The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-12

would create a degree Of excitement throughout
the entire South, which. in my humble judgment,
if ii should not be attended with more serious con-
sequences, would create prejudices and bad feel
ings that il would take whole ages TO eradicate
Laws had been passed in many OF the free States TO
enable the master with greater facility to take his
slave when he should escape from labor these laws
were passed in aid of the law of Congress on this
subject Most of the free States have recently re-
pealed these laws, and in one state (New York; an
effort made, directly in the face OF the Const
tuition and the law of Congress, TO force a bill
through the Legislature imposing heavy fine on
any citizen Of that State who should lend his aid 10
the master in taking his slave. In many instances
slaves have been aided In making their escape.
Sometimes they have been induced to run off, and
now the contemplate and dishonorable Vaccinations
of Abolitionists have reached such incorrigible
degree of lawless impudence that but few gentle
men, when travelling, will take servant with
them if they expect TO pass through a free State.
member from Ohio, (Mr. GIDpINGs,) in a
speech here the other day, denied that any law
should be passed TO secure the right of the master
TO his slave when he escapes from labor. The
power to pass such a law is expressly granted by
the Constitution to Congress; and yet, at this late
day, when the courts Of this country have passed
judgment this question favorable TO the right OF
tho master his slave when he escapes from
labor, wherever found, the member from Ohio, di-
rectly in the face of the repeated decisions OF the
highest judicial tribunals of this country, is found
openly and unblushingly advocating fragrant
violation of the spirit of the very Constitution
which, when he took his seat in this House. he was
sworn to support That gentleman may be well
satisfied with his own opinions, but his ethics will
never suit the South.
understand that New Mexico has formed a gov
eminent to suit her people, in which there is no
thing said the subject of slavery; leaving this
question TO be settled when she comes TO form
sttution preparatory to admission into this Union.
Why not adopt some such form of government
for the whole of the territory not embraced in the
boundaries of California; and pass it in connexion
with the bill for her admission? How can the North
object TO this? California has made for herself
a constitution in which she inhbs slavery. North
ern gentlemen are exceedingly anxious to admit
her. New Mexico has made form of government
to suit herself in which nothing is said TO slave
ry. Well now, it seems to me, that if gentlemen
from the free States intend to be consistent if they
intend to deal fairly with the South, if they intend
TO act upon any principle that is rcconciable with
that equality of right, that even handed justice
which the Constitution was formed and adopted to
secure, they must now come up like patriots and
statesmen, and say to by their actions not by
their words-we are all Of US members of this great
national family-we all of US look to the same Con-
stituton for the security oour property and for the
protection of our berty-we desire to respect your
rights, because you American citizens bound to
US by the ties OF interest of patriotism and of aec
ton too holy to be discarded, too strong to be
ercd and although we are opposed to the institution
OF slavery, yetit Is recognised by the Constitution
of the United States. This Territory as much be-
longs our brethren of the South and to their in
stitutons to and to institutions therefore
let justice be done--let US organize government
for it without the Wilmot proviso and if slavery
goes there by the voice Of the people, let them have
1t when they shall form suitable constitution and
ask admission into the Union. If under such a
system oflegslation the institution of slavery shall
die, let il die but if the contrary it shall not die
but continue it has hitherto DONE TO dcveope the
resources OF the country TO which il is adapted, in
the name of justice, in the name of peace, in the
name Of that harmonious spirit of concession and
compromise which actuated the fathers of our re-
public when they formed and adopted our Consti-
taton in the name of the glorious old Ship of State
which Tor more than sixty long years has borne US
In security and in triumph above the angry waves
OF faction that have dashed about her PROV and
sometimes swept harmlessly over her deck, let US
join together, subdue the factious spirit that has
kept US asunder, and in a spirit of compromise re-
store peace to the country.
Gentsmen from the North have it in their power
thus TO tranquillze the country. Some few oil them
have already manifested determination to do SO.
If the entire North would come up in the same
patriotic spirit, the difficulties that now hang over
the country, and fill the public mind with sppre-
henson for the safety of the Union would be diss-
psted In an hour; peace would be restored TO the
country, and this session Of Congress shortened
many months.
I. sir, have full faith in the wisdom and patriot
ism of the President; and in expressing myself in
favor OF the immediate passage Of a bill fixing a
suitable form Of government for the residue of the
Territory not embraced in the bounds Of California
do not consider that am opposing his recon-
mendation My object is to provide government
for people who are in n measure without govern
ment. am for accomplishing Immediately what
the President seems TO think time is necessary 10
cffectuate. There is difference, therefore, in the
principle maintained in his MESA gre on this sub
iect and that which am advocating-the only diff.
ference Is as 70 time think sir, owe il 10 the
people OF the Territory TO give them government
they need protection, and am for extending it &c
them. am willing 10 know the worst before thi.
session Of Congress closes. Yes, sir il the wimot
proviso is to be applied to this Territory am will
ing am anxious TO know il before California il
admitted; for although will vote for her admis-
sion IL in connexion with that BILL can vote to or.
ganize suitable government for the residue of the
Territory without the Wilmot proviso; yet il north
members are determined to vote in California
and then to force the proyiso on this Territory,
they will have to accomplish their object without
my vote for will not vote for the present admis-
sion Of California under such circumstance
If II were possible to carry proposition Of that
sort, should be in favor OF some such compromise
that made when Missouri admitted I pre-
fer il in fact, because il is much shorter metboc
OF settling the diiculty but IL seems TO be the opn
ion Of everybody, North and South, that no sucl
compromise, In this House, would receive the supper
Of one solitary northern gentleman, and IL woulc
therefore be Lost. The next best settlement Of THU
question 10 found in the admission Of California il
connexion with the organization Of government 10
the residue Of the Territory without the Introduction
Of slavery. When the people Of the Territory COM
10 form a constitution for themselves, and ask adj
mission into the Union, they can then tolerate OF
inhibit slavery, as 10 them may seem meet Neithe
tnc DOutu nor hc ANOfm NOulu tncn nave cause II
complain. The South asks not the North to lend he
power TO force slavery on people who are opposed
TO il. The North should not seek 10 exclude slavery
from people who are in favor Of il. The only true
principle, therefore, under present circumstances
is to let the people residing in the Territory settle
the question when they come 10 form a constitution
preparatory TO admission into the Union.
II seems 10 me that the "sober second thought
the returning sense Of right and Of justice, among
northern representatives-must bring them TO thu
conclusion IL this should turn out 10 be the case
IT, representatives. in the American Congress from
the East and from the West, from the North and
from the South, we can meet in a spirit Of concord
around the altar Of justice, Of equality Of patriot
ism, and Of liberty, and settle this exciting
TO the satisfaction Of the country-we shall not onl,
disappoiut foreign speculation and foreign prognos
tication, but restore peace 10 our country, anc
add another to the many evidences that our father
have already exhibited, that man is capable Of self
government
Sir, there has been good deal said about the dis
solution Of this Union, and, although regard no
such event az being possible, yet il is TT that
should pause and see whence this disor gsnizinl
spirit comes Judging from the tone Of some north
ern speeches here, one would suppose IL all came
from the South. But, SIR il has been fostered and
nurturcd in the booom Of theru