The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-04
SO
CONTINUED FROM rIRsr PAeE.l

has always controlled the policy of this Government.
] think the honorable Senator from Kentucky was
magmnimous enough the other day, in his speech, 10
acknowledge this. Not only the legislative but the |
judicial power has always been in the hands OF the
South. II the question was asked 10 day, Of the
most ordinary the most asue observer OF passing
events who IL is Of all men that has had the most |
90 do control and shape the policy Of this Govern
ment, and make IL what IL IL, the answer would be |
that is the honorable Senator from South Carolina,
mr.. CALHOUN, who makes this charge. Did ne
not tell US with the mJdesty which always belongs TO
him. and with the honesty and truth which charac-
terize him that he more than any other man effected
the acquisition OF Texas to this country lie was then
private citizen Ii he could, in perfect consistency
with historical truth say that he more than any one
else effected that great ACT by which that country was
annexed and made part and parcel of our own, |
what must have been his influence while he occu- |
pied a seat in the other House in the pride OF his |
power when for eight years he was at the head
of the Department OF War, and for six years hled
the chair which you now occupy, If he could thus
control public policy in his retirement? M, sir
great and commanding as has been the influence OF
other gentlemen in the councils OF this nation, II
E. there be any one man who has stamped upon It's
character and features the impress OF his thoughts
and purposes, that man is the honorable Senator
from South Carolina, who addressed the Senate the
other day on this subject. But now he comes In and
files bill of indictment against the North for doing
that which all along they have resisted aud remon-
strated against
The next part of the speech to which | wish to
direct attention is the assertion that
Nevertheless small and contemplate as the party
then both of the great parties of the North dreaded
Them. They felt that though small, they organized
ing influence over the Northern mind Each party, that
account feared oppose their petitions lest the opposite
byftvoridg tneir petcns the ecrw SsrhurDJrtr nnco
in insisting that the petitions should be received and that
Congress should take jurisdiction OF the subject for which
they prayed
And speaking on the subject in another part of the
speech, on the 9th page, he says:
And Congress is invoked to do all this expressly with
That has avowed TO be the ultimate object
beginning Of the agitation until the present time and yet
the great body Of both parties Of the North, with the full
knowledge Of the fact although dsayowng the abolition.
ures"
I'll understand this, sir, il is distinct avowal
that the abolition movement has been received with
public favor from the commencement by both
parties in both Houses of Congress from the North
and at home. 1 undertake TO say that a declaration
more at war with the truth OF history could not posi-
bly, be affirmed in language The Aboitionsls, instead
of being received with public favor at the North, by
either party have been denounced in every possible
form in which language could denounce them
The meetings which they have holden in public places
have been broken in upon by lawless mobs. They
have been driven from the places where they had
a2a9Sabed for the exercise OF constitutional right
and TO such an extent had this spirit progressed that
the buildings in which they had assembled and had
been peaceaoS eArTtisirs the tIgSts 4t citizens,
n under the Constitution have been, IN at least one
instance burnt 10 the ground by "A mob. | don't
refer 10 these matters for the purpose OF reopening
any wounds that may have been healed up by the
soothing influence of time, but do contend that if
the Senate means to do justice, and the country
means to do justice, IL Is necessary and right that
the truth upon this subject should be made known
Sir there never has been sect that has arisen
since the Christian era that has been met at every
turn on every hand ON every side, and by all parties
with more bitter violent, unrelonting persecution
than these same Aboitionsts have been. Instead of
growing up by the public favor OF the North they
have grown up in spite Of the most determined
opposition They have lived upon persecution per-
secution and dcnunciatiOn have been everything
which they have had. And, sir TO show that upon
this matter do not speak without book, will refer
in the first place, to the proceedings of Congress on
this subject will show how far it is true in refer
ence to the House Of Representatives that both par
ties from the North have united in receiving their
petitions and taking jurisdiction oi the subject
The year 1885 is the time which is assigned the
commencement of this agitation; the time AT which
both parties at the North united in giving them pub
lie favor the time at which both parties in Congress
united in insisting that Congress should take Iuris-
dction of the subject, and that the petitions of the
Aboiionsts should be received. Ii will be found,
sir that in the House of Representatives on the Stl
day of February 1886 Mr. Pinckney introduced the
following resolution;
Resored That all the memorials which have been
offered may hereafter b. presented To this HOUSE pray
inc for the abolition of slavery n the u street ST Columbia
aud the resolutions offered by an honorable member
from Maine, tNr JurS) with the amendment thereto
nronosed hy an honorable member from Virginia mr.
