The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-29

Mr.. CHAIRMAN: From the commencement Of the
unhappy sectional controversy in which we
now engaged, have seen and felt its danger in all
its length and breadth, and beg leave, in advance
of what have to say this occasion, TO declare
that am willing to make any sacrifice consistent
with honor and the just rights of those represent,
TO restore quiet and harmony to distracted coun-
try. Feeling deep and engrossing interest in the
subject, engrossipg as to absorb all mere party
allegiance, do not hesitate further 10 declare my
entire willingness to unite with any party or any
set of men, disconnected from all parties, who will
settle this question upon just and enduring basis.
That it must be settled, and that it will be settled,
cannot allow myself to doubt II will be settled,
if we go about il as become patriots and states
men, determined at all hazards to preserve invio-
late the Constitution and the form Of government it
secures, and under which have SO long and SO
happily lived.
That have reached crisis in the history of our
country, who has been attentive observer Of
the signs of the times, it seems to me, doubtin
my judgment, fearful, an alarming crisis. Thatour
political fabric is in imminent peril no one, think,
who is not wilfuy blind can have failed to see. A
deep, pervadng, almost universal discomfort exists
in nearly half the States of this Union, the
apprehended fixed purpose and determination Of
the other half having large majority in this House,
to persist in course of Legislation which, if con.
the friends of constitutional liberty throughout the
world On side, we have heard of dsunion
the ultimate remedy for the threatened evil; while
the other, the not less horrible alternative of a
Profoundly and painfully impressed with this
of things shall endeavor, in the short space ofme
allotted TO me, TO present my views in that spirit OF
calm and dispassionate inquiry demanded by the
ina gnitude and importance of the occasion.
Prior to the formation of the Federal Constitu-
ton, the States composing the confederacy were
completely sovereign and independent The peo-
pie, sc not as individuals composing whole nation,
but as composing the distinct and independent
States," delegated portion of their sovereignty to
a General Government, taking care to define Its
limits and restrict its powers. Constitution was
adopted, partly federal and partly national in its
character. In the Senate it was federal; in this
House national. In the operation of its powers, il
national in the extent of its powers, ii was
strictly federal Altogether, it was " the result OF
a spirit of amty, and of that mutual Difference and
concession" characteristic of the patriots of that
day, and without which it could never have been
made The subject of slavery even then to
some extent an element of discord. In the States
where il existed it was left TO their sole and exclu
sve control No jurisdiction was delegated over il
TO the General Government The rights growing
out of this relation were existing, and all that
was done was to extend to them protection and
guarantee their full enjoyment constitutional
injunction to deliver up persons held to labor in
State and escaping into another, was one of the
guarantees of protection. Such persons were made
the qualified basis OF representation this floor,
and the foreign slave trade was tolerated until the
year 1908.
| may also here mention that, in the convention
which framed the Constitution, there was diver
Slty oil opinion between the navigating and nom
navigating States with respect 10 the commercial
clause of the Constitution. The States not engaged
in navigation were apprehensive that the States
which were 80 engaged might be disposed TO secure
to themselves improper advantages In the carrying
trade. Accordingly, in the first draught Of the
Constitution special provision inserted that
"no navigation acts should be passed without the
assent of twothrds Of the members present in each
House."
AT the same time clause inserted declaring
that Congress should never prohibit the importation
of such persons as any OF the states might think
proper to admit, nor lay any tax on the persons 30
imported. These two clauses were connected, and
created no little difficulty in their adjustment
portion Of the slave holding States was opposed 10
the indefinite continuance oi this foreign slave trade
and Virginia particularly protested againstit Some
Of the northern States having the carrying trade
were more favorably inclined 70 II. The whole
subject referred TO a committee OF one from
each State. That committee, by way Of compro-
mise, reported a clause declaring that Congress
should not prohibit such importation prior TO the
year 1900, and against the clause requiring the
sent Of two-thrds of the members Of each House TO
pass navigation acts. The report was amended by
extending the time for such importation TO the year
1908.
The States in favor of this extension we're New
Hampshire, Massachusetts,, Connecticut, Mary
land, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
Those against IL we're Virginia Delaware, New Jer-
sey, and Pennsylvania. The arguments used by
northern men at that day in favor Of this extension
were, that the States themselves were the best
judges of their particular interest, and that what
enriches part enrlches the whole-the more slaves
the more produce 10 employ the carrying trade;
the more consumption also; and the more OF this,
the more revenue for the common country. These
arguments pointing out the close alliance IN interest
between the great sections led 20 the adoption
Of those clauses in the Constitution in relation TO
commerce and the foreign slave trade as they now
stand. The intimate and reciprocal interest and
conneSon between the North and South was felt,
acknowledged, and acted on, and made the basis
of their union.
The monopoly Of the shipping interest,
anticipated, ever since the adoption Of the Consti
tuition, has been in the hands Of the North. We
have, without complaint on the part Of the South,
extended TO the fostering protection ofthe General
Government. IL has had almost the entire carry
ing trade Of the products Of the South, and the mo.
time our vast possessions upon the Pacific coast
The immense and lucrative trade arising from the
exports Of the products of the South is the result Of
slave labor. IL would not be a difficult task TO
show that amount is annually realized, and goes
into the Golfers Of tho North, directly from slave
labor, fully equal TO the entire nett profit from sa
very throughout the South. The General Govern
ment tolerated the foreign slave trade for period
Of twenty years, and during all that time our bre
thren Of the North we're engaged in this traffic ]
say il in spirit Of rcpruach-they fattened and
grew rich upon IL. They aided directly and active
y in swelling the black tide Of slavery in our midst
and now that il has become interwoven with every
fibre of our political fabric, put il their magma
nimty, and that Of justice which trust blind
fanaucism has not altogether obhterated, if it is
right TO array themselves ia hostile attitude against
il, and to attempt 70 WELD the powerful arm Of the
General Government against wherever blow can
be struck. need scarcely say that all the States
came into III e Union perfect equals. race Of
people, differing from in color and in habits
inferior in the scale Of civilization, and bearing
relation 10 us, which has been recognised ne prop
erty--was found 10 exist in many Of the States
These States refused TO delegate any authority to
the General Government over the subject, except
that Of protection. The Union was made with
slavery, leaving in full force all existing rights
with the additional sanctions OF the Constitution
The rights and property Of the nom .saveholding
States have, at all times, been fully and thoroughly
protected. How, ask in the spirit of calm remon.
STRANGE, has Il been with the property Of slave
holding States I intend 10 frame no indictment
against the North. make no charge based on in
dividual agitation or hnaticsm. | pass by the
daily, hourly, incessant attacks, made in every
form which the ingenuity of man can devise, by
parties factions in the North, against the whole
frame work of southern society, contemplating as
the end to be effected separation Of its elements
a radical change in their relation.
make no complaint even Of the petitions now
before the committee, of which am member lst.
To abolish slavery in this district; I'd. To abolish