Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-02


please the erm Of the people Of the South for their
participation in this institution.
repeat all felt the force Of this argument. Let it be
offence If you please those who brought into the
try are responsible those who participate responsible
for s continuance when its abolition be made consistent
with their safety have felt The force of this argument
And what say the resolutions They express the opinion that
the institution offence against humanity They proceed
further furnish the vndcaon which the South have always
urged for themselves the fact that the institution enaed
them by those who had before them and that its
continuance with them rests upon nexorabe necessity Now
sir having this view Of the resolutions finding they presented
at the in which they branded the institution as
crme the in exculpaton Of the South could not
regard the sentiment mputaon upon them. II was
with this view that hazarded the remark which then
sdeTed and consider rather place one with
out the slightest idea il could give offence to any
But sir, does the assertion need proof Does the opinion
that the institution inconsistent with the dictates Of hu
many need proof 81
Sir. what has been the opinion, and what is the
opinion 4 the civilized world What has besnthe apguags
havs they hsd and what hss the world large said
and done this subject Why, sir, look abroad we
find the opinion of the civilized nations of Europe expressed
by their Great Britain has put end to the nsitu
ton France demolished it al single blow One Of the first
Of the French Republic speak of 1t as it is existing
the abolition of this institution totally, universally
absolutely, without reservation and without qualification
throughout her dominion. Sir, how did we feel and how
did this Senate act in regard that matter Have gentle
forgotten the resolutions Of congratulations and sympathy
and appreciation which transmitted from this body to
gentlemen forgotten the remark which thought proper to
make that OCCASION when expressing grati
cation that among the first acts of the Government with
whom sympahizing, and to whom we were extend
ing congratulations, the absolute and unqualified
ecuton of about which my humble constituents
not permitted to talk Yes, sir, the axe was put
the of the institution. twas done boldly promptly
decsvely and yet, the moment when thus
pressng our sympathes and extending congratulations
the subject when presented here from constituency repre-
sented this floor laid upon the table the qnes
ton Of reception. Now, sir find fault with that dspo
son Of the subject, long it brought here by the
oous anacism of people who had better let it alone So
long it is the topic Of demagogism and popular ex
citement, careno it presented here in that spirit it is
put under your table, But the subject presents itself in
different spirt- to US, have already remarked
uninvited and unwelcome 1t is intruder upon us but,
though intruder tmust be received for cannot
get rid of it. The issue made in respect these terrific
res in reference this institutions and it cannot be evaded
must be met and it must be decided for is impossible to
avoid it. Under these circumstances it the right Of every
State and of State in this Union to its sentiments
upon this engrossng subject 1t the right and duty In
this aspect Of the question: for every State express only
its opinion to the proprey Of extending this institution to
territories, but its opinion Of the institution ITSELF
But If was not right in the remark dropped the other
day with reference the views and opinions the civilized
word-with the exception perhaps of small portion of it in
which the institution exssf am in error, lei gentlemen
point to spot in the civilized world where the nst
tuition does exist and where that civilized people de-
mand its introduction Sir, who desires it Z! When and
where what portion of the globe do you find earnest
wish expressed for its introduction where it has not heretofore
existed What is the sentiment Of the people Of all
these Territories What the sentiment Of Oregon and
what is the sentiment of California She has presented
here constitution, which the people have attempted to
prohibit the institution. But, sir, need not go abroad for
material to vndcae my expression may appeal the
pressed opinions of The abest and the best of the South
the abet and the best whom this country has pro-
duced What the opinions Of Washington, of Madson
! and Of Jefferson
Sir gentlemen have forgotten the expressive Ian
of these men, when they regard the expression OF ST.
ma sentiments in these resolutions offensive to the South
Sir let advert to of the opinions Of Thom's Jeer
this subject and let the time advert the
of Virginia herself in relation to the introduction Of
| this institution. Mr.. Jefferson tells US
During the regal Government had time obtain
ed law which imposed such duty the importation Of
slaves as amounted nearly to prohibition when one incons
derate Assembly placed under pecuary Of
repealed the law This repeal joyful sanction from the
Sovereign, and Devices expedients which could
after be attempted by subsequent Assmbes-and they
ting royal to Of the duty In the very
first session held under the republican Government the AS
portaon Of slaves This viii in some measure stop the in
Of this great political and moral evil while the minds
of our citizens be rpened for complete emancipation of
human nature. .'-.Votes on Virginia. pp l6l l6a.
Sir, the sentiments here expressed the sentiments Of
this day Of the free States and if apology be
their part for their expression here is to be found in the
fact that the language that Of distinguished statesmen and
| patriot Of the South. Mr.. jefferson says further
"And the liberties Of nation be thought when
have removed their only firm bass conviction in the
|
That they not to be violated but with his wrath Indeed
tremble my country when reflect that God isut that
his justice cannot sleep foreyer."-.Sam,e, p 800
/ Why tremblel If slavery be sin and no crime, why
tembe at the reflection "that God is just" Sir this Ian
guage, when uttered the language Of the patriot
and the statesman. 1t the language Of man more
minent Southern statesman than any other who
existed in that quarter the Union But this language
then considered the language of the philosopher the pa
trot, and the statesman, has become nnaticiS8
Tanspaned from the soil of Virginia to the free soil of the
North, these sencns which time did honor the head
and the heart of the author have degeneraed into
naticsm" This probably is illustration Of what the Sc
nator from Mchgen (Mr CAss) calls the progress Of the
aged progress in rnoraly and in political ethics. The
sentiments thus uttered the very heart of the coCny where
probation Of his country bis people, and Of the
worldwhen repeated by my humble constituency in less
pointed and less vigorous terms, become fanacsD.
i What hare done here : What sort of brand has
1 Congress pm upon this institution Sir at the very
of legislation the subject Of che slavetrde
taken up As early 1894, although the importation
into this country could then be prohibited under the
eonstiution, lawE passed against carrying the
reign slavetrade with Tie penalties attached to
their violation As early May, 1900, another act
passed involving the forfeiture Of all vessels built and eqrp
ped for purpose and all employed In the business
on beard those ships made liable to penalty of 5000
and imprisonment for years In March, 1907, act
passed prohibiting the Introduction of slaves into the
country after the rst Of January, l60S The Law also
vded that all built and equipped for that purpose
should be forfeited and the penalty the persons engaged in
fitting such vessels fixed Of fine OF SIC, 00e. The
penalty the importation Of the slaves into the country
imprisonment for than ten nor less than ve years.
and fine Of than $4,000 nor less than Si 900
The act Of 1919 similar one In May, 1920, the
traffic pronounced prscy and punished with DEATH
Now, sir is this traffic, which you denoannae piracy and
punish with death, to be denomnasd crime or not The
So n rrsrnu