The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-03-15
Mr.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.


extracts as we think most important for the pre-
sent temper of the public mind, emitting those
OF more abstract nature. We may say that
the speech, as whole, brcathes harmony and
torbearance; and, if the same spirit prevails
over others, the very best results may follow It's
delivery. The danger, however, is not over
for the South; and it becomes her people to
maintain their position with unfinching firm
ness. until their rights arc not only acknowl-
edged, but until they are secure in her own
keeping.
Extracts from AR. Wcbs'er's Speech.
He alluded at some length to the conscien-
tious belief, pervadng large portion of the
community, that slavery is a sin, and incompat-
ible with the christian sentiments OF brotherly
kindness He expressed his own conviction that
there was an honest belief of this character
But there were also men in the community, who
in the too hot pursuit of one duty, forget that
there are many others which they overlook
there were men who supposed that they could
distinguish between right and wrong, with the
certainty of an algcbraic equation; men who
thought nothing good that is not perfect; those,
who if they see spot upon the sun, consider
that good reason for striking the sun from hea-
ven; there were men too impatient to wait for
the slow and gradual working of great and
moral causes; they forget that the miracles of
Christ in 1900 years have converted but a small
portion of the world. 1t was this state of feel
ing which had done much toward creating the
present difficulties.
Returning to the admission of Texas, he ad-
verted to his own position thereon, quoting from
his speeches and acts to show that he had al.
ways been opposed to it, because he knew that
whoever possessed Texas, it would be slave
territory, and he was unwilling to extend that
institution. He had time and again expressed
himself strongly opposed to the introduction of
any new slave States or the acquisition of slave
territory. Upon that point he knew no change
in his sentiments at the present time. Sensa-
tion.] He had on one occasion, he believed,
expressed himself against the acquisition ofany
more territory-north, south, east or west lie
had expressed his belief in the Spartan Maxim:
"Improve, adorn what you have; seek no fur
tber.'' But what was our present condition ~
Texas had been admitted with all her territory,
with the institution of slavery and an irrepeala.
ble law, by which, if new States arc erected out
of any portion of her territory, they shall be
slave States. AndAe wished it to be distinctly
understood that he considered this government
solemnly bound by law to create new slave
States out of Texas, wheneverher territory shall
contain a population sufficient therefor.
Slavery was excluded from California and
New Mexico by the law of nature, which had
erected impassable barriers to its introduction.
This he considered as fixed fact that that
country was to be free That was settled by
the arrangements of Pr0yidence, and could not
be changed.
Regarding this as fixed fact, he would say
that he could not vote for the insertion into any
bill, giving territorial governments to the terri
tories, any provision prohibiting slavery there
any re-enactment of the will of God.
He would put into it no Wilmot Proviso, no.
thing that was SO useless and nugatory. He
meant to stand Or fall upon the proposition, that
every foot of the territory in this country has
character fixed and irrepealable, and which can
not be changed in any way. In this connec-
ton he said that the proviso in the case OF Ore
gon was nugatory and senselesS, and observed,
that if there were any of the Northern democ-
racy, who now desired to put Wilmot Proviso
into an act, giving government to California, he
supposed the Same men would feel it necessary
to assert the Same principle, for the purpose of
saving the snow clad hills of Canada from the
foot Of the slave, in case she should be annexed.
In the next place Mr.. Webster proceeded to
consider the complaint made by each section of
the Union against the other, beginning with the
complaints of the South, and passing over that
in relation to the manner of collecting and dis.
bursting the revenue. He alluded to the diff
Guilty arising from the failure of the North to
give proper aid in the capture and delivering up
Offugitive slaves In this he thought the North
was in the wrong, and the South right. 1t was
cause of complaint upon the part of the South,
and one which the North ought to remove
This duty was imposed by the constitution, and
it was not consistent with morality for northern
men and legislators to attempt to evade this
provision. Congress ought to pass some law
removing the evil; for one, he designed support.
ing the bill. Measures were now pending in
the Senate having that object in view.
In connection with this point he made some
remarksupon the propriety Of Legislative instruc-
tons, obecting to them, and saying in effect,
that ifinstructions should be sent to him in re-
lation to any matter affecting the interests of
the country, he should pay no more regard to
them than he would if appointed an arbiter to
decide some matter in dispute between individ.
ualst the instructions of him who appointed
him.
r-.l:.>,- =, .l,o ,,oxt ,,loca tbo ooitotion