The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-27

pause and consider what are the actual losses and
gains by the two sections of the Union in the adop
ton of this system of measures think that to
California, neither party, SO far as the action Of
Congress is concerned, can be truly said to have
gained or lost. What has been done there, has
been done by competent and admitted authority,
without the interpretation of Congress.
As ITO the Territories New Mexico and Utah, the
wishes of the South have prevailed the Wilmot
provso has been repudiated, and, although do not
bolicve that slavery will be tolerated in either Of
them, both are allowed to admit or exclude it ac-
cording to their own pleasure.
In regard to the Texas boundary, the South has
been rendered secure in all the territory lying west
of the Nueces and extending to the Rio del Norte;
and up that river, from its mouth to the southern
line OF New Mexico, for slavery, which
had been before disputed and controvcrted. The
South gets effective provision for the restoration
The SOUTH think, will be quieted on the subject
of tho agitation of slavery in the District of Colum
ba by the abolition Of the odous slave trade in that
District-a measure equally demanded. in my
humble opinion, by the honor, dignity, and the true
interests Of both the South and the North.
Will that system Of measures allay excitement
and agitation, and pacify, tranquillize, and har-
monize the country hope, trust, and believe it
taton has been greatly circumscribed. No longer
can California be theme to create division amongst
us. She il now an admitted member of this Union,
and can no more be put out of it than Kentucky,
Virginia, any other State be put out of It,
No longer can the Wilmot proviso be insisted
upon TO be engrafted upon the territorial govern
mcnts of New Mexico and Utah; for venture to
predict that il any attempt be made to sten that
proviso upon those governments, it will be re-
sisted by decisive. if not indignant majority,
in one or both Houses Of Congress.
No longer can the subject of the Texas bounda-
ry be one Of agitation and controversy; for, from
all that have heard, the people Of Texas them
selves, who had the undoubted right to decide for
themselves whether they would accept or reject
lapfCp haU I d.,,,hx al
they would, consented to those proposals.
As to the Slave Trade bill in the District of CO.
umbia, the North, presume, will hardly attempt
the repeal of that and confidently anticipate that
no such attempt will be seriously made on the part
of the South.
In respect to slavery within the District Of Coum-
bia, which is dying natural death rapidly,
think we may confidently hope for freedom from
all disturbance on that account. f
Thus, Mr.. Speaker, trust and believe that of all
the numerous threatening topics connected with
OF Congress, one only remains to create interest
and solicitude and that is the Fugitive Slave BILL
Narrowed down to that single ground, the slave
holding States will occupy the vantage position.
The Constitution il with them, the law il with
them, the right is with them; and, if its execution
shall be opposed, or attempted to be thwarted by
force, that State which makes such an opposition
will place itsef clearly, manifestly, and indisputa
bly, in the wrong.
Occupying such ground the slav eholdinR Statea
may fearlessly and confidently await the issue.
II was not to be expected, nor did l expect that
the measures adopted at the last session of Con-
gress would lead to immediate and general ac
quiescence on the part of the uitrAs at the North
and at the South. tt
They had been impelled by such violent and ex-
retne passions, that i was too much to expect that
they would silently and promptly admit their err
ror and yield to what had been done for the best
interests of our common country.
second edition of the Hartford Convention has
again assembled, and is laboring to stir up strife
and contention, and in several Of the saveholding
States the spirit OF dscord and disunion il busiy
engaged IN Its unpatriotic work. But confidently
anticipate that ali these mad efforts will be put
down by the intelligence, tho patriotism the love
OF Union Of the people Of the various slavcholdins
States.
And here, Mr.. speaker, let us make q mouen-
tary inquiry as to what would have been the con-
dtion OF the confederacy the subject of slavery,
H. unbappily, II had been discovered. Assuming
that the line could have been drawn between the
slaveholding and non slavehodng States all north
ofthe States Of Maryland and Virginia. and l north
OF the Ohio river would have become a foreign, in
dependent, and sovereign power: Contrast, nyou
please, our present condition with what il would
have Teen under that order Of things.
AT present we have right, If any slave escapes
from his service, to demand his surrender. We
our hand, and to require the surrender l do not
believe that there will be any open and forciblc
| sistance TO the execution Of the law.
The people of the North have too strong sense
OF the proprety Of the obedience the aw for that
but If there be any such resistance wo have right
to invoke the employment OF any part of the militia
OF the United States or the army the navy of the
United States, TO enforce the execution of the law;
and, although have no authority to commit Prcsi-
dent Fillmore to any specific line of duty, have
known him. long, well and intimately, and feel
entire confidence in him Of ability, Of hon
esiy, and OF PATRIOTISM who will perform his duty
and his whole duty, in seeing to the faithful
ton Of the laws OF the land TO which pledge the
support Of the utmost Of my poor ability
In the existing state OF things doubtless shall
not all our fugitive slaves that escaped.
We shall. however, recover some, and the courts
and jurios in the free States have demonstrated
their readiness TO give, by their verdicts and judg
ments, ample indemnity against those who entice,
seduce away, and harbor our runaway slaves.
Bot how would the case stand in dsmcmbersd
condition OF the Confcderacys Then would not
have right 10 demand a solitary slave that might
escape beyond the Ohio into what would then be n
! foreign power.
If all the slaves of Kentucky in that contingency
! were W flee beyond the Ohio river, would not
have right 70 demand one Of them. In the absence
OF oxtradition treaties, and such treaties would
ever be concluded in respect TO slaves, we should
have right TO demand a surrender Of one Of
them. Nothing is clearer in the whole public law
Of nations than that one independent foreign power
~ not bound TO surrender fugitive who takes ref
uge in the doninions Of another independent foreign
power
We have recently seen this great international
/ principle acted upon by the Sultan of Turkey in
the case Of Kossuth and his Hungarian compatriota
who took refuge in the Sultan's dominions; and his
rcfusal to surrender them upon the demand of Rue
sia and Austria was nthusiasticsf4y admired, ap-
proved, and applauded by all Of US.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, VIC have the Constitution, the
law, and the clear right on side. Dissolve the
Confedcracy and create new and indepc .idcnt pow
ere the law and the right will be trs aserrcd from
us 10 them.
| may be asked, as have oecn asked, when I
wouio consentt 20 .ution Of the Union. an
swcr, NEvrnl Nxvrai Nrvnp, because can con-
eelve OF no poss. Gle contingency that would make
tior tue Interests and happiness of the people TO
orcespp ths glorious Confederacy, and oseparatcit
Into bleeding and belligcrsnt parts. Show me, what
| l believe TO be impossible TO show me, that there
will be greater security for liberty, life property
peace, and human happiness IN the midst of
jsrring, jealous and varring independent North
American powers, than under the eagle OF the
Union, and I will consent to is dissolution.
| would yield to II if Congress were TO usurp a
power, which sure Il will, to abolish
slavery within the limits Of the States; for in the
contingency of such usurpaton, we should be in
a better condition as TO slavery, bad 1t would
| be. out of the Union than in the Union.
I Apprehensions have been entertained and ex-
pressed as to the want, in future time OF territorial