The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-15
CONGRESSIONAL.

OF GEORGIA,


SPEECH OF MIR. BERRIEN,
GEORGIA.
o. &.suis @ Slqysry n tAs Isrri,oriss delivered u
day, February IL and IL, 1850.
The Senate, as in committee OF the whole, proceeded
the consideration OF the following resolutions submit
ted by Mr.. CLAY;
the Union Of these Sta,es see and adjust amcably al
existing questions Of controversy hen arising
q ine Institution o. slavsy upon iai equitable and Just
st Rssovsd Tha, California with suitable boundaries
States OF this uno without tie imposition by Congress OF
any restriction 10 respect 10 the exclusion Introduction
OF slavery within those boundaries
2 Rxsopsd, That slavery does exist by law, and
is not Likely 70 be inoineed INTO any Of the territory ac
quired by the United States from the republic ofMexico, Il
snsxpedien for Congress provide BY law either for
rs introduction INTO o. exclusion rom any aSt sad
ongt be established by Congress in all Of The said
rtory assigned the bries o ihs proposed State
Of California, without The adoption Of any restriction or
condition on the subisct Of siayyry.
3D. Resoped That boundary ofthe State OF Tex
onght be liked Tue kio del Norie commencing one
marine league IRON IL oah and naing up hat river 10
eas.ey, and so continuing direction the iine
established betwesn the uned States and Spain, ex-
codng any portion New Mexico, whether lying The
4t RssoDsd T&at be proposed the State Of Texas,
that the United States viii provide Tor the payment ot all
that portion OF the efnae and bona d pubic aebs Of
that State contracted PRIOR 10 the United
pledged by the said creditors, exceeding the
sum Of y cons'iea,on p hs d. said 4 duties 50
alter the said annexato, hut nyas thenceiofward be-
also the said siae shah. BY solemn and authentic
OF her legislature, Of convention, renqush 10 the
United States any ciam we e has 70 any part Of New
9th. ResoiDd That nespedient abolish slavery in
the District Columbia, ist hat institution continues
exist in the State OF Mar d Without the consent o that
State without the people Of the District, and
without Just compensation y me owners q slaves Whln
Oh But Resolved Tha, is exp den, prohibit within
States places beyonl iis of the District either to
be sold MERCHANDISE 10 be transported 70 other
markets without the DIslnct OF Columbia.
Rssoved That iore sisc,aal provision ought to be
made by law, accords the rcquenent Of the consti
labor III any State who escape into any
other State Territory ii iae Union.
Res0ptd That Congress power to prohibit or
the trade the slavehoding States;
bur that the admission or excsion OF slaves brought from
into another oil them uecds exclusively upon their
particular laws
Mr.. BERRIEN addressed the Senate as follows:
Mr. President: | am very sensible, sir, OF the diff
culties which encompass the subject that engages
the consideration OF the Senate. OF these difficulties,
some are intrinsic II they do not belong and nheIe in
the subject under discussion they have been 50 absolute
ly Identified with it, that there have been moments OF
dependency in which have been tempted 10 Tear that 1t
might not De possible sunnount them. An interest OF
vast magnitude is Affected directly indirectly, BY the
principles which involved in the discussion before the
Senate Ii is Impossible 10 esti the magnitude OF
that interest by consideration o It's pecunlary advan
tage, great that unquesoraby IS No, sir there arc
feelings inseparably associated with thai interest," which
no man unconnected with IL IS capable OF apprecating.
They are the recolecioas oil iniancy they the
paons of manhood; ey are the graver thoughts OF de-
ciniug age. Ii is associated with habits, with some
OF the very best arcons of That interest
has been Tudely peseveInsy assaiied were idle to
forbcar state useless attempt deny, the fact
More recently, the oppus has sys,emaZed
and extended, justly excite the apprebensons Of
every reflectng mind The people oil the South at
length to OF the danger TO which they
exposed You will permit me to say thai you have
awakened feeling which no longer be trIfed with.
speak plainly; the occasion demands it, utter
You WILL trust listen to the friendly voice OF the
srt in which il is offered repeat, sir that utter no
menace II is not my purpose TO do My respect for
myself for the Senate and especially for my associates in
this chamber, would necessarily exclude them from any
remark which have to make.
The fanalicism by which we are now assaied was, IN
its origin, probably as annoying 10 our OF
the free States They did Join II, but
they did oppose they did not oppose with the
effect which might then have been given TO their opposl'
on la fact and 10 certain extent they gave their
sanction, by the appreciation OF the principles which
pofessed, and BY simply pointing to the constitution as
the reason why those principles could not he enforced
10 oi time these principles or those who advo
Gated them, acquired strength which was elt In The
conflicts Of party in the free S.aes and then they were
coured by each party
In the course OF the last year this feeling has more
amply developed itself We have seen a large section
ola great party seeding from Their political associates
upon The avowed ground OF what they denomnaie fee
SOIL" And we have witnessed the remnant OF that parry
and the aggregate OF their opponents struggling 10 de
clare and prove their greater devotion TO thus principle
The united Norh has thus become engaged in crusade
against the rights and The interests OF the South II IS
composed OF wings and democrats, oil seceders,
and abolilonisls and the South thus put under the
ban OF the republic
Now, sir, Il cannot surprise you il, with this manifest.
alton OF universal disposition IN the Tree Siaes, 10 va
rous modes, TO assai interest which IS cherished IN
the Soulht cannot surprise you II this has awakened
feeling that portion of the Union, which am bound 10
say be subjected to further irritation unless you
willing 10 place IT beyond your control and beyond
ours; in word, sir, beyond all human control Ihe
feeling TO which have reference IS not that which y
nolslly uttered by the denagogue IN popular assemblies
Ii moi that which forms the theme oil the political par
feeling which is sadly expressed in the family Circle and
around the domestic hearth. IL is that eeBg which you
have awakened IL is that feeling which you must re.
spect in your future legislation up0n this subject
1 have united, hereioiofe-a personal hazard oil
the sacrifice Of popularity and staonl have united
with my friends OF the tree States oreseeing tue
quences OF the which were in operation
have Joined with them such hazard in the effort
10 prevent IT, We failed The evil IS upon The
territory which we have acquired by All expenditure o
blood and treasure about 10 subject usunless, unde
the mercy OF Providence, guided by wiser
sells than those have exhibed-to expenditure,
comparison with which the blood asd treasure expendea
upon the Mexican conquest would sink into nsgnih
canoe have united with The REPRESENTATIVES Of the rs'
States in the effort prevent the occurrence oi Tins dil
Guilty Nav sir IL some three oil them could have
remained firm. upon the ground they had occupied, :
would have been prevented am desirous now 10 untt
in averng il be possible the dangers whlchsre thrta
ened Il ,nay require sell sacrice II may require
the sacrifice o popularity or official station. am Willing
10 make il, il you will present me any ground upoa whel