The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-26


for our acquescence in il. But even at the North,
it win only aggravate, not allay agitation. Were
mere lust of political power the sole motive of the
North in seeking our exclusion, they know but
too well the effect, in the absence of an express
prohibition, of its threat, to exclude. They would
on that account keep legislative action always i'm
pending. To the like conclusion would tend the
fanatical and mere political motives that SO largely
induce this perniclous agitation. Fanatics, who
wiser than Christianity, conceive slavery dire sin
and demagogues who pander to popular passions
for their selfish purposes, will never for years
dure, even in regard to the territories, the policy
of inacon, subtle and certain its effects fol
our exclusion. If they did, it would only be to
cast themselves, in the language of one of theii
fiery zealots, |" an irresistible wave, with more
violent ashings against the nextsaent point of sa
very" At the utmost the agitation could not be
STAYED off beyond the next Presidential election
in which the policy to the territories must be in
evitably leading issue, unless final adjustment
be previously effected.
Rely, on it, MIR. Speaker, this Sinking, shut.
fling policy will fail of its promised end. II leaves
ranking thorn to maintain constant irritation
and excitement. Instead Of healing the existing
wound, it keeps it open, a running sore. This
matter has reached crisis, and must be met with
: bold and decisive treatment. Tmidity under such
circumstances has been the bunder as well as
wrong committed by the Administration. Evasion
of the just responsibility of encountering the per-
ncious Free Soil doctrines, has involved it in UNI
constitutional usurpattons, plunged it into innu-
merable embarrasments, and inflicted on the South
foul wrong. And are these things to be cloaked
under the specious Probabilities of respect for the
people of the Territories and non-intervention
Respect for the rights Of the people in thousands
ofmiles of vacant territory, where in fact there
are no people, is to justify the utter disregard Of the
rights Of the people of hafthe States ofths Union,
the sole propretors and sovereigns Of the whole I!
NOu-intpryenfIOn with the Sl,n Of this H.
ministration was not wont to be advocated or de-
Tended. But let that pass. Properly understood,
it could only contemplate that the citizens of all
the States ofthe Union should be equally free to
enter and settle with their property on the common
territories of the on,--slaveholder and nom
shareholders to be on precisely the same footing
of equality and right and to be equality protected
bythelaw and policy ofthe government; that proper
Territorial Governments being organized reason
able periods should be allowed for such settlement,
and then full and free opportunity of electing and
determining their domestic institutions, should be
allowed to the people of each Territory. This was
to be fair and equal and by it all might have been
content to abide. But under this name of non-in-
tervention, is it to be tolerated that there should
be the most effectual Intervention against the
South that while shareholders with their proper
ty had been kept out, and an adverse decision
was inevitable, the people should be invited and
encouraged to establish an organic law Of perpet-
ual exclusion and stamp it on vast regions ofunin-
habted space and that such process is to be repeat
ed as often necessary for our perpetual disfian-
chisement? Sir, it is gross outrage on the South.
The whole policy, its recommendations and de-
fences, should be scorned and repudated by every
saveholdng State.
have spoken on this subject, Mr.. Speaker,
strongly and warmly. With my feelings, Icould
do no less but, trust, without trace of per-
sonal bitterness towards the President For Gen
eral Taylor, as have said, have respect and
kindness. do not in fact hold him responsible
for the action and policy developed in that mes
sage. Heis, believe, an honest, brave old SOL
der His life has been passed in the field and the
camp. His training has been to arms and COM
mand, not to deliberaton and investigation in the
chamber of council or the halls Of legislation 1t
is no disparagement to his character or intellect to
hold him not profound in national or constitutional
law He would be more than mortal man if he
were. His Cabinet have been differently raised
and exercised They have been selected for their
supposed maturity of wisdom and fulness Of ex-
perience on such subjects. On them General
Taylor would naturally rely, and by their counsels
be guided in all such matters. In justice and in
truth, his Cabinet are responsible for the uncon-
stitutional action, the usurpaton and the incidi-
Gus tendencies Of the policy disclosed by that mes
sage. Such responsibility before this House and
the country would fix upon them. The conse-
quences of his action and the results of his policy
were surely not appreciated by the President. |
muCn lear me, his unSuSpeCtiIlS honesty mas Deen
practised on-his generous confidence abused
The pretext of extending protection and encour-
agement to a distant community, cast mainly on
Executive care, has been used to induce wide de-
parture from his just line Of duty and serious en-
croachment on the coordinate departments of this
Government His desire to give peace to an agi-
tated country, and allay alarming sectional ami
mosities, have been made subservent to a policy
of insidious Acknowledgement and exclusion Of the
people of the slavehoding States. Sir, it wonld
be hard to have the wrong and insult of exclusion
from territories so largely won by its blood and
treasure inflicted on the South by the tyranny Of
Northern majority. But far more grievons would
it be, to have the same injury insdously perpe-
trated through the fundamentally of Southern
President and stakeholder. His interests, his
sentiments the associations of his life, forbid it.
cannot, will not believe General Taylor would
knowingly do such wrong to his section. Thank
God, we have no traitors at the South. Her sons
4" are true to the last moment of breath true to
her honor and her rights.
There are yet time and opportunity for repara-
ton and correction of the evils inflicted on the
South by the action and policy of the Administra-
ion Heaven grant that General Taylor's mind
may be enlightened to their scope and effects
Humble as am, would that could reach him in
an appeal thrilling my feelings would die
tate! His native State, that mother of heroes and
who is proud to hold him among the
first of her living sons, with the claim of parent |
age and nurture, should call on him to forbear.
That gallant State, which reared him in boyhood
and youth, and sent him forth in early manhood
to his career of arms and glory, should appeal to
him not to trample on the rights Of her sons. In
the name Of Louisiana, the abode of his mature
years, by all the affections of home and hearth
stone by all the associations and interests Of neigh
bors and friends, would conjure the remuneration
Of policy, that at no distant day must realize to
her the horrors and the destnes of st. Domingo.
would bear back his memory to the trials and
the triumphs he hos shared with the gallant sons
of the South, his fellow soldiers and compatriots
in the conflicts which so largely won these very
acquisitions from which they and theirs are to
be excluded. In the bloody trenches of Mon
terey in the midst of the din and smoke Of battle,
again should he see the valiant soldiers of the
South rush on to the cannon's mouth, and mount
!" the imminent deadly BREACH" with their man
eled bodies piing high the pedestal Of his fame.
And on that memorable field of Buena Vista, at
that most critical juncture, when all seemed lost
save honor, again should his heart bound with
hope as he hailed the approach Of the noble regi-
ment Of Mississippians, and beheld them steady,
undismayed, (through the very midst of the brave
but unfortunate troops of the North, then, through
a mistaken order, discounted and in rout,) with
souls untouched by panic, and nerved to do or die