The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04
WHOLE NO. 1873.

1 "
and quarters SCI up IN the DaO pubic place rere such f1c
| tcGS commit ed"
law, still in force here requires every free
black, or mulatto person, to prove his freedom or
be committed to prison and sold for the Jail fees
Citizens Of the free States, who have contributed
by their votes to the election Of our President if
their complexion happens to be dark are liable 70
the penalty Of this law, unless they can produce
certificate Of their freedom from some Oppressor
who has subverted the Government Of God Yes,
"~'"--7h9 --~~-s - "-''@-'->s , '2S--y' "
eminent, ne is liable 70 De sold INFO slavery
These, sir, are some Of the fruits Of nou-agita-
ton. Their growth in the very heart Of the Re
public has weakened our political fabric and poi
soned the moral sensibilites of the nation. See
the effects on our navy in the degradation of
American seamen, with the disgraceful cat ~
Behold our conduct towards the poor Indian
Watch its effects on the political parties of our
country, and even on our diplomatic relations
We have employed our greatest talents in en-
deavoring to incorporate into international law the
recognition Of slavery and thereby have disgrdced
the Republic in the eyes Of Europeans We have
just terminated the appalling scenes of a bloody
and cruel war, carried on against sister Repub-
Tic that was emerging from a state of ignorance
and superstition, and beginning to initiate in
self-government-a people who had been already
sufficiently tortured by political demqgogues and
military chieftains; and we are now striving to
forge chains of slavery for present and yet I'M
born millions by the organization Of pro-slavery
governments over the territories acquired by that
very war. We are urged to grant new facilities
for the arrest Of the painting fugitive who is seek
ing for freedom, and for his return to state of
cruel, lSs.long bondage
Mr.. Chairman, these are some Of the great ma
tional vices that have justly caused agitation
throughout the whole Confederacy Ine sttenkon
of the American People has been arrested by the
heroism Of noble pioneers in the cause Of the op-
pressed. They feel deeply grieved at these out
RACES committed against their countrymen, which
demand redress ut our hands aud guarantee
against the future. Yet we are hidden hy distin-
guished men to hush hush you must not ag-
tate the country with these fanatical questionsi
We are further told that we have great mis-
sion abroad, in order to divert our minds from
| wrongs at home! Sir, | brand this cry with nv
pocrisy. Look at our domestic despotism We
have drawn geographical line, and said, in our
statute books, if any man shall dare to kidnap
and sell his brother on the one side he shall be
considered pirate, and be hung up to the yard
arm; but, on the other, even in the very heart Of
the Republic, if he will pay four hundred dollars
| a year, he may commit the worst of piracy with
IMMUNITY This is American law--the law of
this GLORIOUS Union, which boasts of its Justice,
its equality, and fraternity Yes, sir, this, am
sorry to say, seems to be our highest conception
of moral consistency!
| A member of this House, mean the gentle
man from Maryland MIR. McLANE said he did
| not believe the Union could exist If the great
body of the Northern Representatives come here
complaining that slavery was a national disgrace
and moral wrong. Mr.. Chairman, understand
that one of the paramount objects gained by es-
tablishing Federal Legislature, was free discus.
| a,n al.
or indirectly connected with the General Govern
ment, not even excluding the Constitution itself,
and let me say, for all that when free debate,
conducted in courteous manner, with reference
| to any wrong existing in our common country,
shall tend TO dissolve the Union shall he ready
to say let 1t be dissolved | shall not consent to
have paddock put upon my lips under any such
| plea! union that Is barrier to free discussion,
which is one Of the legitimate means Of progress
and reform, is union of bgotry and superstition
q union Of arrogance and cowardce, alike mt war
with reason and humanity. Sir, this silly talk and
| these threats Of dissolviug the Union of these
States is not respectful to the understanding of the
| People The Union that holds us together, is
| of a much higher character than slavery. Ii 1t
| were not my prayer would be that II be blown to
| the four winds of heaven Yes, sir, 10 Ia union
Of intelligence. II Is union of consanguinity Ii
is union bound with the strong ties Of social po
litical, aud commercial interests. IL is a union
wherein the more human frailties are discussed
and the wrongs that tend to weaken it are con-
demned, the stronger will 1t be.
Mr.. Chairman, we have heard great deal said
during the last few months, in this Hall about set
Ting difficulties that now agtate Congress aud
the country Various projects of compromise and
concessions have been proposed. Why, there Is
but one way to settle this matter, and that is TO
cease to do wrong, and learn to do right. Take
of the handouts and letters, and expunge from
statute hooks the barbarous laws that deprive sew
eral thousands Of American citizens Of their God-
given rights Sir what would gentlemen think
If their own dear wives and children were wrested
from them without any charge Of crimel Could
your sympathy be suppressed In order to have the
difficulty compromised Would you be willing
to compromise and feel satisfied to have only part
of your family restored Or, IL it was but one of
your children that was taken would you be will.
ing to have that child divided2 No, you would
reject any such proposition with indignation
Your affection could not be annihlated by any
Legislative act. Neither can the dearest sympa-
thies Of the Nations heart be driven out by any
act OF Congress Sir, we appear, like children,
unmindfu OF the age In which we live, when we
make such foolish propositions
Sir, you may pass your Compromise bill
which is well named, because it compromises the
integrity Of the American character, while sacri-
hcing the interests OF humanity-and you may
add to 1t what will be looked upon by foreign ma
tions as a bribe) the sum Of ten millions Of dol
lars to pay for Texas scrip, now In the hands Of
spectators, worth but one million, and you will
behold IL swallowed up by the indignation Of the
People, quicker than were the rods Of the ancient
Egyptian conjurers!
But, sir, with q full knowledge Of all our ma
tiona frailties aud the strong indications Of the
10 al II La.,o
heard stated this floor, that unless the Federal
Government shall ioierate and protect slavery
wherever II has jurisdiction, its functions shall be
arrested by q one-ffth rule allude to the deo-
laration Of the honorable gentleman from North
Carolina, Mr.. CIdSGMAN This seems TO be his
notion, TINT a minority has right TO do Whatever
would be right for majority to do; and assuming,
as he does, that the minority has political right
TO judge as to what would be right for the major
ity, he virtually repudiates the Democratic prin-
cple Of the msjority's right to control. Why,
sir, Nicholas Of Russia would need no stronger
argument than this to sustain what be claims to
be Divine right-the sole right to govern an
empire
But, sir, notwithstanding the gentleman may
be honest in his views IL looks to me extremely
arrogant and disrcspectful TO Congress. do not
believe the Southern representation generally
sympathixe with him In what appears TO be his set
tied purpose Why, Mr. Chairman, II thought
the American Congress was about to 30 far degrade
itselfas TO yield to this principle, and that the
People would ratify 1t, l would move 10 expunge
the Declaration Of Independence, wrap the Re
public In the winding-sheet Of death, and consign
II to the tomb Of oblivion
II the fondost hopes Of Washington, Adams,
Hancock, Jefferson, and Lsfsy cite, are to be thus
blasted, and the grand experiment Of self-gOvern-
ment IL to fall the quicker II Is known the better
IL should be known to the struggling masses Of
the Old World, who are watching our experiment
20 anxiously and hopefully. They should not
longer DO misied. But, sir, have no such fears,
especially when hear other high minded South
ern mon say, that they are willing to discuss the
subject Of slavery and AZ IL be wrong TO let Il