in which these latter have exercised controlling
influence in the government hitherto you are familiar
with The process by which they now propose TO ingrafi
this feature Of their design. OF obtaining free territory
for the OF Shareholders, upon the policy o our gov
ernment propose to give the history OF IN the briefest
This claim Of the slave States had been asserted the
people OF the free States had made decision in the
mater-had expressed their opinion IN manner not TO be
mistaken or misunderstood and had elected large
ory OF the members Of this House, believing them to be
hostile the further extension of slavery under any
text whaiess Nearly every Tree 5 Stale ~ ns a, o1oa pad
ity in their respective egIslauresand all against the
further extension OF slavery, Under these circumstances
the members Of this House met last December parties
from the North divided as usual Toe South, while pro
Tossing TO entertain different political sentiments upon
other subjects united upon this, and IN The orSanlzaon
oil this House and especially IN the elecion OF an oncei
exercising controlling influence, insisting that they
would not vote for Who was not knopn 70 favor
their views Their record must be right, they termed
it; which meant that they must have voted, when IN
Congress previously against liberty and IN tavor of ala.
very; and with the contest winch followed the country
is well acquainted During the voting, the most violent
language usei, and threats against the Union freely
nduged in AT last in irregular manner, the friends
OF slavery extension riumphed, and they found them
selves nearly uncontrolled power in this House The
might OF party fear, party pe and party discipline, tr-
umphed duty aud this strong outpost was surren-
dered 10 the slave power--the presiding officer was
elected
0ne might reasonably have supposed. sir. that this
would have satished but did NOT and By an abandon
ment y enough 10 accomplish the end OF that party ds-
cpne 6y which they had secured the election OF their
first officer they obtained Clerk from the slave States
also. The power and patronage were now secured. and
for fear Of alarming their friends IN the North roo MUCH,
they kindly consented that the Sergeant at Arms an o
without influence patronage should be iaken iron
afrse Stale After this magnanImous concession was
made, another gentleman from dfree State received
sufficient number OF votes elect h,m Doofkeeper
but before the vote declared II was asceaned that
he opposed 10 the extension OF slavery, when sui
fcen, changed their votes and defeated his cleo
ton and. iron that time the present, we have been
unable 70 elect either Doorkeeper or POSTMASTER Yet
auring all his period. held IN when ultra
southern gentlemen participated 10. forward their views
while IN the House u was openly proclaimed BY them
that this question OF slavery extension rose above ell par
~ considerations, and their actions were indicative oi
their sincerity.
After a partial organization aud the appointment oi
Committees in whose hands the interests OF
considerrd safe. colnmenced noi rs,0n.