Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-03-04
For my part, regard this Union as above all price
know Of no arithmetic by which to compute the value

All! II So then shall be great deal less solicous
that these discussions shall be queted-that these notes
Of harsh discord which we hear resounding through
this hall from day to day shall cease But if the Union
is danger, If it shall stand with all its present mag
nicent allotment of States and Of great communities
there danger that the history Of its future career
will be marked with continued jealouses discomfort,
violent hatred and animosity, which will assuredly i'm
pair its energy and strip OF halt its blessings! These,
sir are the considerations which wish to present upon
this point: And who will make difference In the es-
mated value of the proposed cession between five, and
even ten millions ct dollars it nterposed between future
harmony and future dscord future fraterna feeling and
future ranking hate! Sir cannot conceive that there
can be any difficulty upon this proposition. mean as
to the of the consideration proposed to be given
to Texas.
Well, sir, my next proposition is as follows:
Resolped, That when the population of that portion
of the territory claimed bV Texas lying south of the
34h parallel Of north latitude and west of the Coora
do shall be equal the rate Of representation in Con-
gress under the last preceding apportonment according
to the provisions Of the constitution, and the people OF
such Territory SHALL with the assent OF the new State
contemplated in the preceding resolution, have adopted
State constitution republican in FORM they be admitted
into the Union as State upon equal footing with the
original States.
The principal point in this resolution is the prospective
admission of another State to be carved out of the Ter
rtory of Texas whether slave free to be determined
by the people 1t will probably be slave State. In
regard to which have to remark that the apprehenslons
of the North the subject of the creation OF new slave
States need not be excited by the reading OF this reso
luen. When admitted, it will be the last OF its race:
1t will and must close the account, IN my Judgment OF
slave States then and forever, tor long as this
Union lasts If this proposition should be adopted, and
this Territory be admitted into the Union as state,
there will then have been three slave States carved out
of the territory belonging TexasTexas and the two
new slave States now proposed to he admitted
This number you will recollect MIR. President 1as lar
short of the calculations OF Southern gentlemen OF the
advocates Of the annexation OF Texas, when that ques
ton was presented to the American people -Four or
five slave States it estimated would be carved out
of that territory -Four slave States might be carved
out of thar territory, because there country extern
sive enough rich enough fertile enough to sustain
population that would authorize its division into four
States; but, with the arrangement now proposed 1t
would be impossible that such project should be ever
entertained. The people of these two States will not
consent to have their boundaries cut down to re-
duce them to the condition OF medium sized States OF
this Union. They expect to be, and will maintain the
prospect of being large and popuous States OF this
Union Therefore, sir there can be prospect OF the
further admission OF slave States into the Union at any
time.
My next resolution proposes to incorporate all the ter
ritory claimed by Texas north OF the Bath parallel Of
north latitude, and extending to the AID parallel OF
north latitude, with the Territory OF New Mexico; and
that those Territories united have form OF Govern
men provided for them suitable to the condition OF the
population and without any restriction upon the subject
of slavery. The resolution IS IN these words:
RESOLVED, That all the territory now claimed by
Texas lying north OF the 34th parallel OF north latitude
and which may be coded to the United States by lex
except such part thereof lies east OF the Rio Grande
and south Of the Bath parallel OF north latitude and that
the Territory so composed form State to be admitted
into the Union when the inhabitants thereof shall adopt
constitution republican in form, with the OF
Congress; but in the time, and until Congress
shall give such consent provision be made tor the 60
vernen OF the inhabitants OF SAID Territory suitable
to their condition, but without any restriction as to sla-
very.
The first point which will be suggested to the mind
OF honorable Senators by this resolution is that here IS
surrender OF q degrees oil slave territory be theeat
ter free territory The southern boundary othese united
territories east of Rio Grande will be l20 miles south OF
Santa Fe, and extending thence east to the western
boundary of the present Indian territory OF the United
States The point to which wish to direct the atten-
ton of Senators is, that for whatever portion OF terrific
ry that may be claimed to be free and included in the
Territory proposed to be erected into new State west
of the Trinity and south OF the 34h parallel OF north
latitude, there will be equivalent Of slave territory
surrendered lying north OF the 3fth parallel OF north
latitude Ii will be remembers that the Missouri COM
promise line is the parallel OF Sc degrees 30 minutes.
Thus two and half degrees OF slave territory will be
given up to become Free as think will be conceded in
the candid Judgment all Then, sir, all ground of
opposition is taken away from this proposition on the
part Of those who may be called the mo inch OF new
slave territory party ] mean that party who could
not sleep on their pillows who would prefer to see
the good old ship the Constitution blowd into thou
sand atoms rather than have one inch OF what is now
free territory with their consent polluted with slavery
say this with i'll feeling, but merely Tor the purpose
of stating strongly that here is equivalent OF slave
territory given up be made free territory for all that
is claimed to be now included in the boundaries oil the
new States proposed to be carved out o. Texas
Another point worthy of consideration in this propo-
sition u.s. that il would close the controversy between
Texas and New Mexico IN regard TO the territory on
the Rio Grande 1t is proper to mention that small
portion OF this territory lies south OF the saith parallel OF
north latitude, and east OF the Rio Grande embracing
region Of little value lett to be embraced IN the new
State now to be admitted. But by the acceptance OF
this proposition the controversy growing out OF the lex
an claim to the Rio Grande will be finally adjusted;
The government which have proposed for the Ter
ritory of New Mexico thus united with that which may
be ceded by Texas to be suitable to the cond-
ton to the people OF the country, but to be without
any restriction as to slavery ttmay be Territorial
Government the usual FORM that Thought BEST and
then will be in conformity with the propositions OF the
Senator from Kentucky (Nr Clayl With
out the preamble attached to his. Ii there be any diff
Guilty with regard that sugge,t that may be in the
nator from Michigan, (Mr. Walker0 to the Senates
bill at the last session of Congress- OF the amend
ment submitted by the Committee OF Ways and Means
the House OF Representatives to that Dill after 1t mad
passed from the Senate. For every point o. practical
utility either of these propositions would suffice For
one il is my deliberate judgment that whatever form OF
Territorial Government be established, whether pro-
yjsional or other Government with or without restric-
tions in regard to slavery there Will be the same pract
cal result.
strcting slavery if it is certain that slavery Will never
exist there in any event answer because the pro-
position to impose this restriction has been the chief
OF the agitation in the Southern section Of the
Union since the question was rst raised IN rela-
lion to the disposition which should be made OF these
Territories The right to impose is questioned in the
cause it is UNNECESSARY 1t is looked upon in the light
of wanton insult to the feelings and pride Of the South
1t may still be said that slavery may lind ioohod
there While the present organization OF material cea
ton stands, African slavery never find foothold in
New Mexico
Mr. CoRwIN. Why?
Mr. BELL The honorable Senator from Ohio asks
me why? BECAUSE, say, sir that by the formation of
the country it has no such adaptation to agricultural
employment as that sa, labor can ever possibly bepo
ftable 1t is region far elevated than any which
has ever yet been successfully cultivated by slave labor
1t is so wholly unsuitable in every respect that slave la
Dor can never find profitable employment there The
demand for labor in the mines will be amply supplied
by the thousands free emgrants who will go there
soon as mines shall be discovered rich enough to justify
laon, which supplies the cheapest labor OF all Why,
them upon the the minds OF gentlemen that
now nconcevabe to the maginaton-should the fate
Of the Union, or its continued harmony, be eopaded by