Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-07-06
SPEECH OF Mr.. DUER,
OF NEW YORK,
On The Presidents California Message.

Mr.. DUER spoke substantially as follows Mr. (,ho;,,.
new question has arIsen-a question, believe never be-
fore formally presented and discussed in Congress- tn 80
tsman who has Just taken his sea! Mr Ross) has alluded
to incident Of early period Of the session. when one
the Representatives of Georgia declared himself -
contingencies for dsunon and another Representative Of h
State M STEPHENs reiterated the decara ions Of bis
which gave pain, because knew
that both OF those gentlemen only great talents
and influence but had boldly and successfully resisted in the
last Congress- similar that which they have
seemed willing to lend themselves The gentleman from
Pennsylvania, in whose mind sngulary and ndssou-
bly, connected the ideas of the Union and the
Of particular party in the Union has chosen TO select Tor
illustration the instance Of prominent Wings is well un-
dersood however, here that there no material difference
in this respect between the gentlemen referred TO and the
great of Southern Democratic members while several
OF the latter have publicly assumed and others are known
maintain positions greatly advance. Those contingencies
upon which the gentlemen from Georgia have pronounced
for disunion may or may not happent is not perhaps
now very probable that they will happenothers however,
have placed their opposition to the Union grounds which,
they shall be adhered and if they shall be able to induce
those whom they represent adopt their views must iney
taby place them in hostile attitude to their Government
For California, with her boundaries will be admitted into
the Union and you will have establishment OF slavery
o if you prefer the phrase, recognition of the constu-
onal existence OF slavery in any part of these Territories
north SOUTH east west any line of latitude or Ion
gtude Neither will you have repeal Of any existing law
prohibiting slavery. Such, at least is my Judgment
We heard great deal in the last Congress about the
odous Wilmot proviso To listen to Southern gentlemen
them one would not suppose that they contendng
slavery, but that they simply resisting offensive and un-
constitutional prohibory Legislation. It was at the means
not the end that their nvecves were hurled Now howev-
er they tell that what they want carry their negro
slaves into these Territories and that the particular mode in.
which they may be prevented from doing this to them
matter Of supreme Indifference ALWAYS had notion that
this was what they wanted am glad that it is now frankly
avowed relieves from the scrutiny Of great quantity
OF metaphysical subey Il is not only, too the manly
way but seems to to be putting their case upon the
strongest ground It enables them TO discuss it upon its me-
rs rs has been done with ability by several gentlemen
and among others, by the gentleman from Georgia. mr.
IooMBs Some gentlemen have been pleased speak
OF the Wllmot proviso in kind and liberal way, for which
feel grateful believe that there those who would prefer
IL Nevertheless, as its adoption might place power to do
mischief in the hands Of persons unfrendy to the Union
am disposed to inquire whether the necessity for its enactment
may not be avoided.
What is the Wmot provso 1t is an insrumentali,y-a
means to attain certain end have supersttous venera
ton for the FORM That which the best means at one time
may not be another. .,.t #
Some months ago Of the Representatives of Ohio M
RooT introduced resolution nstrnctng the Committee on
Territories to bring bill establishing territorial
IN oil that part Of the territories included within the
boundaries Of California and prohibiting slavery therein
voted in small minority of the Northern embes-I believe
there were but two Northern Wings my coeagues) who
voted with meo lay that resolution upon the table am
satisfied with that vote. know it was an honest vote
think under the circumstances, it bold one. was
quite aware Of all the hazards which, personally exposed
me; but thought important that the movement should be
promptly arrested aud willing for that purpose to en-
counter them. thought that there other pels that
way peris to California, pers the Union may per-
laps bring my judgment into contempt with gentlemen
saying but such my opinion tits the opinion Of the
bles and most experienced statesmen in the country Twas
determined that would not for absracton for pact
al purpose whatever involve the country such danger
vas determined tina. would not directly or indirectly give
ana and comfort" to those whom believed to nourish de-
gns hostile to the Union 1t my policy to strengthen
friends in the South-no place weapons in the hands
If our enemies.
do not doubt that the vote, the final vote by which
Roots resolution" laid upon the table, and in which
egre that accident prevented from taking part has done
great good II has done precisely what for one intended
md desired it should do 1t has dsarmed dsunionists
has stripped them Of their power We all feel and know
his The scheme for Southern Confsderacy has received
fatal arrow in its side-hthaGs aruado. And the Nash
vile Convention, instead Of torch light fame will
prove but the expiring wick of the candle
II has pleased the honorable member from Ohio impute
renal motives to those who voted to lay his resolution upon
be table-a desire to Executive favor. is impos
be for any man in public life escape such mputaons
There is scarcely be give such are the differences
II opinion, of which the motive may be pure and may
lot be base He must ordinarily trust for his vndcaon
he reputation he may have established As of those
implicated, feel that there is nothing in my character to
which the charge of the honorable member from Ohio will
dhere. None who have known me- wherever have lived
md whose good opinion regard, will believe that have
cted or capable Of acting upon this question from sor-
lid motives. And may be pardoned, under the circum
tances the egoism Of saying snce for my action in this
natter, have been pretty extensively denounced in class
newspapers that came here at the Of this
esson fully approaching the critical condition Of the country
With respect to this question Of slavery and determined
ar as man anayze his D,otves for the real and
permanent good OF the country, and make all personal
ideraons and all partisan considerations subordinate
nd came quite conscious Of the humbleness Of my po-
itonto speak, and to act and vote, according my
lest Judgment for justice and for the Union Others have
rough, to that task high gs and power and influence to
which have no claim singeness of purpose.
impute corrupt motives to man here not because
oppose that such motives exist and indeed
elty certain to exist any body of two hundred and thirty
men, because may not perhaps sometimes think that
able to detect them but because is forbidden to do So
well by the rules of parliamentary proprey by the rules
hat regulate the intercourse Of gentlemen is for every
member Of the House to choose in this respect his
make such imputaons But does the honorable member
rom Ohio suppoe-palrioic doubtless he is-that if or
hers disposed do So there any thing in the posi-
ion of HIMSELF and of those who like him. deal in menacpg
ones and gestures and general supervision
Northern suspended heads
he thnnders Of popular ndgna,on and standing ready
Pades hand to dig political gravesdoes he suppose
here any thing that position that protects its occupants
gainst similar attacks Is there but that Of
eskng Executive favor Is there no basencss but that of
Which public man may be guilty May favor be else
where sought by unworthy arts And there species
mental prostitution, that tracs in false and exaggerated
entimens stimulates hatreds and unworthy passions and
andes to vtiated tastes that is quite degrading the
vdua and more dangerous the STATE than the paness
hat sells vote for office respect earnest abol
lons respect an earnest disunons as respect every
hing that is genuinei for nothing else, because it is
Genuine. But have opinion that there those, North
md South who incapable Of rising the height OF political
uesion, seek only in sectional agitation, the mean rewards
low ambition. So when the wind high the