Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-28

Senator in announcing what would satisfy him, restricts
himself to this section. But, now, should like to
know what other law the Senator upon the sub
ject of slavery than the paramount law of the Consu-
| ton of the United States!
| Mr.. SoULE. Protection.
Mr.. CLAY. The paramount law Of the constitution
| affords that protection.
Mr.. SouLE. think it does not afford that protection
| Mr.. CLAY. VIII the Senator be satisfied with stri-
| king out the clause?
| Mr.. SouLE | will be satisfied with the clause, pro-
vided be modified as proposed by my friend from Mis-
| ssssppi-
cannot agree to, because it assumes fact the exist
ence OF which deny 1t the fact that slaves
are there maintain that there are none there except
here and there body servant that has been carried
there by those who soiournng or travelling through
| the country.
II the Senator will be satisfied with striking the
| clause, / will vote to strike 1t out, because | voted
against putting it in Or would consent to its eng
50 modified as to declare that the Territorial Legisla,
ure shall neither admit exclude slavery, which will
leave it open to police regulations If the Senator will
be satisfied with that. am content But if theToena-
tor desires, by any indirect means, by any clause which
| goes beyond its protested object, by any mpca ton
which canresult from that clause, to assert either that
slavery exists now in that country, that it is lawful
to carry it there under the constitution of the United
States, tor cannot agree 10 it. Ii the Senator
will agree to the modification of the clause, so as to
declare that the Territorial Legislature shall pass no
laws either to admit or exclude slavery
| Mr.. WEBSTER. Respecting the establishment or eX-
cluson of slavery.
| Mr.. CLAY. Certainly If the Senator will agree 10
modify the clause to declare that the Territorial
Legislature shall pass laws respecting the establish
nent or exclusion OF slavery will go for it with plea
| sure.
Mr., SoULE. wish not to misunderstood the honora-
BILE Senator but understood his argument it seems
to imply that the amendment proposed by the honorable
Senator from Mississippi assumes the existence OF sa-
very there. l cannot concur with him in that Inc
amendment assumes that slaves may be there but Ger
tanly will carry them there if they be not already
there And any right exists under the state OF things
winch that asserts cannot conceive what serious OBJ
econs be entertained on the part OF the honorable
Senator to the amendment proposed by the Senator
from Mississippi 1t only protects whatever rights may
exist there 1t does not give any right 1t only seeks
to protect such rights as under the constitution OF the
United States saay now or hereafter exist For these
reasons shall vote for the amendment beg the par
don Of the honorable Senator for interrupting him
! Mr.. CLAY. Well, sir, if the honorable Senator will
be satisfied with such amendment as have suggest
ed, and which understood the other day satisfac
tory to meet gentlemen that side OF the house-an
amendment declaring that the Legislatures the Terri
tories shall neither establish nor exclude siavery-l am
content. Then it will leave open all these questions OF
right to be settled under the constitution OF the United
States, and all those matters OF police which are stated
| to be desirable But cannot agree to an amendment
which, in point of fact assumes that slavery has
sence there at this time and assumes IN point OF law
that, under the constitution OF the United States there
is right carry slaves there. cannot vote for either
proposition repeat that am ready to to strike
out the clause to retain the clause or to modify the
clause in the way that have suggested, which will ac-
compsh all the objects sought Tor on the other side OF the
| house, if | understand them.
| Now Mr. President, not going, at this time of
the session. and this stage OF the progress oil this
sure to discuss the question of the validity Of the laws
| of Mexico The question whether the opinions ex-
pressed by and by others, or the opposite Ones be
right can only be decided by the Supreme Court OF the
United States, upon proper case brought before that
tribunal. We go as far can to settle all these
questions We establish governments there and courts
there, from which courts appeals may be taken accord
ing the express provisions OF the bill, to the Supreme
1 Ott hoI HIATT thor
not the Mexican law prevails in these Territories, or
whether the constitution admits slaves be taken there,
can on be decided by that tribunal.
Mr.. President, will not say any thing more with re-
spec the able, ingenious, and eloquent argument of
the Senator from Louisiana; but will proceed to the
other subjects which propose to discuss | am not
OF those who, either at the commencement OF the
or at any time during its progress have believed that
there any present actual danger to the existence OF
the Union. But am OF those who believe that if
this agitation is continued for one two years longer
no man can foresee the dreadful consequences A dis
solution OF the Union, the greatest OF all caamities in
my opinion which befa this country, may not in
form take place; but next TO that dissolution of those
traterna aud kindred ties that bind together
free, christian, and commercial people In my opinion,
the body polite cannot be preserved unless this agita
ton this distraction, this evaporation, which is going
on between the sections of the country shall cease
Unessit do cease, am afraid that this Union for all the
high and noble purposestor which our fathers formed it,
will not be preserved
Mr. President will go far to express
this opinion, that unless this OF COMPROMISE
not the exact words of the bll--tor the committee,
T d s or u0 medea
measure of this kind pass, hazard the prediction
that nothing will be done tor California, nothing
will be done for the territories, nothing upon the
fugitive 81 ave bill, nothing upon the bill which
interdies slavery in this District; Unless some such
measure prevail, instead OF healing and closing the
wounds of the country, instead OF stopping the
ties, with still grearer danger to the republic And
repeat, that in my opinion the measure upon your
table, with such amendments as it may receive, or
some tantamount measure, must pass nothing pass
es upon all the subjects to which the report refers.
Let us look at the subject lfyou do not pass this
measure there is a possibility, some gentlemen will
saw high probability, that the California bill will not
pass | have no doubt myself but that there are large
maorities in both Houses OF Congress in favor ofthe
admission of California into the Union; but from
causes upon which | shall not dwell, and which are
adyerted to by me with pleasure, but with PAIN
am afraid that that bill will pass the two Houses
measure by itself What, then, will be the condition
ofthe country? Let lis suppose that Congress does
nothing let us suppose that it fails to furnish remedy
for any one ofthe evils which aflic the country
Suppose we separate and go home under those mutual
feelings Of dissatisfaction and dscon en which will
questions will say nothing OF the reproach and
opprobrum that would be brough upon us by all chris
tendon. will say nothing otthose who are looking
upon us with anxious sollcude, under the hope that
we will fulfil all the expectations and fulfil the high
destnes which appertan to one among the greatest OF
all countries will say nothing OF that large portion
of mankind who are gazing with intense anxiety upon
this great experiment in behalf OF mans capacity Tor
self government and mans freedom. l will say moth
ing Of all this Suppose. then, that after the lapse of
six or seven months, during which we were vany en-
deavoring to reconcile the distracted and divided
parts OF the country, go home full of the feelings
of rage and anmosity, one section against another,
In such state of feeling can the republic long
tinue Let suppose, however, that you reject this
bill and pass the California bill, and go home in that
state OF things; what will not the South say What
leproaches will not level at the North upon this sub
ioot Thnyy will c
YOU wanted; you got the substitute for the WAmot
provso; you have got clause much more potent,
much more efficacous than that; you have got the
MIA you have got all you wanted for the present.
and have refused usevery thing you have seized up
on California and hereafter, from time to time, you
mean to appropriate the whole OF our acquisitions to
tua exasneratlon and excitement with heated press