The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-19

HAAAs VA DOh<As, UT Nh w AOAsAAp
In the House Of Representatives., .Aprii 10,
1850, in Committee of the Whole ON the
state Of the Union, on the Presidents
Message communicating The Constitution
Of California.
Mr.. DUER spoke substantially as follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: A new question has arisen--a
question, believe never before formally presented
and discussed in Congress. The gentleman who
has just taken his seat Mr.. Ross) has alluded TO an
incident of early period OF the session. when one
Of the Representatives of Georgia declared himself
IN certain contingencies, for disunion; and another
Representative Of the same State (Mr. STEPHENs)
reiterated the declarations of his colleague-decla
rations which gave me pain, because know that
both OF these gentlemen not only possessed great
talent and influence, but had boldly and success
fully resisted, in the last Congress, movement
willing to lend themselves. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania, in whose mind seem singularly and
indissolubly connected the ideas Of the Union and
Of the predominance OF a particular party in the
Union has chosen to select for illustration the in
stance of prominent Wings. 1t is well understood,
however, here, that there is no material difference
In this respect between the gentlemen referred to
and the great mass OF southern Democratic mem
bers; while several of the latter have publicly
sumed, and others known 10 maintain, po-
sitions greatly in advance. Those contingen-
ces upon which the gentlemen from Georgia
have pronounced for disunion may or may not
udpptn-lt Is not, ptTuhps, now very pTODdOic
that they viii happen. Others. however. have
placed their opposition to the Union upon grounds
which, if they shall be adhered to, and if they shall
be able to induce those whom they represent TO
adopt their views, must inevitably place them in
hostile attitude to their government For Califor.
MIA, with her boundaries, will be admitted into the
Union and you will have no establishment OF sla-
very, or If you prefer the phrase, no recognition OF
the constitutional existence OF slavery in any part
Of these Territories, north south, east west
OF any line Of latitude or longitude. Neither will
you have repeal of any existing law prohibiting
slavery. Such, at least, is my judgment.
We heard great deal in the last Congress about
{" the odious WiInot proviso." To listen to south
ern gentlemen then, one would not suppose that
they were contending for slavery, but that they
were simply resisting offensive and unconsttution-
al, prohibtory legislation II at the means, not
the end that their invectives hurled Now,
however, they tell us that what they want is, TO
carry their negro slaves into these Territories; and
that the particular mode in which they may be
prevented from doing this is 10 them matter OF
supreme indifference. l always had a notion that
this what they wanted. ! am glad that it is
now frankly ayowed II relieves us from the scru-
tiny OF great quantity OF metaphysical subtlety.
IL is not only, too, the more manly way, but II
seems to me even 10 be putting their upon the
strongest ground. II enables them To discuss il
upon its merits, as has been done with great ab-
ty by several gentlemen, and, among others, by
the gentleman from Georgia, (Mr. TooMBs.) Some
gentlemen have even been pleased 10 speak of the
Wilmot proviso in a kind and liberal way, for
which feel grateful. believe that there those
who would prefer IL. Nevertheless, as its adoption
might place power 10 do mischief in the hands Of
persons unfriendly TO the Union, am disposed 10
inquire whether the necessity for its enactment
may not be avoided.
What is the wimot provisos II is an instru
mentality means TO attain a certain end have
superstitious veneration for the form. That
which Is the best means at one time may not be 50
at another
Some months ago one of the representatives Of
NJ \ inf ced .l,fio ifst
ing the Committee on Territories 10 bring in bill
establishing territorial governments in all that part
Of the new Territories not included within the
boundaries Of California, and prohibiting slavery
therein. ] voted in a small minority of the north
members-I believe there were but two north
ern Wings (my collcagoes) who voted with me-
70 lay that resolution upon the table. am salts
fed with that vote. know il was an honest vote;
/ think, under the circumstances, il was bold
one. quite aware of all the hazards 20 which,
personally, Il exposed me; but thought il import
ant that tho movement should be promptly arrested,
and was willing for that purpose 10 encounter
them. ! thought that there other perils that
way; perils 10 California, perils TO the Union. j
may perhaps bring my judgment into contempt
with some gentlemen by saying %, but such Is my
opinion; IL Is the opinion Of the ablest and most
experienced statesmen in the country. ! was de-
termined that would not, for abstraction, for
no practical purpose whatever, involve the country
in such danger. | determined that would
not, directly or indirectly, give "aid and comfort
10 the Union. II was my policy To strengthen our
friends in the south,-not To place weapons in the
hands Of our enemies.
I do not doubt that the vote, the final vote by
which "RooT's resolution was laid upon the table,
and In which regret that accident prevented me
from taking part, has done great good Ii has done
precisely what ], for one, intended and desired IL
should do. Il has disarmed disunionists; IL bas
stripped them Of their power. We all feel and
know this. The scheme Tor a southern ooniederscy
has received fatal arrew i'm ts side-isfhaits
do. And the Nashville convention, instead Of n
torch 70 light fame, will prove but the expiring
wick Of the candle.
II has pleased the honorable member from Ohio
~ imputc venal motives 10 those who voted to lay
his resolution upon the table-a desire 10 secure
Executive favor. II IL impossible for any In
public life 10 escape such imputstions. There is
scarcely vote he can give, such the differ
ences OF opinion, Of which the motive may not be
pure and may not be base. lie must ordinarily
trust for his vindication 10 the reputation he may
have established. As one Of thosc implicated, /
feel that there II nothing in my character 20 which
the charge Of the honora blc member from Ohio will
adhere. None who have known me, wherever |
have lived and whosc good opinion regard. will
believe that have acted, am capable Of acting,
upon this question from sordid motives. And
may be pardoned, under the circumstance, the
egotism of saying-since, for my action in this
matter. have been pretty extensively denounced
in class Of newspapers, that ] came here at the
commencement Of this session fully apprcciating
the critical condition Of the country with respect 20
this question Of slavery, and determined, 90 far
a man can analyze his motives, 10 act for the real
and permanent good Of the country, and 20 make
all personal considerations and all partisan consd
erstons subordinate 10 that end. ] came-quite
conscious Of the humbleness Of my postion-to
speak, and 10 act, and 10 vote, according 20 my
beet judgment, for justice and for the Union.
Others have brought 20 that task high gifts, and
power and influence 10 which ] have no claim;
none more singleness Of purpose.
impute corrupt motives TO no man here; not be-
cause suppose that such motives may not exist,
and are not indeed pretty certain 10 exist in any
body Of two hundred and thirty men, nor because
may not perhaps sometimes think that am
able 70 detect them but because IL s forbidden 20
do 30, well by the rules Of parliamentary propri
ETY. by the rules that regulate the intercourse Of
gentlemen. II is for every member Of the House 10
choose in this respect his course. make no such
imputstions. But does the honorable member
from Ohio suppose-patriotic doubtless he is
that IL others disposed 10 do co. there s any
thing in the position Of himself and Of those who,
like him, deal in menacing tones and gestures, and
assume a general supervision over northern con.
suspended over our heads the
thunders Of popular indignation, and standing
ready, spades in hand 10 dig our political graves
does he suppose there is any thing in that position