Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-21
THE DAILY TINES.
WIN. C. DARLINGTON & VIM. Fl. DAVIS,
EDITORS AND PRoPRIEToRS.
THE SLAVE QUESTION.
SPEECH OF Mr.. E. C. CABELL,


OF FLORIDA,
| In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 5, 1850,
In Committee of the Whole on the state Of the Union,
on the Presidents Message communicating the
Constitution of California.
[ooNoLUDED
Why is it, sir, that gentlemen object the diffusion
OF slavery, and the addition of slave States the
Union? How is it possible that any interest Of the
North can be inuriously afiected2 How can we com
NIT aggressons on you The gentleman from Ohio,
mr. Campbell tells us that the annexation of Texas
was southern policy. by which the North ha. been in
ured This point has been been already answered by
others The gentleman knows, that Texas was ac-
qured by Mr.. Polk who elected by majority OF
northern votes, gentleman Mr.. ClayJ who was
opposed to annexation He says the North is opposed
to the admission of more slave States into the Union,
because they send ree-trade men to Congress- who Will
legsate, nlurousy to the interests OF the tree white
labor OF the North But is this the real objection =!
No. sir. When southern State is admitted, the poll
teal party, which happens to be in the ascendant sends
its Representatives and Senators to Congress My
State sends me. a Wing. On all questions Of party
of Texas and Arkansas, send Democrats, who vote
with the Democratic party OF the North. The reason
which the gentleman from Ohio assigns, tor opposition
to the admission of more slave States, should cause
northern Democrats to advocate their admission But,
sir, this is not the reason of his opposition:
twas more the vote Of Texas, which defeated the
tariff bill of 42 than of Iowa That bill defeated
by the casting of Vice President from Pennsyl
vania and by Democratic votes from free well
slave States Ii it was because slave States send free
trade men to Congress- that the gentleman opposes the
admission of more slave States why is it that he
advocating the admission Of California knowing, as he
does, that there will thereby, be added, two freerade
to the number OF Senators OF the United States
No, sir this is but pretext. That gentleman, and
others, are influenced solely by feelings OF hostility to
the institution of slavery, and uneasonaby jealous OF
the South. They made no objection to the admission
of Iowa. Wisconsin, and other new States of the West
though all of those States send to the Senate OF the
United States much Opposed to the interest OF the
free labor OF the Morrill, the Senators from Tex
as The true difficulty, is the one have stated.
The gentleman processes to regard slavery as curse
and tells of the opinion of Mr. Jefferson and others
ohis day. That, sir, is his opinion and theirs. do
intend to argue this question We do not regard
it. We believe that in tropical, warm climates,
where two mouths moderate labor secures all tho ne
cessaries of life Involuntary labor essential to the de-
velopment OF the resources OF the country. History
teaches u.s. that the most stable have been
those in which slavery existed. cannot go into de-
tails on this branch of the question, but sha merely
refer gentlemen to the history OF the ancient Jews and
of Laced9mon. Rome did not lose her liberties, until
| the number other Freedmen became nearly equal to
the original Roman citizens. The strongest Govern
mens on this continent, except our own, those OF
Cuba and Brazil And here, in our own country,
do not find that southern have less of energy and
influence, than men OF the North Indeed, we daily
hear northern gentlemen complaining OF the undue in
uence of the South in the affairs of this confederacy
This does proceed from the force OF members, but
from the moral potuers Of Slavery. Nowhere is there
so pure spirit of freedom and true republicanism
with 1t true, that our population Is not so dense
with you. But numbers do not necessarily eonstl-
tue national strength, is exempified by the history
of Ireland and China.
We hear northern men Boosting Of the great increase
of their population. They tell of fifty thousand TO
regners becoming citizens OF some OF their States IN
single year. and exclaim "See how wonderfully pros
porous arew Does this accession add to their pros
pertyl Their amls houses become filled with paupers
and their poor lists alarming y increased. Sir, do not
believe there are dozen paupers IN my whole State
Nowhere is there so much individual happiness, as
among the southern people. We have numbers enough
tor all political purposes-enough to insure the respect
of other Governments. This point having been attain
ed think it would be better for us to reserve coun-
try for citizens, and their children Can you
say that life, liberty or property, are more secure with
you than with us! Is the happiness OF the present IN
habtants increased by the influx of foreign population!
When look to the power acquired by strangers to
our institutions, your Governments better-more
pure, secure, than with US! Is there not some
thing alarming in the disposition we among honor
able Senators-candidaes for the Presidency-to pan
der to this power. But, sir, cannot dwell longer on
this subject.
tell us it ought to be abolished You wish TO exterm
nate it, But you will not suffer emancpated slaves
to go among you Members OF the last Congress will
recolect the declarations OF gentleman from Ohio,
(Mr. Sawyer0 who was as firm and decided advo-
cate of Southern rights have ever had from
slaveholdpg State. But he told us that if set
slaves free none of them should go his State Three
hundred thousand treemen of Ohio would line the banks
of the Ohio river to receive them on the points OF their
bayonets and drive them from his State GU will not
receive them when they go among you with our assent
You only take them your hearts when they abscond
from their masters people will STEAL but will not
accept them gift. Northern men who seem 10 be
most sensitive on this subject are those who profess to
take the sacred Scriptures for their rule of moral
ton Let me cite them single passage from the Old
Testament
Rut Abram said unto Sarai. Behold thv maid is in
thu hands do to her as il peases thee And when Sa
NY dat b.rJlv with her She fled from her face And
10 HnneI of he Lord fonnd her bv fountain Of water
!le aigH, l VI o h tho nnnta;n IN the 1uav If b
AZ .a; Haoar Sarai's maid whence c3nest tboni
and whittier wilt thou 60? And she said flee from the
lace o. NY i har trn ~ tbn ,itross al h,;t
LORD saiu unio s., Gn9;s h Vyi @ 60
tnysei uiieo ne Menus I. Oh
How different Is the conduct OF your bole-oVln@ and
law abiding AboIhonlst what says gentleman
from Ohio Mr.: GlddngsH a.. c....a., r az.