The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-06-25

CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO
SPEECH O

Hon II, MARSHALL. of Kentucky,
IN HorsE OF RErREsESrArnEs, Arnn, 3. 1850.
Mr. MARSHALL. said:
NJ CHAIRMAN: At the commencement
OF this session, occasion called forth an ex-
preston of my regard for the Union
embrace the first opportunity which has
since offered, to declare tina. attachment and
unaffected loyalty to the noble system Of
Tree government under which we live, is the
common sentiment of the district represent
iadeed, desire to preserve our free institu-
tons for the benefit OF posterity, must be
the darling wish Of every patriot. no matter
under what latitude his destiny IS cast. This
belief inspires me with hope and confidence.
that the clouds which now lower over us
viii roll away, and that the constellation Of
The American Union will still shine amonr
tue nations Il zoe can but recur to that
spirit OF mutual concession in which thew
acted who conceived and established the
constitution, we may meet this crisis with
out tear, and discharge our responsibility
without reproach. So far as ] am concerned
shall be willing to bear and forbear. to
CT Inn nothing that is not right, and to yield
70 the circumstances which surround us, UNI
til conceive demands upon me to be posi-
lively wrong, in order to restore quiet to the
country, and to enable Congress to proceed
with other important and necessary legis-
lation.
will say, in the commencement, never
allow myself to dwell on the idea Of disunion
as remedy, except as one sometiu es re-
fleets upon the folly Of suicide. II is the
remedy enly Of absolute desperation under
sense OF intolerable evil. Should the power
Of this Government be prostituted to serve
the purposes Of fanaticism, should mani
lest disregard Of chartered rights appear in
Its action, 1t would become the duty Of the
oppressed to throw it of, by resort to the
remedy Of revolution. Whenever the con-
structlon Of the Constitution is so pain de-
parture from its literal meaning, and its true
spirit, as to indicate beyond doubt that it is
retained as mere index Of power--not as
bond Of good faith among friends aud
equals-the destruction Of the Constitution
would be less evil than submission to M
feeling and unjust tyranny. l appreciate
the blessings of freedom and Of regulated
right
Domestic slavery is our apple Of discord
ii need not be concealed thu so wide DIFF
ference OF opinion exists, as to the propriety
OF domestic slavery under this Government,
rs that the conflict Of sentiment disturbs the
repose and endangers the security of the
Union But it is not, as some seem to sup
pose, the resolutions Of popular assemblies,
the abstract notions of declaimers, or even
Legislative resolves, which may give rise to
this national disquietude. Men may think,
write, speak, as they please. 1t is action
from which the danger will spring; and in
advance of that action comes, very properly,
the 70 ce OF warning, inviting contempla-
ton of probable consequences.
At the adoption Of the Co; stitution, near
" all the States employed slave labor.
some derived large profits from their connec-
ton with the slave trade. Many Of the pri-
vate fortunes which established family con
sequence, were founded upon the profits
deduced from this "inhuman traffic" The
in.quty OF slavery had not alarmed the con-
sciences Of men intent OH the pursuit of gain.
The men of 1887, though fresh from the
war for liberty, and possessing at least equal
purity with those Of succeeding generations,
did not shrink from making the compact Of
the Constitution with slavery, as arecognised
element Of political power in this Govern
ment, nor TO clothe it both with protection
and privilege, in consideration Of certain con-
coded equivalents which they enjoyed du-
ring their day, and from which their de-
sccndants reap profit even at this day.
Since that period, many Of the States,
having rid themselves of slaves, the pas
sing generation has been educated to abb
hor the system, as not only the degrada-
ton Of an unfortunate race, and disgrace
iul deprivation Of the negro Of his inalienable
right to freedom, but also as sin in the
sight Of Heaven. The common mind, un-
educated in the written political obligations
OF the Constitution, is diverted from the
course it would otherwise have taken, by
the constant appeals of ambitious dema-
Iosues, who nfame popular passion, from
motives ofself-aggrandizeInent and would lead
into all the labyrinths of error, for the mere
sake Of public notoriety. The progress Of
Abolition-for this sentiment which row
comes clothed with the title Of "Free-soi-
ISM" is, at best, bat political abo,itioncism,
within the past fifteen years, has been pro-
digious. Look back to the debates in this
Hall in ls35-36-37, and you will see that,
on the presentation of abolition petitions,
northern Representatives claimed the espc-
cial privilege Of battling against the fierce
onslaught. of this fanaticism wherever its ban
ner was displayed. They assured the South
that the movement was but the result Of IN
considerate folly, which, having no other
employment, was engaged in this mischief,
but that no serious danger need be appre-
hended from it. ! do not doubt that those
gentlemen were sincere do not doubt
the sincerity Of gentlemen who now de-
clare there is no danger, and that our con-
stitutional rights shall be preserved.
But, Mr.. Chairman, the progress Of this
fanatcsm has not in the slightest degree