Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-19
SIX DOLLARS PER ANNUm.

US our Just rights, and we are ready, as ever here
toore, to stand by the Union every part of it, and
Its every interest Refuse it, and for one, will
strike for Independence.
} Mr.. STEVENS, of PENNSYLVANIA reneved the amend-
ment. lie was somewhat puzzled, he said to know
how TO vote upon this question. AT first he had not
much doubt about it, but since of his distinguished
colleagues had gone and since he found that the gen
> tleman from Delaware going with the South, he
quite frightened for he did not know what would
be the consequence, il dsunion should take rIace and
they should be against u.s. He hoped the gentlemen
would retract and let fairly and leave at least
doubtful questions where the gentleman from Delaware
Wdsor leaving them, with the people themselves But
seriously, he could not support this amendment and he
did not want TO hold out the idea the South for he
desired to deal frankly, if Extensively with Them
tie was not willing to hold the idea to the South
that he believed that any considerable portion of the
North were in favor OF the principle ofthis amendment
tor he did not believe was the And he believed
they would ind, however much they might be inclined
to lay the tiattering JUNCTION to their souls now what
had been demonstrated oday by the gentleman from
New Jersey and others to be true, that when the
SION comes, although as the gentleman had we'll said,
they would not be here themselves they would find
successors who held no such principles He believed
was the settled purpose OF vast majority of the
Norn mat no new slave States should be admitted into
the Union out OF Territory that was row free Let
gentlemen make this the test ofther policy; let go
70 the country that this was test question though he
did not believe it was-and he would ask no better test
ne would ask no better platform to sand upon But
there was another kind OF principle which he thought
ought to govern them, and was this: when the Con-
stltuon was formed the slave States then the Union
were allowed to have their slave property represented
hve slaves counting equal to three teemen 1t said
then to be evidently unjust unless other kinds opropery
We're permitted also to be represented but there
nothing In the constitution which required that this pri
vege should be extended to States yet appear
ed that of the representatives of the free States
were ready and willing now to admit slave States
and to extend to them this principle although the con-
sutlon did not require it, They willing that in all
the new States and five slaves should have as
many votes as four OF their free constituents He un-
dersood his respected colleague from Luzerne and his
respected colleague from Union county, being willing
give to five slaves and their master the new States
as many votes as four Of their white constituents were
entitled to. Let this fact go their constituents.
Mr. WILLIAMS made remark which did not reach
the ear OF the reporter.
Mr.. STEVENS said he did not intend 10 misrepresent
his colleague He repeated, that such would be the Ell
fec OF admitting new States in which the institution of
slavery prevailed. Every State where slavery ex-
listed would be entitled representation in the Federal
Congress- based upon slave representation in the pro-
portion OF tive slaves for three eenen and the people
oil the old Connecticut reserve and the honest woman
ry OF the Union, were to be balanced against slave
| representation in that way He, for one, could never
agree to any such doctrine The constitution did not
require it; and by the Constitution he would abide.
He withdrew the amendment.
Mr.. VINToN renewed the amendment. He said he
should vote against the proposition, and also against
the one which his colleague had given notice that he
should offer. What was the proposition? 1t was that
if any State hereafter formed constitution which per-
med or recognized slavery, this should be obstacle
to its admission into the Union. Take (said Mr. VI
the hrs OF these aernatives-orI suppose the meaning
is that it constitutes no constitutional or legal obec-
ton against their admssion-take the first of these al
ternatives that it shall be objection the admission
OF State into the Union that it with constitu
ton that excludes slavery. Why, sir want no such
affirmation as that. Already sir since the adoption of
this constitution, States have into the Union
with such provision in their constitutions and great
er number have in with constitutions admitting
slavery If there is anything that is settled more ndis
puaby than another it is that there is constitutional
or legal objection to the admission OF State the
ground that slavery is excluded am not for affirming
proposition that is undisputed The very OF pro-
posing to affirm implies that is disputabe and
shall not vote to throw doubt upon proposition that
Is more hrny settled in the history Of this Government
than any other perhaps that can be named AS South
ern man. would not vote for the proposition, and as
| Northern man will not. do not wish any such pro-
position made. There is no doubt about the fact and
| therefore | am not for voting for it, The whole thing
is neither more nor less than waste OF me it is per-
fecty idle is matter that would be appropriate
in debating cub-here nothing in it that pertains
legislation. We are supposed to be engaged in the bu
sness of legislation, but this proposition not egsla
ton, it does partake OF the character of legislation
it is mere abstraction which benefits nobody and
amounts to nothing. That is my objection.
He withdrew the amendment.
Mr. STEPHENS OF Georgia renewed the amendment,
and said wish, Mr. Chairman, to put question to
taken his seat. lwsh to know if he would vote for the
admission Of State into the Union with a constitution
recognizing African slavery? He has just said that
admission OF such State but there might be some
Sentimental" objection. We have heard strange doc
trnes atey-we have heard of principles and senti-
nents higher than the law, and carrying obligations
stronger than the Constitution. 1t is useless for the
gentlen an to tell me that there could be legal or
constitutional objection to the admission of slave
Stateinto the Union. 1'hatl know quite WELL And it
is equally useless for him to tell what has been the
past history OF the country this subject that also
know quite well. But know likewise, that there is a
party in the North who that there shall be no more
slave States Notwithstanding there sno legal consti-
tutlonal objections to their admissions and want to
know if the gentleman from Ohio belongs that party
her mt tha dirantlx
HIM ii he would vote tor the admission OF State with
constitution recognizing slavery? put the question to
him, and want him to answer it here in the presence
OF this House, and before the American people. pause
for reply
Several voices. He is silent
Yes, Continued Mr.. ST., the gentleman is silent
call upon the House and the country to note the
import of that silence If the amendment proposed be
such bare abstraction as ne represents it, why does
he not respond to my plain, but direct question: am
bound TO infer, sir, that he would vote TO admit
State, the people in any of territories should form
constitution with slavery. And am bound to infer
the thing of all those other gentlemen around mo-
who profess to be for the Presidents plan they call
1t. That plan, am bound to believe, understood
by the President to be nothing but the adoption ofthe
principles OF this amendment tor the territories. That
principle is, to let the people decide this question for
themselves when they form State constitution and
yet, strange to say, only two gentlemen Of the Wing
party from the North, Mr. Butler and Mr.. Casey,l
both of Pennsylvania have this day risen and declared
this floor that they would stand by that plan good
faith call the especial attention OF the House and the
country to this tac and ask any fair and candid man.
if my colleague Mr.. Toombs] not right the other
day, when he charged upon members OF this House
who had pretended to espouse that PLAN purposes Of
fraud and deception? Yon cannot escape from it, You
are for the plan only far as it suits you interest.
You will let the people settle the question, provided
they settle il your way, but they do not, then you
will reject their application to be admitted States
Sir, want this House purged upon this, question. |
want no equiyocation, evasion, no lodging and
skuking If you are for the Presidents plan, if you
in favor leaving this question for the people un-
,lammeed to decide for the%seyes have the manness
people believe thatyou when you are not. intend
to speak plainly to the gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Vm-
toni He cannot deceive me in this matter How did
he vote on the bill introduced last session by the pre-
sent Secretary ofthe Navy, to allow the people of
California TO form constitution for Themselves I'M
tram0leled hV CONGRESS- 1hat x,as ths p,as;dant,s