Wise together with other paper proposition that
NAV be submitted in relation 70 the subject referred
select committee with instructions 10 report;
interfere in any way with the institution Of slavery ,y
of the States Of this Concieracyi and
THAT the opinion Of this House Congress ought not
10 interfere any with slavery the District o Coz
lumbia because would be violation " the public hih,
unwisc impotic, and dangerous To the Union-assgning
such reasons for these conclusions in the judgment
the committee may be best calculated TO eghten The pub
lie mind aly Excitement to repre- agitation To SECURE
aud maintain the Just rights ct the sayeholing States and
the people of this District and 10 restore harmony aud
tranquility amongst the var"us sections oi this Union
That resolution passed the House by a vote of
yeas l67 nays only L. That committee reported,
IN
"Resored That Congress possesses constitutional
authority interfere ia any way with the institution of
slavery In any Of the States of this Coneieracy.
Resored THAI Congress ought not to interfere in any
way with slavery IN the District Of Columbia
And whereas is extremely important AMI desirable
that the agitation of this subject should be finally arrested
for the purpose OF restoring tranquility TO the public mind
your committee respectfully recommend the adoption OF
the following resolution viz:
a ResoIped That all petitions memorials, resolutions
proposons or papers relating any way any extent
baeyer to the subject OF slavery or he abolition OF sa
very shall without being either printed referred be laid
upon the table, ana That no uIher action whatever shall
l. Passed Yeas 1872 nays9
q Passed Yeas l32, nays45
8 Passed Yeas M, nays Is.
2d session, 2iM Congress- page gE
Resolped, That all petitions memorials resolutions
propositions papers relating any way any extent
whatever, the subject Of slavery to the abolition If
slavery shall, without being printed referred, laid
upon the table, and that no further action shall be had
"T Passed Yeas l29, nays CO,
M, Pdtfons Journal H. H., 4i session. 25h Gang D. III.
DECEMBER n, 1871.
Issolred, That all petitions memorials and papers
touching the abolition Of slavery, the buying, selling
transferring slaves, State District Territory Of
the United States be laid upon the table, without being de-
bated, printed read or referred and that 10 further action,
shall be had thereon"
Passed Yeas ~ nays ~
Sd session" 2'A Congress- Page 81. :, ,,,.
Resolred That this Government is a government Of
limited powers and that by the Constitution United
States Congress has jurisdiction whatever the in
fituon Of slavery the several the ConeIsracy
2
In District of Columbia aud the Territories Of the
United States, and against e removal of slaves
State another part OF the plan operations ON
aud thus indirectly 10 destroy that institution within their
limits
8 ResOlred That Congress has no right To do that IN
directly which cannot do directly and that the agitation
the subject Of slavery in the District of lumba
Territories means aud with view Of disturbing
Overthrowing that institution in the several States,
against the spirit and meaning the Constitution
infringement Of the right OF the affected, aud breach
Of the public faith on which they entered into this Conled
eracy.
" Resored That the Constitution rests upon the broad
principle of equality among the members of this Conled
eracy; and that Congress, IN the of its acknowl.
edged powers has no right To discriminate between the
institutions Of portion Of the States aud another with
view Of abOlshing the one aud promoting the other
O. "ResOiUsd, therefore, That all attempts the part
Congress- abolish slavery IN the District Columbia
or the Territories prohibit the removal
state 10 State, between the nsutuns
one portion of the country and another with the views
aforesaid, in violation ui the CONSTITUTION destructive
ofthe fundamental principles which the Union Of these
States rests aud bey ond the jurisdiction 81 Congress; and
that every petition memorial resolution, proposition
paper, touching relating in rny way any extent
whatever slavery aforesaid, the abolition thereof
shall the presentation thereof without any further
ton thereon be laid the table, without being debated
printed, referred"
l. Passed Yeas 1873 naysG
2 Passed Yeas 1876, NAYS G5.
LIST member Of 3d resolution passed Yeas 10 NAYS ~.
"a member Of 81 resolution passed: Yeas lbi nays ~