The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-27


the ground that they not responsible for its origin
and, second, on the ground that its existence being mat
ter OF nexorabe necessity they not responsible for
that continuance. Sir, this language has been used
everywhere. have not only heard It. but have used
this language myself among my constituents in ex
cuse you please OF in vndcaton f you please 10 use
the term Of the people Of the South for their participation
Irepea we All ielt the force Of this argument Let it
De an offence il you please those who brought into
are responsible for is continuance when its abolition can
pe made consistent with their safety, have ever felt
the force OF this Argument And what say the resou-
tlons They express the opinion that the institution an
offence against humanity They proceed further TO fur
nsh the vndicaon which the South have always urged
for themselvesthe fact that the institution was entaed
upon them by those who had gone before them, and that
It's continuance with them rests upon nexorable necess
~ Now, sir, having this view Of the resolutions, find
Ing they presented at the same moment in which they
branded the institution as crime, the excuse in excul
an imputaion upon them. 1t with this view that
hazarded the remark which then considered and now
consider rather as common place one, without the
slightest idea II could give offence 10 any one.
But sir, does the assertion need pooi Does the opn
ION that the Institution is inconsistent with the dictates
OF humanity need proof'
opinion of the civilized world' What has been the Ian
guage OF the ables and best men of the South What
language have they held, and what has the civilized
world at large said and done on this subject! Why, sir
If we look abroad we find the opinion of the civilized
nations of Europe expressed by their acts Great Brit
ain has put an end to the institutions France demolished
it at a single blow One Of the first acts Of the French
epublicl speak Of il as il is existing nowwas the alb
clifton OF this institution totally universally, absolutely
without reservation and without qualification through
out her dominion Sir, how did we feel, and how did
this Senate act in regard to that matter Have gentle
forgotten the resolutions OF congraulaton, and sym
pahy, and appreciation which were transmitted from this
body 10 France Immediately after her late revolution
And have gentlemen forgotten the remark which thought
proper TO make on that occasion, when we ex-
pressing our qualification that among the first acts OF the
HON nd
10 whom we were extending congratulations, was the
absolute and unqualified execution OF measure about
which my humble constituents were not even permitted
to talk Yes sir the axe was put to the root OF the in.
sAuton II was done boldly, promptly, decsively; and
yet, at the moment when were thus expressing
sympathies and extending our congratulations, the
subject when presented here from constituency rep
resented on this floor was laid upon the table upon
the question of reception. Now, sir, find no fault
with that disposition OF the subject, so long as is
brought here by the oftcious ianatcism OF people
who had better lei 1t alone. So long as il is the
mere topic OF demagogism and popular excitement
care not, if it is presented here in that spirit il it is
put under your table But the subject presents itself
in different spirtit comes TO us, as have already
marked, unnvited and unwelcome. lts intruder up.
on US but even though II is an intruder, 1t must be
ceived for cannot get rid Of it The issue is made in
respect to these Territories n reference to this nstitu
ton, and be evaded II be met and il must
be decided for It is impossible to avoid it. Under these
circumstances lis right OF every State and of any State
in this Union to express It's sentiments upon this engoss
ing subject lis the right and duty in this aspect OF
the question: for every State TO express not only its opn
ions as TO the propey OF extending this institution to
self self 'e0e'' wv - 0pN'0n . '' 'A'''uu0A :,
But if was not right in the remark dropped the other
day with reference TO the views and opinions OF the civil
zed word-with the exception perhaps of small poI
hon OF it in which the institution existsif am in error,
let gentlemen point me to some spot in the civilized world
civilized people demand its introduction. Sir. who de-
sires III When and where, in what portion of the globe.
DO you find earnest wish expressed for its introduction
sentiment Of the people oil all these Territories What
the sentiment OF Oregon, and what is the sentiment OF
California; She has presented here constitution, in
ion But sr, need not 20 abroad lof material to vim.
opinions 81 the abest and the best men OF the South
Produced. What were the opinions Of Washington, of
Madison, and OF Jefferson $780,. ~
Sir, gentlemen seem to have forgotten the expressive
anguage Of these men, when they regard the expression
of similar sentiments in these resolutions offensive TO
The South Sir let advert TO some OF the opinions of
Thomas Jefferson on this subject and let me, at the
,ame time advert TO the course OF Virginia herself in
alton to the introduction of this institution Mr. Jefer-
,on tells u.s.
"During the regal government had, at time, OBJ
aimed a law which imposed such duty on the imPona-
ion OF slaves as amounted nearly to prohibition, when
,ne inconsiderate assembly, placed under peculiarly Of
repealed the law Tnis repeal met joyful
ancon from the then sovereign, and no Devices no expe
ients which could after be attompted by subsequent
they seldom met without attempting
,ewa OF the duty Inhe very r session. held under the
republican government the assembly passed law for the
perpetual prohibition Of the importation o slaves This
v in some measure stop the of this great poi
,a and moral evil while the minds Of citizens may be
pened for a complete emancipation of human nature"
Notes on VTgiHta, pp l6i I62
Sir the sentiments here expressed the sentiments
,f this day OF the free States; and il apology be
,essary the part for their expression here is TO be
ound in the fact that the language is that OF distn
yuished statesmen and patriot Of the South. Mr. Jefer
,on says further
Sand the liberties OF a nation be thought
when have removed their only firm bassa conviction
,f God that they not TO bo violated but with his
wrath Indeed ! trembe for my country when reflect
hat Ged is just that his Justice cannot sleep orever
Same, p. 300
Why temble at the reflection hat God is just" Sir,
his language, when il uttered, the language OF
he patriot and the statesman. IL was the language OF
nan prominent as southern statesman than any
,her man who ever existed in that quarter oil the Union
But this language then considered the language OF the
Philosopher the patriot and the statesman. has now be-
% me fanafcism" Transplanted from the soil oil Viz
Iina to the ree-soi Of the North these sentiments,
which at one time did honor TO the head and the heart
II the author have now degeneraed into Janofie,sm
This probably is illustration OF what the senator
rom Michigan tr CAssl calls the progress OF the age
If progress morality and in political ethics Ihe sen
iments thus uttered in the very heart oil the country
where this institution exissuttered by MT Jefferson
the appreciation of his country, his own peo
,e and of the word-when repeated by my humble con-
uency, in less pointed and less vigorous erms' become
Janaficiam."
What have we done herei What sort Of brand has
Congress put upon this institution Sir at the very out
OF legislation, the subject Of the slave trade was
All A rv m nj