The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-24


tutional grounds should be satisfied. The man
who thinks the constitution authorizes il, but that
il ought not to be done from considerations Of expe-
diency and of Kindness and of fraterns regard for
the different sections of the Unon ought also TO be
satisfied. This, by neither affirming nor disaffrm-
ing the power, but by asserting that the power
ought not to be exercised. say that the very
spirit of compromise prevailing on both sides ought
to be perfectly satisfactory. Does the honorable
Senator expect that my learned friend whom see
before me, who has no doubt about the power, will
give up that opinion and renounce his deliberate,
welcomed opinions which he has entertained for
years Does the South make any sucn deniano ,
VIII the Senator from Louisiana uen ., ,o,,,
Why, sir the demand that there shan De no COM
promise-no settlement of the quesuons WHICH
agitate the country
But the honorable Senator has msconceTed the
report. The bill which has been reported is mere
TO which, by-the-bye, will show how wrong il is
TO PREJUDICE An honorable friend OF mine, in my
eve. has suggested that the object can be accom-
plished in a mode by which should like to know,
from the Senator from louisiana, whether il can
be accomplished or not. The introduction of slaves
into the District either for sale or placed in depot
for subsequent transportation arises out OF the laws
passed by Congress ITSELF permitting il to be done.
In the year 1902, or one or two years afterwards,
believe, friend said TO me, Mr.. Clay, you can
accomplish the object at which you aim, by sim
where Congress found it. where, by law, it allow
ed the introduction of slavery here" | have
not examined that law, but have no doubt,
from the genteman's familiarity with the laws
of Maryland and of the District of Columbia,
that what he stated was perfectly correct.
Now, | ask, if, instead OF the provision
which is proposed, by which We merely use the
language of the law of Maryland at the time this
District was set apart by that State-the precise
language forbdding the introduction of slaves for
SALE and declaring that their introduction contrary
10 law should forfeit the rights Of the master TO his
slave, and that the slave should become free-if,
IL. llnl.r
We're proposed to be amended so as to merely re-
peal the acts Of Congress in relation TO slaves intro
duced into the District and transported hence TO
New Orleans, and he thinks that wrong COM
mitted against the institution of the South-one
which would be alarming to the rights of the peo-
pie of the Southl Sir, where there is disposition
TO look at things with an impartial candid eye
disposition TO look al all the interests of all the
parts of the country and TO all the prejudices, we
will be more likely TO arrive at satisfactory,
harmonious result. But to attach ourselves TO a
single position and to seek TO bring everything TO
the standard of our own peculiar opinions, is not
calculated TO produce such result. Again, | say
that the Senator is mistaken in supposing that a
resident of the District can go out of the District
and buy slave and bring him in.
Mr.. SoJIE-I feel assured that the Hon. Senator
has misunderstood me. | have merely said, that
the effect of this section, if understood IT Alright,
would be, TO preclude the introduction of any slaves
into this District for the purpose or being sod even
if il to supply the necessities Of those who in
habit it. And, if the Hon. Senator will look into
this section again, he will acknowledge that such
would be the effect of il.
Mr.. CIAY-Well, sir, what is the inconvenience
of that The slave cannot be brought five miles
from this place TO a man who wants to purchase
him but the man can go these five miles and buy
him, and bring him here himself; The incon.
yenence is, that the resident OF the District will
have TO travel these five miles himself TO buy the
slave, instead ofhaving the slave trader do ii. There
is nothing prevent resident from going out 10 get
slave for his own use. The only prohibition is,
that no slave shall be brought into this District
into market for any purpose whatever. But, i
repeat, that by the repeal OF the laws under which
this is done, all difficulties would have been OBJ
waited, and such would, probably, have been pro-
posed, If the bill had been allowed to take its usual
course.
But the honorable Senator proceeds in his objec-
tons to this compromise-no part of which, unfor-
tunately, seems to receive his sanction, TO afford
him any solace or satisfactioL-to say that il has
been contended by me that the laws of Mexico
abolished slavery that slavery did not exist there,
and is not likely TO be introduced in point of fact.
Well, cir, | cannot help entertaining these OPT
Mons; / cannot disbelieve what | believe. But
the honorable Senator has taken up the greater
part of the time in which he ably and eloquently
addressed us, TO prove that that opinion of mine is
incorrect He has gone info historical account
of the abolition of slavery in Mexico-gone behind
the and given an account of the instructions
with regard to the clause prohibiting the introduce
ton of slavery into Mexico-gone into the Senate,
and traced out what has been done in this body to
prove that by a movement by the Senator from
Connecticut (Mr. Baldwin,, there was an implied
purpose on the part Of Congress to recognise and
allow slavery there: Now, sir, cannot the honor
thinks that slavery IL not abolished there. know
that Ne is much more eminent jurist than ever
aspired 10 be. Why is he not satisfied with his
own opinion Will he not allow, in a spirit Of ge-
nerosiiy, contrary opinion to be entertained by
any one e. o,;.,,o, ~ ri. m.,.u,. b. ,.,,s :.
that this is called a settlement of all the questions
81 H.. of la ArEf nj
this side, difficult question is left unsettled which
ought 10 be settled. Will the honorable Senator
tell us how IL can be settedl Will he, or any one
else, tell rs how IL can be settled; how otherwise
than by the Supreme Court of the United States, the
question be settled, whether the laws of Mexico
did or did not abolish slavery within the limits Of
that territoyl What he proposed TO do was not 10
settle things which are for the good of these pro-
vinces hut TO propose 10 the consideration OF the
Senate n general compromise, which would settle
all the questions which were practicable or possible
for any measure to settle In regard to those ques-
tons which belong TO the courts, let them be re-
ferred TO the courts for decision There isno other
scheme which has been offered, or which can be
offered TO settle these questions, than by the SUI
preme Court Of the United States.
Now, Mr.. President IL is little remarkable thai
the hon. Senator argued with great ingenuity and
eamestncss, that, according 10 the local laws Of
Mexico, slavery was not Misunderstanding TO
the local laws Of Mexico, there was right on the
part OF the STAKEHOLDER 10 carry his slaves there
but that, according TO the constitution of the
United States, that right existed II il does. ought
not the Senator to be satisfied He says Congress
has no power TO legislaie upon the subject Of sla-
very way or the other.
MIR. SouuE-The Hon. Senator does me injustice
Il expressly admitted that slavery was abolished
by the Mexican law. / never raised doubt upon
that point-thafsavery andfhe slave trade had been
abolished by the constituted power Of Mexico in
1924
Mr.. CLAY-Very well.
Mr.. SouIE-Therefore, 20 far as that goes, there
cannot be doubt in the mind Of any one, that sla-
very il abolished.
Mr.. CLAY-I spoke Of the Senator as assaulting
the opinion entertained.
Mr. SouIK-Not in the least.
Mr.. CLAy-The Hon. Senator admits that slave
~ was abolished, but he contends that the right to
carry slaves there restored by the constitution
OF the United States. Well then, sir, IL by the
constitution Of the United States, there is right
on the part of every STAKEHOLDER in this country to
carry slaves into the said territories, what more
does Le want He talks about the aafs quo Why
the sidfu guo is precisely what should suppose
sureradded TO this state Of things-would be what