The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-14

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tins sudden outburst of Indignation against a
| lawful commerce Is it dishonorable TO sell
merchandise Has not Mr.. Clay himself pro-
claimed, that is property which the law makes
! property !n Why does he dishonor the Wash
lngton man-merchants Is it base 10 buy AMI
sell human beings Mr. Clay forgets that this
"detestable trade is in fact, supported by the
gentlemen breeders who SELL and the gentlemen
planters who buy But this trade which is so
detestable,' and these eortsges which are so
horrible on very little scale, are now to assume
national Importance protected and sanctioned
! by the government of the whole Republic
Such, sir, is the magnanimous compromise
which so many of our wing and democratic poll
tlclans, now that the elections are oUer, and the
solemn pledges made in favor of the Wimot pro-
vlso supposed to be forgotten, are willing to ac-
cept as mighty boon to human rights, and a
mighty barrier against the further entertainments
OF the slave power. In my ears the only Ian
guage addressed by these eight resolutions, TO the
North, Is the cry of the horseleech-GTvE GIVE.
NO test can detect in them, no microscope can
make Visible ,tbe lDost Oo9~tp concession 10 hui
man liberty. Not one single inch OF territory
does the proposed compromise secure from slavery
that is not already rescued from its power Not
one single human being will il save from bondage
The extension of the Missouri line 10 the Pa
cihc would at least have rendered all on the
north of IT free soil but, says Mr. Clay, most
truly, although with frankness almost insulting
to the North, say, sir, in my place here that ii
is much better forthe SourHftdt he ph6te su5lett
should be open on both sides an imaginary line of
go 30, than that slavery should be interdicted
positively north Of $50 go, Vith freedom to admit
or eretude At south Of go 30, at the rai of the
people ~
But, Mr.. Clay exclaimed, {" No earthly power
could induce noe TO vote for the positive introduce
ton of slavery south or north OF that line" and
at this heroic avowal the galleries applauded.
But the galleries are not deeply versed in South
ern tactics. Mr. Clay need apprehend no coer-
cion TO extort his reluctant vote for purpose no
one desires OF demands. The South have with
one voice, denied the power of Congress either
to prohibit or establish slavery in the territories
Said Mr.. King Of Alabama, IN reply, ave ask
no act OF ConS,o -. ~,-,ly slavery anywhere.
believe we (Congress) have Just as much right
to prohibit slavery in the territories as to carry il
there. We have no right to do one or the other'
Other Southern Senators avowed their concur
renee in the doctrine advanced by Mr. King.
Hence MIR. Clay's defiance of any power on
earth 10 make him do what nobody wants him TO
do, was, at least, rhetorical flourish
| But II this pretended compromise is, as con-
| tend, full and unqualified surrender of all the
demands of the North, why did certain ultra Sem
ators object TO il A show of resistance might
have been deemed polite, as tending to make
northern men suppose there must be something
granted to them, although they could not tell
what II may also suit the party purposes of
some, to prolong the present agitation, that they
may manufacture more patriotism for the south
ern market and, lastly if any really wish TO
form a separate republic, in which they expect to
have more power than they now enjoy, they will
of course reject all concessions, however great.
But it is incredible that the mere Shareholders the
men who are only anxious to open new markets
for the sale of their stock, and to acquire more
votes in Congress, should be averse TO a PROPOSE
ton that offers them all they have ever asked,
and all that Congress can give them, with the eX-
ception OF the suppression of the right OF petition,
and the censorship of the Post-Office, and these
are not now in issue.
But we are told that unless we yield to the de-
mands of the shareholders they will dissolve the
Union. And what are these demands, which Mr.
Clay admits we have full right to refuse! Why
that small body of men, not probably ex
ceeding l00O00,* shall be at liberty, for thei
own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, to blight with the curse o
slavery our vast possessions south of 36 degree
30 minutes, and whatever portion of Mexico i
shall hereafter be found convenient to seize
elsewhere giving way before the increasing intel
Iigence and morality of the age, we, the Mode
Republic, are to be the instrument of extending
over illimitable regions now free despotisn
more accused than any other known throughout
the civilized world-a despotism that not only
enslaves the body, but brushes the intellect
through which man is enabled 10 distinguish
good from evil-a despotism that annihllates all
rights sets at naughtal the affections of the heart
and converts a being made in the image of God,
| into a soulless machine. Tell me not of creep
tions-oi some lucky chatel, like Mr. Clays
negro, referred to in his speech, who in his mas
ters we-sored kitchen, hugs his chain, laughs
! and grows fat He is but vendible commodity,
and to-morrow's sun may behold him tong I'M
der the lash, his wife given to another and his
children with pigs and mules sold at auction 10
| the bighestb bidder. Tell me not of exceptions
"the kind owner may at any moment be ex-
changed by death or debts for the hardened re-
morseless task-master, and the law sanctions
every atrocty perpetrated upon the slave.f No,
my dear sir ] cannot give my consent, and
hope it will not be given for me by my represen-
ative, TO curse a vast empire with such an lnstl-
tuition and 10 doom unborn millions 10 It's unut-
terable denominations, even to save our southern
brethren from the sin and folly Of founding new
Republic @ upon the denial of human rights,
and OF rendering themselves by-word, pro-
verb and repToach among the nations of the
earth ! value the favor of my God, and the sal
walton of nv soul too much TO take part or lot IN
such great wickedness. Most fully do | agree
with Mr. Clay, that Congress has no more con-
stitutional authority over slavery in the States
that in the Island Of Cuba and most fully do
agree with the admission in his speech, but not 10
be found in his resolutions of the right of Con-
gress to exclude slavery from the conquered ter
ritores. Hence in my opinion, the refusal to
exercise this right, even to preserve the Union
would be a CRIME in the sight OF God and man
entertain no apprehension of the severance of
the Union for this cause, but should the few
shareholders and the vast multitude of Southern
people who have no interest in slavery, in their
madness separate from us, upon them will rest
the sin, and upon them and their children will
fall its punishment Let us do what God COM
mands and leave TO HIM the consequences.