The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-23

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gloom But TO maintain this proud position this stegry
ofpotca existence. which much for and for the
world depends we mus. sastay avoid those sectional
OF his Country, and cultivate spirit OF mutual regard adj
ding considerations OF interest which hold togeh
er the higher motives OF affection and Of affinity OF views
and OF sympathies Sad viii be the day when the FIRST
drop OF blood shed in the preservation Of this Union
That day need never COME and never VIII come, II the
same spirit OF compromise and OF concession by each TO
the feelings OF all which animated fathers continues
to animate and our children But u powers Offensive
to portion of the country and OF doubtful obligation,
say the least Of IT, are to Gs y ana
ration may be rent in twain, leaving another example OF
that judicial blindness with which God in his providence
sometimes visits the sins OF nations. -
Now, sir, as mere practical question, IS Inc iegisa'
tive adoption OF this rovlso worth the hazard winch
alone can be securedhe obstacles and the dangers
have briefly alluded to There should be great aivana-
ges, inesmable indeed to be gained before such
is forced upon the country Can any man say that
they correspond at all with The magnitude OF the evils
which must follow in their train
For myself sir, do not believe that the slightest good
will result would result under the most favorable CIR
cumsances from this congressional interference with the
rights OF the people Of the Territories The object avow-
ed is to prevent the introduction OF slavery. Can 20
there, if left without this prohibition! believe IT
cannot and believe there are very few here or else
This view Of the subject / had occasion to announce
two years since, together with the considerations
political and geographical, which led to the opinion
Time and experience have come 10 confirm all that was
then anticipated though certainly and in more
imposing form than could then have been even conec
tured By far the most valuable portion OF our Mexican
i understood. soon present itself for admission with
fundamental prohibition against the existence OF slavery
Looking at the condition OF New Mexico at its products
It's geographical position the character Of is inhabitants
whether natives emgants, and TO the legal fact that
slavery is excluded from all that region think the
most Jealous advocate Of this prohibition must admit that
without It the country as sure to be free from slavery
with it. For myself, do not believe that if you were
TO pass law establishing slavery in the Santa Fe country
or in Desest, TO adopt the new nomenclature i would
ever 60 there More powerful considerations than your
Legislative action would control this question
tons Of profit arising out Of products which can alone
render this kind Of labor valuable, and which is sure to
IT, in the wing and sugarmaking regions,
instead OF permitting its emigration to higher lattudes,
whose products require less labor and BY their distance
from market must always be cheap and abundant.
refer TO these circumstances, not as influencing my
own action, for with my views OF the constitutional de-
feet Of power. am precuded from entering into any
other considerations; but Is appealing to those who
der TO prevent the introduction OF slavery into the new
acquisitions Nor have we any right to anticipate that
y abandon h SleSi TO this All
experience shows that controversy like this which has
reached its present condition. under circumstances i'm
whou esnse 70 It's
an result And there is no better illustration OF this
truth than the history Of our own revolutionary struggle
presents; where the principle ITSELF far more than its i'm
mediate practical application, reused continent to
The Wilmot Proviso is urged upon the ground OF its
expedency II is opposed upon the ground OF its nncon.
when circumstances show that the is dangerous
in ITSELF protess in Its result Those who oppose it
change their convictions OF right, and that portion
of the Union which considers itself peculiarly affected
by will not change the conviction that its feeling, and
interests will be sacrificed in violation Of the greas CON-
pact which makes us one political family
Now sir repeat, is the contest worth the cost! To
place this barren and, believe, unconstitutional Pro-
vso on the statute books that recompcnse for the
wounds that would be inflicted and the feelings that
L. oNa r,uht
minded man contemplate without the most serious
apprehension The Oldest among may live to see their
commencement; the youngest may live to see their Ter
will minister to no such feeling / will engage in no
such crusade against the South from whatever motives
originates will endeavor 10 discharge my duty as an
American senator, to the country and to the whole coun
try agreeaby TO the convictions OF my own duty and OF
the Obligations OF the constitution and when cannot
do this, shall cease g have any duty here to perform
the Senate, and will soon be before my constituents
and the country. am preciuded from voting IN con-
fomiiy with them have been instructed by the iegls
ature OF Michigan to vote in favor OF this measure
am believer in the right OF instruction, when fairly
exercised and under proper circumstances There are lin
atons upon this exercise but need not seek % ascsr
my present position | acknowledge the obligation OF
the instructions have received and cannot act in oppo-
sition TO them Nor can &C! in opposition to my own
convictions of the true meaning OF the constitution.
When the time comes, and am required to vote upon
this measure, practical one, in bill providing for a
Territorial gOvernment snail know now 10 IeCOnCHe
duty TO the legislature with my duty to myself by sur
rendering trust can no longer fulh
Mr.. BUTLER, remarkng that no other person seemed
disposed 10 address the Senate upon the resolution
moved 70 lay it upon the table, that might be called up
at any time for any gentleman who might be DESTROYS to
speak upon it, He stated his object to be to take up the
special order of the day for Tomorrow bill which had
been reported three days ago. respecting the recapture OF
fugitive slaves
Mr. FOOTE said tina, the honorable senator from Yer.
mont Mr.. PHELPsl eatited 10 the floor, but had,
with great courtesy and kindness, yielded TO the honora
BILE senator from Michigan, MR. CASH. with the under
unders,ood-that he should then have il again. He
would, therefore, ask the Senate 10 lay this resolution
uponshe table, and TO accord TO the senator from Yer
mont that courtesy which he had himself accorded to the
senator from Michigan.
Mr.. BUTLER expressed his willingness to yield the
floor under the circumstances and said that he should be
the last refuse to extend any courteses upon that
floor He would now yield the floor with cordiay, but
intimated that tomorrow he should wish TO have the
special order adhered 10.
Mr. FOOTE moved that the resolution be referred to
the Committee on Territories.
The VICE PRESIDENT inquired il the senator from
South Carolina Mr. BurIERl withdrew his motion to
lay il upon the table. ssr
Mr.. BUTLER at first assenied. but, upon the sugges
ton OF several senator's said that he would prefer that il
should lie upon the table. ais s1l4
The question being then taken the motion 10 lay the
resolution on the table, il was agreed 10. 4s
Mr.. SEWARD gave notice that he would al the proper
time, move to amend the resolution just laid the table
by adding the following
Propded That In each and every bill for the orgsnza
ton OF territorial government In either OF said Territories,
shall be enacted neither
Gnr ina all mi a In Hfofr