The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31

.be has saved us from the difficulties and dangers
u,b,ch would have attended an attempt 10 seite ~
s. hc, here While some OF US will gostlil further,
and without intending any offence 70 otheis VIZ
,hsnk God openly, that this infant Hercules OF the
Weat has strangled the serpents In the cfadie 'nat
-" ,nu,hf,I piant Of the Pacific presents himself
=, M self dedicated TO freedom, and stands sell
l.dged and self posted sentinel side oy sioe win
Oreeon-against the introduction OF slavery, 10y
sea or by land into any part OF that trans Alpine
,sr1toryi Had il been Otherwise, sir, and had the
soil and climate proved in any degree favorable
Who can tell what renewal of the horrors OF the md
ls Uassage might have been witnessed In transport
,ng slaves under the American flag into regions SO
remote and difficult Of access
.1Rut what il 10 become of our equilibrium" says
an honorable friend from South Carolina or Alapa-
ma "What security are the southern States 10
have against the growing preponderance oil north
Mr. Chairman, half the troubles which have con-
vnlsed the old world, for two centuries past have
crown out of an agined necessity of preserving
the balance of power, or maintaining what Is now
denominated a sectional equilibrium. AND so u
will be here. The very idea OF THIS equihpriun Is
founded on views of sectional jealousy, secuohai
fear sectional hostility and hate. Il pre-suPposes
an encroaching and oppressive spirit on one side or
the other, which waits only for the power and the
onportunity 10 make itself felt; and depend upon
IT, sir, i. will produce the very state OF things
which il supposes But no such state OF things ex-
lists now.
the idea that the North has any hostility 10 the
SOUTH or that northern men, as class, arc deslr-
Gus of iniurng even OF ritatng, their southern
brethren. They know that the interests oil all
parts of the country bound up together IN the
same bundle of life death, for the same good or
evil destiny, and that no one member OF the Con
iederacy can suffer without the whole body suffer
ing with il. .'Unum ri commune percil,n; una sa-
lus." They desire-irom mere selfish interest
of their own, if you will have il so-the prosper
ity and welfare OF the southern States, and rejoice
at every indication of their increasing wealth and
power. They believe, indeed, That the worst enc,
my of these States is that which they cherish 50
jealously and 50 passionately within their own
bosom They believe slavery 10 have originated
in a monstrous wrong. They believe its contlnu-
nnce TO be a great evil. They are, undoubtedly,
of opinion that in this day OF civilization and chris
tanity il would well become those who arc respon-
sibe for its continuance to be looking about at
least for some prospective and gradual system py
which at some far distant if not at some earlier
day, il may be brought to an end. They are ready,
as believe, bear their share OF the cost and sac
rifice of any such system. But they know that
they themselves have no power over the subject.
They acknowledge that 50 far as slavery in the
States is concerned, they possess no constitutional
right TO interfere with it in any way whatever II
there be any thing upon which the whole North ID
united and in which OF all parties, oil all pro-
LESSONS of all conditions, agree, it is in recog-
nising in clear and unmistakable characters, as 10
slavery within the States, constitutional prohlbl-
ton OF interference.
But, Mr.. Chairman, this idea that free State Ii
never to be admitted to the Union without slave
State to match it, Is, in my Judgment, as linpracu
cable AS it is unjustihable. We shall have to ente
upon fresh career OF annexation and conquest L
carry it outfit it is to be carried out at all Whei
Texas shall have been exhausted by the admission
of the two or three more slave States which IL ha
been strongly contended that we have airead.
stipulated to admit, you will have 10 go farther AM
farther South to find fresh material to manuiactur
slave States out of, for the sake Of equilibrium
Walter Scott, in one Of his inimitable essay:
under the sobriquet of Malachi Malagrowther, tell
af n IF he steward
which had such passion for regularity, that whe
apoacher, or a rogue OF any sort, was caught an
put in the pillory one side OF the gate, he ga.
half a crown TO an honest laborer 10 stand in II
other pillory opposite TO him This, sir, was a
for uniformity's sake, and to preserve the squiia
rum. And we shall have 10 adopt similar cours
If this idea of equilibrium il TO be adopted; we sha
be called on systematically to plant slavery upo
free soil, if not To put manacles upon Tree men, &c
unformity's sake.
