The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08

venton was framing the Constitution, mat Con-
| gress framing the ordinance OF ST. There
was a perfect concurrence between the two bodies.
The ordinance applied 10 all the territory then be-
longing TO the United States, being that northwest
OF the river Ohio.
Virginia had a few years previously ceded to the
| United States all this territory. II was magnan-
imous act II one of the fairest claims Of Vir-
gnia TO respect and gratitude, and only second
to that other claim, that from her counsels and
from her statesmen first emanated the idea of form
| ing general Constitution.
This ordinance was in full operation when the
Constitution was adopted and the government put
| IN operation in 1852
II was clear rs an historical TRUTH that at the
framing of the Constitution il was the general ex-
pectation that upon the ceasng Of importation of
slaves, slavery in the country would begin to run
| out. II also historical truth that far
power existed in the Congress to prohibit the spread
of slavery in the United States, that power was
ercised to the fullest extent
| The Senator from Carolina had said that this or
dinance the first of the series OF deprivations
OF the privileges and equalities OF the South, but
that 1t was done by the confederation. 1t was the
act OF the confederation, but was done with the
concurrence of the whole South. The ordinance
was adopted by an unanimous vote by the south
ern States, and the only vote against it north
ern one Here he might pause and reflect on the
perfect accord in the opinion of the North and
South on this subject at that time.
But opinion had changed both at the North and
the South Slavery was not now considered at the
South as an evil Soon after these events, change
II u
showed itself-the North going more strong and
warm against slavery, the South more strong and
warm in favor of it, What has been the cause of
the change in the opinion of the South?-a change
which has given slavery a new nomenclature? 1t
is now an Institution, and not scourge-not a
curse. He supposed it to be owing to the sudden
rising and rapid growth of the cotton planting in
terest 1t was this gave the desire to increase the
slave labor, and to spread it.
In l79O-'9l, the exports of cotton not more,
annually, than forty fifty thousand dollars now,
perhaps, it is hundred millions year. AT that
time there was more wax indigo and rice raised
than cotton. Ii was not believed in England that
any cotton raised; and Mr. Jefferson says, that
after the treaty by which American produce was
allowed to be carried to England in American ves-
sells, a vessel loaded with cotton was denied per-
mission to land by the officers of the custom house;
they declaring that cotton was not raised in this
country.
They know better now. The age of cotton has
been golden age TO the South 1t has excited a
desire which has grown what it fed upon, and
it became the rage for new area of territory to
raise cotton.
Il In 1902, Alabama was added to the confederacy.
In 1903, Louisiana, including what composes
the slave States OF Missouri and Arkansas In 1919,
Florida was purchased and here was more slave
holding territory.
The Senator from South Carolina said that he
had seen in the policy of the Government, in the
mode of regulating the revenue, causes for the
more rapid growth of the North. This may be so.
But If any operation of government can be shown
it can be nothing to the operations Of the govern
| ment to promote slave territory 1t not the
operations of time that brought in Florida and
Louisiana, but the acts of man And among these
acts Of man might be included the annexation of
| Texas in l845. This last closed the chapter and
settled the account, for the annexation of Texas by
the resolutions adopted did not leave one acre of
land that not settled slave territory. By
| those resolutions it was guaranteed by law.
| There was not foot Of land in the United States
the character of which, as far as slavery Free
Soil was concerned, which was not settled firmly by
high and irrepeaable laws At the time of the an
nexation of Texas, the Senator from South Carolina
was at the head of the State Department. there was
then in the Senate a gentleman remarkable for his
activity and adrotness, who has since been Score
| tary OF the Treasury, (Mr. Walker, and between
them both they had settled the character of the
territory of Texas for all time. IL neatly done
close piece of joiner's work.
Mr.. w. read that part of the resolutions of an
nexation OF Texas particularly referring to new
slave States to be marked of her territory with
her consent, and making this part of the com
pact.
He said that by these resolutions il was solemnly
secured that out of the territory of States
TO the number OF four may be formed, those south
of 36o 3V to be slave States those north to be free
No act Of Congress can add strength 10 this guar
antee. Texas accepts the terms and comes in upon
them. He saw no way in which the Government
can release itself from this obligation. Slavery was
fixed there by positive guarantee.
The resolutions provide that free States can be
is required. How could such compact be formed
II the North had the overshadowing power which
the Senator from South Carolina says it has had1
In the House Of Representatives these resolutions
were adopted by eighty southern and fifty northern
votes. In the Senate, by vote of twenty TO
twenty-five. OF this twenty seven, thirteen we're
from the free States-four were from New Eng
land. Nearly one-half Of the vote was Free Soil
| votes. He knew nothing remarkable in history
this affair. This territory Of Texas-over which
| bird could not fly in a week-annexed, and posi-
lively guaranteed TO be slave territory, and three
fourths Of the liberty loving members Of the House
from Connecticut, and half in Senate voted for
II. One vote was given for ii from Maine, one
from Massachusetts. These men called themselves
the northern Democracy. They went for the ac-
QUESTION OF territory, they went for the introduce
ton OF world, and after its introduction they
propose to apply to 1t the saving grace Of the Viii
mot proviso.
Z TwoSenators- from Connecticut and one from
New fork-voted for the resolutions OF annexa-
ton with their eyes wide open 10 the fact that the
then Secretary Of State had openly and with man.
illness advocated its annexation because Of its being
Mr. CALHOUN said that Great Britain, with the
aid Of Abolitionists here, endeayoring 10 abol-
ish slavery in Texas. II was on this ground he adj
vocatcd its annexation.
Mr.. WEBSTER said il was nearly the same
thing. Those two Senators who had voted 20 an.
mex Texas-who had voted for acquiring new ter
ritory-have gone home 10 lead the great Free Soil
party. They had left 10 the Senate the odium OF
new slave States, or the greater odium 10 vote 70
violate that guarantee, while they have gone home
and are now engaged in making flaming Frce-soil
speeches.
Mr.. w. then gave history Of his course on the
subject Of the annexation Of Texas and on the
principles Of the Wilmot proviso, showing that
from the year 1896, he had uniformly opposed the
former and sustained the latter; reading from
speeches delivered ON these subjects. He had voted
against the bill 10 consummate the annexation OF
Texas He had been always opposed TO the
ation accession acquisition Of territory north
/, south; he always adopted the Spartan maxim
Improve, adorn what you have, seek no further -
But in the present state Of affairs, he could sec
no other mode Of proceeding than 70 carry out the
guarantees Of the Texas annexation resolutions
, whenever the proper time comes. lie may not be
there, but he wished 10 be understood that this
Government is bound 10 admit new States out OF
Texas territory; and out Of the territory south OF
Z 36o 80 admit them slave States. That was the
meaning of the compact made by the northern De.
mocracy. He would carry IL out.
! In his opinion slavery could not exist in Califor.
mia and New Mexico, at least as IL exists in this
, country. II impossible to carry slavery
there il do any other natural mpossbiIity
/ - a