The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-16

ator must have seen that sofn's such provision
this necessary. No one knows better than the
Senator that wherever there is a slave population,
there certain rights incident to the relation Of
master and slave, and certain police regulations
necessary for its security and protection. This
amendment proposed to prohibit the territorial
Legislature from interfering with these rights and
projections. The amendment is to give that secu-
rity to people who may go there with their prop
erty which the Constitution guarantees, and that
this property shall have the same protection and Sc
CURLY that is extended by the Constitution to all
other descriptions of property.
The Senator thinks that the local law of the coun-
try was the Mexican law. He thought differently.
The Mexican local law abolishes slavery. If this
were true, then no slavery could go there. But he
thought differently; he did not believe that Mexican
law TO be in force there. The Senator says that
he is for non action and for leaving it TO be decided
by the local law. The Senator seemed TO have for
gotten how completely he overturned that ac-
ton policy few days ago.
He had proposed this amendment, but he had no
hopes Of obtaining justice for the South. He did
not look for success in such an attempt The South
stands the -sheaf before the sic ke; and this
amendment was proposed for the purpose of expos
ing TO her those who were depriving her of her con-
stitutional rights.
Mr. CLAY said the whole scheme reported by the
committee compromise, The bill did not
propose to decide upon the title of Texas to the ter
ritory in dispute between her and New Mexico; it
recognised claim on her part, and in spirit Of
harmony and concession proposed to her a pecuni-
airy consideration for that claim, and he hoped she
would receive II as such.
The Senator from Mississippi charged him with
being somewhat inconsistent upon the non. action
policy This non action policy had been greatly
misunderstood by the country and by Congress.
Non action on the part of Congress in relation to
slavery was one thing, and he was in favor of 1t;
but non action in giving government to these peo-
pie, Who had been wrested from their ancient gov
eminent, was another, and very different thing,
| and he was opposed to il He thought that non
action on the slavery question was the best and
only safe policy.
He would consider the amendment the Scna-
tor himself understood it, and it was in direct OPP
position to the action policy II is to give
press authority, by the legislation of Congress, to
carry slaves into the territories Of Utah and New
Mexico. On this point he was unfortunate rs to
differ from the Senator from Mississippi He
opposed to any Legislation by Congress on the sub
ject in any way, for this reason: he had opposed
the Wilmot proviso on the one side, and on the
| other had always expressed himself opposed to
| any act recognising or establishing slavery He
would oppose all legislation by Congress either
| side. would (said Mr.. CD appeal TO southern
| gentlemen-to my friend from Mississippi, if he
| will allow me to address him by that term Mr..
DAVIS bowed assent)-yes, MIR. President, the
Senator is not only my friend, but he was a friend
| to one who ia now no more. would appeal to
| them all whether this amendment will produce
the effect which is contemplated, supposing it do
not defeat the measure altogether He then alluded
TO the soil of those territories, and TO how little it
was adapted to slave labor, and also to the very
low value of labor there 1t being said by the dele
| gate for that territory that labor worth but
from four to five dollars a month"; rate at which
no man would carry slaves there to labor.
MIR. DAVIS, of Mississippi said that he was one
| of those who did not believe that slaves could not
be carried to these Territories. As yet, but little
was known of the soil. But ii was well known that
the Colorado river took its through plain,
and that those plains there alluvial soil;
and that it could be cultivated. He also one OF
those who believed the valley Of the ella to be rich
with gold and slaves could be carried there for the
same purposes as they would have been carried TO
r.l.f ~ Az s.l N,toI kxvt
| agitation of this subject in Congress- and by the
fear of Legislative prohibition. Besides this, they
had constitutional rights which they were unwilling
| TO surrender. II was said that revolution was
the result of preamble; that the war of independ-
ence commenced through the boldness of Yankee
who said that he had right to go TO Concord, and
go TO Concord he would. He did go to Concord, and
| met death by the hands of British sentinel. They
had right GO TO these Territories, and they would
i not give up their right.
The amendment Is not law for the introduction
of slavery into these Territories but is provision
to prevent the territorial legislature from interior
ing with those rights growing out of the institution
Of slavery, which are protected and secured wher-
ever that institution exists.
| He had not arraigned the Senator for inconsst
ency. He had only alluded to the remarks Of his
friend from Kentucky somewhat different to- day
| upon the NOV ,"'io- Pehsy from what he had OK
with nothing; and the remarks of the Senator, ut
tered In a suppressed tone, had drawn that bond Of
friendship existing between them closely as
never, he hoped, to be severed but by death. He
/ imputed nothing improper to him, nor to any one;
he imputed bad motives to no man whatever.
Mr.. YULEE said that he was glad the amend
ment was offered, and IL there any doubt TO
Its phraseoogy, he hoped il would be made 10
be express acknow led gment Of the right TO carry
slave property TO the Territories He could not
1support the bill. The committee had made great
concessions TO the North, and to the South. II
had proposed to admit California, with all her ir-
regularities, as a free State, and had provided no
guarantees for the rights of the South 1t had re-
ported bill making distinction, in this District,
between slave property and all other property de-
nying to the one the same protection extended to
others.
Mr.. FooTE called the Senator to order. The
bill Tor the suppression Of the slave trade in this Dis
trict was not before the Senate.
| The PRESIDING OFFICER said the debate must
| be confined 70 the bill before the Senate
Mr.. YULEE continued his remarks. He alluded
TO the bill now before the Senate, and denied that
there was any concession in 1t to the South. On
the contrary, II proposed TO take large portion oil
| territory now belonging to Texas, and slave soil
and attach it TO a Territory which was certain tC
! come into the Union a free State. He replied &c
the remarks Of the Senator from Kentucky against
any legislation for the diffusion of slavery, and al
| luded 70 some arguments made by that Senator
| when in the House, during the Missouri agitation
in favor OF the diffusion Of slavery and against
| inning II TO small area.
| Mr.. FOOTE said at one time he thought there
| was a settled determination in Congress 70 do in
justice 10 the South, and had expressed himself
He believed now thata better feeling existed, and
had great hope that wise and prudent counsels
would prevail. He regretted the Senator from Flor.
ida had felt himself called upon 10 use the course
| OF remark he had followed to-day. He did not
agree with the Senator from Kentucky that the
| Mexican laws abolishing slavery now the Law
OF these Territories, nor did he agree with him in
supposing that slavery could not be carried there.
He did not feel that dread Of the Senator's opinion
which seemed to be felt by the Senator from Florida.
| That opinion was Of great influence, IL was true,
aud would have its due weight, but there were
others who held different opinions. The profound
Jurist and eminent statesman from Georgia (Mr.
BERRIES) held different opinions TO the exist
ence Of these laws. His colleague (Mr. DAvIs)
had answered the Senator from Kentucky long
SINCE upon the same subject The illustrious dead
| (Mr. CALBoUS,) when he last addressed the Sen.
ate had declared his opinion adverse 10 that Of the
Senator from Kentucky.
These all differed from the Senator, and their
opinions had gone out with his TO the people The
people Of this country were a sclfjudging people
and they would make up their opinions whe
ther those laws we're in force or not. The
people OF the South will make up their opinion on
the subject. The opinion Of the Senator from Ken