Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-21


al am opposed 10 the diffusion of slavery because
eontnng II within its present limits, will bring the
States themselves 10 lis gradual abolition.
This Admitted result is, 10 my mind. one OF the most
agreeable consequences OF the legitimate restriction of
slavery. Cuahne this maady within its present limits
surround by GORDON Of jreemeR that cannot spread
aud IN less than twenty-five years, every savehoIdng
State in the Union viii have its statute books law
for the gradual and tiual extinction of slavery"
Bat am told the gentleman is fanatic and that
we should not regard what he may say. But, sir. did
we not hear virtually the same sentiment from mode
rate conservative member, the gentleman from Illinois
mir. BakerJ when ne told us that there should be mo
more Stare territory and more SGue States admit
ted INTO me Ohi0n Similar declarations have been
made again and again, and what northern man on this
floor has denied that this the settled purpose of the
North! Perhaps the gentleman from Pennsylvania
"ShotceG the hand Of the North" too soon and too
plainly
If the powers of this Federal Government are to be
used Tor the avowed purpose of gripping and ultimately
destroying the great interests Of the Southern States,
what Is the value of the Union to us2
Mr. Chairman, this Union formed on calculation
on the very incest calculation, and can only be CONT
nued on calculation. When it is used instrument
OF wrong and oppression to one OF its sections, it
not last God knows am far, very far, from desiring
its dissolution Love OF Union is cherished and most
sacred sentiment among the southern people. To pre-
serve IT, they will make almost any sacrifice short of
their honor rights involving their independent exis
tence The idea Of calculating its value has been abb
horrent u.s. but has been forced upon u.s. and you
know, SIR that the sentiment of lore not considera-
tons OF interest which chiefly attaches us to the Union
fast being weakened by the course Of our northern
fellow citizens
We have resolved to "resist at every hazard and to
the last extremity what is called the spirit of the
age" which would place under the ban of the en-
pre- and array the powers OF our government against
the interests OF our section
Legislature after legislature instructs Senators from
the northern and northwestern States vote for laws
abolshing slavery in ' every foot of ground over
winch the United States has jurisdiction in dock
yards, arsenas, and forts as we'll in the District of
Columbia, and the territories. Nothing but respect
which you profess to feel for the direct requirements Of
the Constitution prevents you from laying your hands
on IL within the limits and jurisdiction of the States
ne gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. STEvENsl
says:
by those compromises, Congress has no power over
slavery IN the States greatly regret that it So for if
1t were within our legitimate control, would 60 regard
less OF al threats Tor some just safe, and certain
Tor its final extinction"
The sentiment of the people of the Northern States
is against US There is among them an adherence of
slavery. Gentlemen here and their State Legislatures
speak OF it as national disgrace" which they are
bound to blot out so soon as be DONE consistent
WIN tnelf oblgatlon to support the Constitution How
long will it be before you may amend the Constitution?
Free State after free State you call them are to be
admitted gu, and your legislatures, declare that you
are against the admission of another slaveholding
State into the Federal Union" GU have already avow-
ed your purpose to do indirectly what you may not do
directly, and will you wait to amend the Constitution
when you get the power OF numbers in both Houses of
Congress! 1t is getting to be favorite doctrine that
in our Government " the will of the majority is SUI
preme 1t has been said that many clauses in the Con-
sutlon confer upon Congress the power abolish sa
very in the States May the gentleman from Penn
syvania have limited at this when he declared that the
governments Of the slave States not republican
but deSpotaSms When compare abolitionism now
with what 1t was tfeen years ago. the fear unreason
able, that the Northern people may be induced to be-
lieve 1t their duty to guaranty republican form of
to every State 10 the Union required by
Perhaps the gentleman is showing the hand of the
North too soon in this
Mr.. Chairman, the Southern people will resist the
conSunanGt'on OF the fatal measures of which have
spoken some OF our statesmen recommend retaliation
and suspension OF intercourse with States which
pace themselves n hostility to u.s. express opinion
Of the proPnety OF this course member OF the Lee
gslaure OF Georgia, proposed make it penal for an
attorney OF that State to collect debt due citizen Of
such State OR for Georgia sheriff levey an execu-
non Tor such debt but to leave the parties to their
dy before the Federal court. GU recolect the holy
horror with which this mad revolutionary PROPOSE
ton was regarded and yet sir the proposed Georgia
law was but carrying out the spirit, il not transcript
Oh the New DIRK law on the subject OF fugitive slaves
striking out fugitive slaves and Inserting promissory
nnles, bonds, and accouuts-not whit more absurd
than TIE laws of Norlhe STATES, against the recovery
our property.
l have recommended and my State has resolved to
RESIST, 10 Tie extent OF revolution the consummation Of
CERTAIN measures 10 event so depo' able ii catastro-
phe shah ieel II TO be my duty To every con-
stiuoha partIanenta Spedent, regardless of threats
Wtcb gentetnen make. observation-disclosures will be
Tie nevnab consequence OF the contamination of GER
tam measures. 10 pfenent that consumnaation, 1t is
nv si,,sar b, 1 ~ iie lleails
oujie deInerae remedies ar
zauon, than permanent dissolution. IT. as some of the
deoiora n s.s NAVY eoes On inns oor nave
Won refuse n do m ~ ~or aH ~ Gof ron sc
Slave oreater tbon your sacrod a W rove Oh me
Won choose to dissojys tho IT,; I've "a County anu
2esnonshiIv N'9-0-'S '''e you resi- me
ron,lo.~
nenTelnen, we oesire araentiy desire, union with
you But 1t must be constitutional unon--A UNION OF
higG&dG AND EouALiTY Dearly as we love the Union,
we love liberty more We can on y remain in the Union
henss n asn eqpal patepaon ID the
fo at least noTt;nn Of ba w itaiii !eiil
@ baa VI uElson mas Always, TIL
Of Nissonri and Tsras Il sd IN me case
NV "NN A'NA' - sio0io nol NC oepar'eo rom
Hyou refuse 10 recognize our equaty--lt you insist