The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-02


bean abolished by her constitution he has become one
81 the warmest advocates OF her admission | have
never heard single southern at any time say that
hs Objected 20 her % On re ground that sns naa
ed with the organization OF the Territory would certainly
have made the admission OF California objectionable TO
necsd with the boundary which is supposed to be too
Mr. MILLER | was contendiug, sir, in the first
mat scuI hs,e
were done BY the constitution and laws Of this Union.
Those were my premises, Now honorable senators say
q that ns
ton because she nhibts slavery understood the
ator from Georgia, the other day TO contend that the
Ss y are Ha.
carried slavery into those Territories that, by reason Of
the equality existing between the States, could not
BY law prohibit them from carrying slavery into calior
Mr. BEKRIEN. Most certainly, sir, that does not
touch the position taken by the honorable senator Il
~ that the South j. asking from Congress the Re- essS
South asks no such thing. II they have constitutional
rights the South asks the privilege Of having the ques
ton determined by the Judicial arbter Of the consttu-
ton The real question in controversy between us IS,
whether this thing does or does not exist in California,
and whether have the right to extend the institution
there Il has been denied on the part Of the North and
we ask the privilege OF having the question referred TO
the supreme judicial tribunal here, unembarassed by the
legislation OF Congress. 4
Mr. MILLER have not said that the people Of the
South desire law to establish slavery in California but
say, sir, that their position ayowed here, Is this
that Notwithstanding slavery, BY law and ~ iact, y
abolished in California and New Mexico, they contend
establishes il institution, and that we cannot in
Mr. BERRIEN What do you contend
Mr.. MILLER That 1t does not carry 1t there. That
is the point between US. contend that the South BY
their construction Of the constitution. which think
false one, seek to establish slavery in California The
r0 ut
Nj BERRlEN We ask reference to the judicial
MI. MILLER. Then, sir, say this. that when q
question is presented to On the establishment Of terri
tora governments in those Territories, whether slavery
is carried into the Territory under and by virtue Of the
constitution, and Te-established there under govern
ment or not can have but opinion about it, say
Il has right 10 60 there And 20 further. sir Know
Ing the history OF our Territories, and the manner in
when we are about to establish territorial governments
for Territories where slavery does not exist feel my
duty to vote in favor Of law prohibiting ts introduction
with southern mans property In adopting this
il s not necessary for me to enter into the question
whether slavery is sin or not and to declam against its
moral effects vote 10 prohibit IT, simply because be-
leve that in the Territories OF California and New Mex
leo the institution OF slavery would be social and po
liiical evil "a
gether il he supposes that wish an additional
excitement upon that subject, or that could for mo-
ment desgnedy msrepresent the views OF the South or
Of the North for the purpose q throwing any dculty N
do upon these great and exciting questions is to state and
to maintain my own opinions with calmness and firm
ness and to act them solely with reference to the
common interests OF the country Before prepared
to adjust the difficulties which now surround this subject
Of slavery, it will be well to inquire who and what has
caused this great excitement which every man who has
the good OF his country at heart is anxious should be
alayed! Sir 1 believe the main cause will be found in
agitation! agitation North and South, in Congress
and out Of it. Stripped Of the excitement and Of the
exaggerations OF these agtaiions there is no real diff
Guilty in settling the questions which excite the pub
lie mind.
have already shown that the two first aggressions
trict-are really unfounded fact. leaving but sin
gle difculty that relating 10 slavery in the Territories,
for future adjustment Now sir what caused the excite.
what first brought this subject before Congressl Why,
sir it brought here by the annexation Of Texas that
the FIRST time when the question OF extending slavery
gentleman who then at the head OF the State Depart
ment (Mr Calhoun) advocated the annexation Of Texas
upon the ground that It was TO give security to slave
property at home TO prevent future aggressions upon
from abroad and asked this to lend It's aid
at the risk OF TO acquire Texas, in order to ex
tend the OF slavery, and order to give greater
that L the wing portion Of the Norhopposed this meas
ure, and told you at the time that il would lead to
war for the acquisition Of more territory. which. in the
are now surrounded This was the beginning Of the agi
taiions about slavery The South principally to blame
for this We have also agitators at the North In the
first place, we have what called liberty men-men
who conscentiousy believe Cat least they say SOY that
slavery such evil that neither law the
constitution ought TO restrain them from destroying at
once and Il they cannot destroy i by law under the con-
sttution, they DESTROYS TO abolish the constitution
ITSELF in order to get at slavery within the States This
party is small and SO ultra, that need be alarm
ed al their name Then what is called the aboli
ton party, who seek to bring about the abolition OF
slavery, not only in the Territories, but in the States. by
what they call moral suasion. They talk about the evil
OF slavery, preach about it, proclaim al town meetings
they perfectly harmless against the laws Of your State
and against the constitution. which stands between your
property and their agitations. But there 10 another
parry at the North more dangerous, known latterly
by the OF the free soil party which Is founded upon
sectional consderaonsa party that built up IN the
free States in opposition 10 the slave States, who de-
nounce every man who runs for Office from the slave
the end divide this Union because II either section Of
the country undertake TO draw geographical line, and
say that all side OF that line shall be driven from
Office, and have the majority 10 carry out their principles,
then indeed will all the official POLITICAL and social rela-
tons which bind together one people be broken
asunder But need not be alarmed about the success
OF such party II showed its full strength and influence
at the last election. What said the great North speak
particularly Of the wing portion OF IT, That party
nominated STAKEHOLDER for the Office OF President OF
these United States twas known that these difficulties
existed in regard TO the subject OF slavery, but we did not
forsake national party and become sectional free soil
party; neither did the democratic party do SO, no. cir
Union elected southern STAKEHOLDER President Of the
United States Surely the southern States ought TO be
satisfied with such manifestation OF good faith on the
part OF the North that there disposition there 10 get