The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-15
,e gentleman from Alabama was entitled to the

Mr.. billiard refused to yield the floor to the
gentleman from New York for any purpose what
ever.
TheCHAIRMAN said that the gentleman from
Alabama was entitled TO the floor.
Mr., KING appealed from the decision Of the
Chair and he was called TO order from various
parts II the hall. He desired that the question Of
order should be put, and said that he would stand
up until the facts should be stated by the Chair.
The cries of ''order' were renewed.
Mr. lNGE called for the Sergeant at arms, and
insisted on the strict enforcement of the rules.
Mr.. KING expressed the hope that the facts
would be stated.
Mr. INGE asked that the executive officer be
called on TO do his duty.
MI KING said that there need be no difficulty.
II hewas not in order, he would take his seat He
had right to move that the business he named
should be taken up; the rules gave him this priv-
lege
Mr.. INGE insisted that the Chairman should do
his duty
Mr.. KING, essaying to speak, was again called
TO order.
Mr. STEVENS, Of Pennsylvania, wanted to
know for his own information whether the question
of order applied to the gentleman from New York
or 10 the gentleman from Alabama?
Mr.. billiard said that the Chairman had
given the floor to him, and that he would proceed
with his remarks
Mr.. McLANE called the gentleman to order.
Mr.. billiard called upon the gentleman to
The CHAIRMAN made a statement, and con
cluded by saying that he would now entertain the
appeal.
Various gentlemen had something to say on the
subject and there was much confusion. Finally,
the question was taken, and the decision Of the
Chair was sustained.
Mr.. billiard proceeded with his remarks,
commenced several days ago. As to slavery, he
would not consider 1t as moral, but political
one. He informed gentlemen that the South had
no fears ofintestinc commotion from this cause and
they were abundantly able to take care of them
selves Their right to hold slaves was independent
them in this species Of property, He INDUCED the
hopo that the aggrcssions of the North would be
arrested. The South simply ask them to forbear.
The demand Is made that slavery shall not DO
tended, and be confined to its present limits; that
all the past and future triumphs of our arms, di-
plomacy, and progress, shall enure to the North.
The South are to contribute to the support of the
Government, and the benefits of the struggle are
to be given entirely to the North The South have
borne much. The very agitation of this ques-
ton is great wrong; and this has aroused spi-
rit OF further resistance, from the Potomac to
southern Texas; and the spirit pervades both
parties If gentlemen say that slavery shall
not go beyond its present limits, then the South
must either submit to change in their organic
structure, resist to the utnost-at all hazards.
The South never can consent to hold unequal
position-they will never submit TO relation in
ferior to that OF the northern States. With regard
to the Wilmot proviso he did not fear ii T; and he
doubted much whether Congress have any further
right in relation TO the Territories than to legisae
Tor the pubic property therein. He did not desire
10 see now many square miles shall be given TO the
North or to the South all he asked was, that the
slave States should have an equal participation in
the acquisition. He would never give his consent
for the admission of California into the Union,
I'll the whole question is settled. His mode was
this. He preferred the Missouri compromise line.
1t was marked line. There was certain moral
power attached to it. II would give to the North
a hundred and fifty thousand more square miles
than to the South. But stretch the line to the Pa
ciic, and let angry discussion cease forever. There
was great danger attending this agitation. In
politics, as in religion, must be first pure then
peaceable and he would never consent TO the
tranquility which despotism imposes. He closed
where he began. He not willing TO settle
part of the queston-he wanted to settle it entire.
The South must stand on ground equal with the
North They would defend the honor Of the North,
defend their rights, and consent to every thing
that not disgraceful. In the language OF u dis
tinguished statesman Of South Carolina, they would
give "milons for defence, but not one cent for
tribute"
He then gave notice of an amendment, which he
would submit at the proper time-tbat the Commit
tee on Territories report bill providing for the
security OF property ofevery description, in the Ter
ritories acquired by treaty from Mexico
Mr.. FITCH said that he would leave the discus
sion Of slavery TO the legal gentlemen who occu-
pied seats on the floor, and their name is legion
There was an utter impossibihty of forming I'M
biassed judgment either the merits or the con-
stiiutionaty Of the subject, there being much Of
what was sectional mixed up with IL; and the
threats and appeals here and elsewhere prevent the
have no weight beyond the circle of his own con-
sttucnts. The opinion itself, so far his
ton was concerned, he came here 10 carry out. IL
will be and lie a matter of record. To his limited
observation, new born zeal has been cvinced in
opposition 70 the principle long established in this
Government. The Northwest Territory belonged to
Virginia, and slavery existed there theoretically
and practically.
The ordinance Of 1887 abolished slavery without
the consent Of It's inhabitants; and now il Is pro
posed 10 exclude slavery from where IL does not
now exist. Virginia gave the Northwest Territory
in common 10 all, and II became common property.
Virginia could no more ask considera ton from
this Government, than Texas to the portion Of New
Mexico which she holds. There l. "A prece-
dent in the ordinance Of 81 which cannot be gain
sayed. Southern Democrats threatened TO read
out Of the party those who differed with them the
bject Of slavery. The Democratic convention Of
l54s passed resolution applicable 70 States, not 30
the Territories. II refused TO pass resolution ex-
GLIDING interference with slavery In the Terrific
rics but IL they had adopted a resolution as 10 the
latter, would not denunciations by them have been
but a condemnation Of their own course For, in
anticipation Of The admission Of California, these
same men would have created an ideal non-intcr-
yention rule, and made IL binding on the South,
from the swamps Of Florida TO the mountains Of
Virginia.
Mr.. BROWN, Of Mississippi. II California had
asked 70 be admitted into the Union, with proyi-
sion tolcrating slavery, would you 20 for IN
Mr.. FITCH. The doctrine Of the Democratic
party Of the North was non.intervention. was a
Mr.. BROWN. Will you answer my question:
Mr.. FITCH. ! would not have acted inconsist +
entity, as some gentlemen have
Mr. BROWN. Would you have advocated the
admission Of California with provision olerating
slavery .
Mr.. FITCH. Yes; IL Il was The act Of the people.
would give them the benefit Of their sentiments.
Will not resistance by the South be an attempt At
intervention, Yet, for better purpose, they will
anathematizc the North ssWhom the gods mean
to destroy, they fret make mad" II madness be
precursor Of destruction, must conclude that
many seats in this ball will soon be made vacant;
for greater number Of maniacs, before we filed
the Speakers chair, never congregated outside
Of a madbouse. Mr.. y. then alluded 10 the pro-
ceedngs Of southern Legislatures and Governors,
and 20 speeches Of gentlemen from the South, In
GLIDING Mr.. CLISeMAE, who, he thought, from the
manner in which be had spoken Of persons at the
North who had pctitoned Congress for the aboli-
ton Of savcry-the petitioners being, for great
part, lsdies-must have experienced disap.
Pointmeat IN the tender passion from one Of
them, md had unsucccssfuHy woocd 10 win.