Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06
SPEECH OF Mr.. BRECK,
OF KENTUCKY,
o., the Presidents California Message.
esrxr.rIYrs. MARCH e5. 1850,


The important questions which have recently occasioned
&C much agitation and in the public mind have been
50 ably and deliberately discussed only here and in the
oiner end of the Capitol but by the press throughout the
country that can have little hope of presenting any Thing
new or interesting in regard TO them for the consideration Of
committee In obedience however, TO the wishes, as
believe, OF my constituents, and in justice to myself feel
constrained TO state and the principles Dy which my
course will be governed far may be called upon to
The great controversy between the North and the South
upon the subject OF slavery And believe, sir, has rarely
the for past that question connected with
that important subject has been discussed in the American
Congress without irritation and excitement Prejudice against
the institution upon the sde and extreme senveness
arising from various causes, the other have oen rendered
such discussions not only excitng but productive Of serious
evil Their tendency has been weaken the ties and destroy
tina, harmony and good fellowship between the North and the
south essential TO continuance united people,
Il is my desire say nothing which will add TO the pre-
excitement II cannot pour oil upon the troubled
ers hope not TO increase their agitation and violence. DOR
moderation ard forbeaance should be signay manifest
3D. has been properly remarked in proportion the ques
lion becomes more important. 2"
Since the of the present session OF Congress-
slavery has been The all absorbing and theme
only here, but in every part of extensive country has
teen the alpha and OF almost speech and has
erered influence often controlling, nearly thing
which we have done attempted. Among other things
which have heard has been repeatedly sounded in
that upon the satisfactory adjustment Of this important
controversy hangs the destiny OF the repubche fate OF
glorious Union. Similar have reached from
various sources, Of them entitled very grave conde
ration ..g...4~.a#
Now, sir if this be indeed then is the controversy
momentous. No question of such anscendent Importance
involving deeply the freedom and happiness of man, has
been be presented for the consideration Of any
Legislative assembly in the civilized world. Ii this wide
spread ard happy land upon which Heaven has howered its
choicest blessings is to be torn asunder by internal sef
happy system OF government, which reflects immortal ho
upon founders, and under which have enjoyed
degree of freedom and prosperity and happiness unparalleled
in the annals Of nations to be broken up and overhrown
then truly may it be said that the last refuge of civil liberty,
the last hope OF free government, is gone. ...."
With what intense interest patriot every rotary
OF freedom watching deliberations and waiting the result.
On the other hand with what exutng joy all the enemies
OF freedom and all the tyrants and oppressos OF mankind
looking upon the gloomy spectacle present and with what
shout OF triumph will they hail the sad end OF this great
republic For enc, cannot, will not believe that ap
pang calamity is about befa cannot believe that
we have become the degenerate Of gallant sres
that cannot will preserve the glorious heritage which
their vaor and suffering have acquired and have transmitted
that the spirit which united and animated the nobles
of men that struggled and batted for ber has be-
extinct in the breasts of their descendants.
1t is true, sir, there those who the idea that the
Union danger, and who regard all that has been said
and bravado. am sir, not of that number.
The county, true, has been in danger BEFORE 1t has
alarming political and epests and rode
them out in safety Bot sir republics have often been the
victims Of duson PASSION and have guaranty that
We are exempt from these banefu influences
CONCUR In Inc opinion expressed Dy the gentleman
from Louisiana (Mr. MoasE,) that the ILL., that
the times sadly out Of Joint; and, regret say, that
expressions used by the gentleman himself furnish
dence Of the correctness Of that opinion confess sir. after
surveying the whole ground that have been reluctantly
forced the conclusion that the country in
GER and that there has been period in its history when
sp: Of Cancellation and compromise, and all the efforts of
patriotism, were emineny required TO prop its reeg
Sory and save il from the greatest of all calamties.
The exciting questions more Immediately in controversy
as op of our territorial acquisitions from Mexico and slavery
in this District 1t has been emphaticay announced in this
house and elsewhere that by act of Congress slavery
shall be inhibited in these Territories abolished in this Dis
tct the happening OF either of these contingencies will in
duce immediate action in the South for protection Or
other words, believe generally understood will fol-
lowed by secession revolution by part, all events of
me States in the South ~. 49,
Now sir am decidedly opposed to both these measures,
and the State which have The honor in part repre-
sent. But deem it entirely unnecessary speculate in
regard her course should they of them be adopted
there is probability, think, that either will
nappen least during the present session of Congress-
less the admission of California State with constitution
excluding slavery, should be regarded equivalent
measure, and that subject shall notice hereafter But
although neither OF these unjust and obnoxious
should be adopted, yet still the existing of things ev
IDENTITY tend to very unfortunate and alarming result The
different views and feelings entertained the North and the
South upon the subject slavery and the agitation of this
question IN conne1lon with party politics. manfesy tend to
sectional division in feeling and political action.
10 arrest TINS tendency, and avert fatal result should
be the Effort OF every who duly appreciates the mpo
lance ofpreservng that Union which have been
so prosperous and happy, and have become great and
powerful, ...2.+
As was born and educated in the North and have for
than thirty years resided in the South savehod
ing State, trust may, with freedom and without
offence examine this subject Of slavery, and more especially
view Of the opinions and feelings OF the North regard
there has evidently been light, or perhaps,
may with more proprety say obscuy thrown upon
left that section Of the country. If the views and feelings
which prevail entertained in my day, or
when resided there could hardly have escaped their nu-
and have selected slave State for my permanent
dence true did select Kentucky, because slavery
existed there but not that that circumstance
s,iuted any objection confident formed no part of
my education to listen TO lectures upon the injustice and
Of slavery and its continuance in the South In those days.
Abolonss and Abolition socees-the party styling itself,
par excellence, the Liberty pa and the oneidea Freeso
patty, unknown These new sects have sprung up
under the influence of the boosted progress of the age
which hear much But this progress OF the age is in
amount of trash and rubbish known in the West and
South by the general term drift and in the North, believe,
ood tcood, which would otherwise slumber and decay in
silence upon the bank. While the tide lasts it floats with
some appearance Of importance often the serious annoy
ance OF the NOBLE steamer and other useful craft But when
tae stream again reres within lis natural channel
70 annoy, and And such will be the inevi
table destiny of those reforming sects ise ADORE aeat
Drttten when the current of public opni shall become
tranquil and rational.
In regard to the fsnacal Aboonis,s who are struggling
o' The immediate abolition of slavery throughout the whole
country and the world, reckless alike and
quences, useless word That sect so lost to
eli Inc dictates OF reason, justice, and humanity that APP
peal to them would be utterly unavaing. Suvh
vid and deuded as those who, century ago. hung
honest women Tor witches and drove honest Quakers
herecs ms happened even in the good DID, and great