Sir, you did not wait for free State 10 come
hand in hand with Texas. You regarded no prir
ciples OF equilibrium uniformity on that occasion
You brought her in to disturb the equilibrium the
existing, and TO secure for the South prepondei
ance in at least branch Of the Government
And with this example in our immediate view; Il
North, the free States, cannot but feel aggrieye'
if the admission Of California is to be made in an
degree dependent upon considerations Of this sor
We do not say that she has an absolute right 10
admitted to- day OF TO morrow. Bot we do say, til
rejection or a postponement OF her admission
mere grounds Of sectional equilibrium, would
an offence without either provocation or justine
ton.
And now, sir, entertaining such views, me-
hardly add that, in my Judgment, Californ
ought TO be admitted TO the Union without mo
delay, as a separate, independent measure. a
opposed 10 any scheme for qualifying couplin
II with other arrangements am opposed 10 a
omnibus bills, and all amagamation projects.
IL unjust 70 California TO embarrass, and perhaJ
peril, her admission, by mixing her up with ma
tiers Of n controyer1ed character. IL IL still moi
unjust TO large majority Of this House, who desii
70 record their names'distnctly for her admissio
az State, 70 deny them the proper, Legitimate
parliamentary mode Of doing 80, by anne1ing
the same ball provisions against which not few
them are solennly pledged. What would soutl
ern gentlemen say, II we were wantonly 70 lnsi
on inserting WilmOt proyiso in the CaliiOrn
bilH Let them forbear 10 teach Us bloody instru
tons, which may return 10 plague the inyento
The ingredients Of the poisoned chalice may yet
commended 10 their own lips. Let them remeu
her, that there may be point Of honor at q
North a. well az at The South. Let them remen
Der, that the same voice Of patriotism which cri
70 the North " give up" says TO the South ais
keep not back" Let them reflect, how far IL
generous towards those northern members W
have consented thus far 10 waive any struggle !
the proviso, 10 drive them 10 the odious aftermath
Of rejecting what they desire 10 adopt, or Of acOp
ing what they may feel constrained TO reject.
And now. sir, turning from California, what 9
mainsi New Mexico and Deseret Utah. Al
shat We 60 do with them Nothing, nOthin
reply. which shall endsnger the harmony al
domestic peace Of these United States
Undoubtedly, Mr.. Chairman, my own hon,
impulse and earnest disposition would be 10 orga
IKE territorial governments over both Of them, Al
20 engraft upon those governments the priDcpl
u the ordinance Of 1851. i'll were consulting on
my own feelings, or what believe 10 be the wish
and views Of the people Of new England this vou
be my Undertaking course. Though believing,
do, that the laws Of Mexico aboshing slavery a
still in force there, would yet make assursn
doubly sure, and take bond Of fate against the
PRODUCTION of slavery into any territory where
docs not already exist.
But, sir, I am not for oyerturninR the Cover
meDt Of my country, for running any rick
90 disastrous a result, in order TO accomplish Il
object in the precise mode which would be M
satisfactory TO myself No, sir; nor would pr
such course pertinaciousy upon Congress, cy
although the consequences should be nothing ns
serious than TO plant sting IN the bosoms Of
people Of the South, OF TO leave an impression
their minds that they had been vrongod and
INFLATED by the Government Of their own counti
hold 20 the entire equality Of all the citizens
this Republic, and Of all the States Of this UniC
And while wholly deny that the course whic
have suggested would in any degree infringe up
tins equality, while can by means admit tha
Prohibition Of slavery in the Territories would G
crosch hairs breadth upon the just rights Of
southern States or the southern people, would J
willingly and gladly forbear from any unnecessa
act which could even give color 20 such an ids
ID y ~ "a ILL. In.