The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-24
DAILY.
TIL e r E PU B Lie.
SPEECH

HON. JOHN L. TAYLOR, OF OHIO.
On the California and Territorial Questions;
delfoered IN the House Of Representatives. o.
the United States, June A, 1859.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole on
the state OF the Union, and rcsuming the consider
alton Of the California question, the President q
message in relation to that subject beng before the
committee
Mr.. TAYLOR said
Mr.. CHAIRMAs: ought, perhaps, to make some
apology TO the committee for the desultory nature
OF the remarks may make, by stating the fact,
that speak without premedtaton, in order TO
avail myself Of the opportunity offered; but /
shall now proceed to address the committee.
The subject before us is the message of the Pres-
dent OF the United States, transmitting information
in answer TO a resolution of the House of Repre-
sentatlvcs, OF the 3lst OF December, lS49 in rrla
ton to California and New Mexico. And, although
intend to express my opinion in relation to this
subject with that boidness and freedom which
should characterize the discussion of great public
questions by an American statesman, do not de-
sire TO say any thing personally unknd or discour
teous'to those who may differ from me. must,
however, in the first place, declare my decisive dis
sent from the extreme opinions which have been
expressed on either side OF this hail. and avow my
self in favor OF justice, moderation the Union, and
the preservation of our republican constitutional
liberty. shrink from no opinions have hereto
fore expressed. stand by my speeches made dur
ing the two sessions of the last Congress, upon all
the points and questions therein discussed And to
those who wish to know more fully, and in detail
all my opinions upon the great political questions
which have agitated us during my service in Con-
gress, respectfully refer to what have heretofore
said, as the true exposition Of my views and the
determinations Of my best judgment.
On the 24th OF January, in the present year, the
Presidents special message now under considcra-
ton, was sent to US. That message, and the ac-
companying documents, forming volume Of near
ly 900 pages have but recently been printed and
laid upon our tables. But the same has been
lac aFal he .,NII k.,. lie.
tened to the violent and angry debates upon this
subject, until my patience has been tried to the
most, and my heart almost sickens, at the want of
moderation, the want Of generous forbearancc
the want OF mutual respect and courtesy, some
times exhibited in our proceeding in this House.
During the early part of this session the gentle
man from North Carolina, (Mr. VENABLE,) who
has just addressed the committee in speech char
acterlzed by his usual ardor, and too highly
wrought, In my opinion, when describing what he
termed the aggrcssons of the North in relation TO
negro slavery, charged all those from the North,
who voted for the prohibition OF slavery in the Ter
ritores, as disunionists, if correctly understood
him; and If was mistaken, ! shall even now be
most happy TO be corrected. Ii was my intention,
at that time, TO have entered my protest against
this wholesale dcnunciation of northern men and
northern representatives, and TO have denounced
IT, as now do, as an unfounded and unwarranted
calumny against large portion of the people Of
this country, who are as intelligent and patriotic,
and as truly devoted to the Union and the Consti-
tuition, as the people of any section of the United
States.
Sir, this Wholesale denunciation of great sec
ton OF the Union 10 as much at war with the true
spirit of our Government, and the mutual lorbear-
ancc and respect for the opinions of good men at
the North, as are some of the sentiments of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. HowE,) who
has just addressed the committee dissent from
him and his colleague (Mr. STEvESs) in their de-
sire To draw Gordon of free States around the slave
holding States, with view Of forcing the owners
of negroes into gradual and prospective emanci-
patton. / entertain no such opinion, and give no
vote here which may exclude slavery from the new
Territories with the view oiforcing my fellow cit-
zcns of the South 10 emancipate their slaves. My
votes, heretofore given 10 exclude slavery from
Oregon and California, were given with the most
sincere and patriotic desire 10 promote the pros
perity of the whole people, North and South, East
and West.
could not but rccollcct that, as carly az I7s4
Mr.. Jefferson and others, in framing plan for tho
government Of the western territory, extending
from the thirty first degree OF north latitude our
northern imits proposed 10 prohibit slavery, after
$500, in the ten States which he desired TO estsb
lish. These States would have occupied the coun-
try cast Of the Mississippi, commencing about the
northern line Of West Florida, and embracing all
the western country that had been or might be
ccded 10 the United States by the original thirteen
States. And myyotcs i'm reference 10 our own Ter
rtorics were given TO exclude slavery from them,
with no desire To prevent any southern man from
cmgrating thithcr but to promote the true inter
ests Of southern and northern Each might
jusuce.
No, cir, ! do not wish to interfere with slavery
In the States, or in any way 10 abrdgc comprO-
init the rights of those who own savcs under the
Constitution Of the United Ststcs The relation Of
master and slave should be left where the Constitu
ton left ito be regulated, upheld, abolished
by the people Of the several States in which il
lists. There can be no other safe rule Of conduct,
and no other just Observance Of the provisions Of
our Constitution, ia relation 20 this subject, when
ever VIC, as Representatives in the Congress Of the
United States, speak act In reference % slavery
in the States. Sir, believe that the people Of the
southern States are fully competent to take care Of
this subject for Themselves and, for ono, do not
wish 10 intermeddle with IT, have no doubt, that
whether we consider negro slavery as Il exists in
the United States great as Il is esteemed
by many, or as political blessing, as many others
maintain; That the people amongst whom II exists
are the true Judges; and. from their information
about IT, their daily oversight Of it, and their ad-
mltted intelligence, humanity, and patriotism,
they enabled 20 decide whether il j. best for the
two races-tbe white and the blsck-as they cr-
isted at the commencement Of the government,
and as they now exist TO continue IN their present
relation 10 each other.
These matters cbeerfully commit TO them; and,
20 long as they satisfied with this relation IN
tho States where IL now exists DO not think " Is
our business 70 intermeddle with Il. Time, and
Tree interchange OF opinions, and that great teach
cr, experience, will solve the difficulties that may
exist and am content 10 leave the subject in the
hands Of those who beet qualified 10 Judge OF u.
ABOVE All, SIR, AZ W hlg mere IN my place IN ule
House OF Representatives, ! wish 20 disclaim any
and all desire amongst those ] have the honor 20
represent, 10 force their opinions tins subject
upon the saveholding States, or force those who
own slaves 10 emancipate them. Emancipation,
gradual and prospective even. II ever accomplished
in any Of the southern slavehodng States, will not
be and cannot be accomplished by force but, in
time, may be, by enlightened public opinion,
rendered efficient and strong by the higher and
nober impulses Of religion and humanity ope-
rating on the minds OF the slave-owners them
selves. And I do not wish TO entertain or express
any other thsn the kindest feelings Of friendship
and regard for my fellow. citizens Of the southern
States. They are our brethren, and towards them,
as well towards the citizens Of the North cher
sh none other than the best wishes for their peace
prosperity, and happiness.
Having said thus much in relation TO what |
deem soIno ofthe extreme opinions on both slider OF
this question:, now wish 10 call the attention OF
the committee 10 the Wholesale denunciaions Of the
President Of the United States for bis official con-
duct in relation TO the Territories Of California and
/ New Mexico. We hear repeated, day by day in
this hall, and the opposition press of the country
reiterstes the charge, that the President of the
United States has been guilty Of a usurpation OF
power and violation OF the Constitution, In doing e
what he conceived to be his duty in relation to those
| Torrftarfes