Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-12

so as 70 prevent the extension of slavery territory
tree and to abolish slavery and the slave wherever either
exists under the jurisdiction of Congress.
Resolved That Senators and in Con-
be requested to resist by all every
the extension slavery any manner wbeber Nv h
annexation savehog Texas of territory now free or by
the admission TO the Union Of territory already acquired or
which may be hereafter acquired without an probb
ton of slavery either in the constitution of each new State
asking admission, or in the act ofCongres providing for such
admission.
Resolved further That Senator's and Repres
Congress be requested support every and prudent
umba for the entire Suppression of the slave trade the
high seas and wherever else Congress has jurisdictions and
generally relieve the Federal Government all respon
sbiy for the existence maintenance tolerance slavery
or the traffic in slaves.
Resolved further That our Senator's Congress be instruct
and our to use their exertions
for the speedy organization of for New
Mexico and California with provision forever excluding in
voluntary ser r1 except for crime, thererom
the foregoing resolutions each of Senators and Rep
resentaves in Congress- and &c the Governor of each State
In The Union Approved, November IL, lSi9.
Mr.. BUTLER shall voh for the printing Of the reso-
utons They Of precisely the character as others
that have been offered from the savehodng States and
which have been received and printed therefore adhere 10
the usage and precedent So long represent in part one
OF the sovereign States of this Inion shall extend perhaps
may be only naked courtesy to the other States Of this
Union in the printing of papers Of this kind shall vote
tor the printing for different desire to let the
Southern States see the progress Of opinion the North
and to hear and understand the language used reference
understand that the Northern States say that they are un-
worthy Of association in the Confederacy being
with crime, and wish them TO know particularly by whom
these charges are made. will not therefore, throw straw
IN the way OF this current of opinion will not fight this
question mmaeral and collateral issues OF this kind
wish the issue to up fairly and be presented if il
thought proper in language of the character OF these resou
ons and, for will not avoid it in any form in which
1t may choose to present itself.
Mr. PHELPS. believe the Senate will bear me witness
that, for the ten years have had seat on this floor have
entirely avoided the discussion of this troublesome subject
have ever met the question, however, and in in
dicang my attachment to the Union believe it should
ever be met in spirit of cancellations and shall never APP
proach the subject with any other feeling With respect
these resolutions have only say that the subject to which
they refer is which not only arresing the attention of
the people of this country, but of the world. 1t is subject
upon which any and every people at liberty express
rec opinion 1t great question Of morals and of poli
cal economy and hold it, therefore, be right that all
should be at liberty to express their sentiments in reference
it, And, as the great absorbing question of the day,
nected with politics. of every portion of this Con-
fedeacy at liberty to express its feelings the SUBJ
ect And may here remark that when the Legislature of
my State expressed her sentiments in these resolutions
was not their desire to express any Of the peculiar feelings
attributed to them by the Senator from Florida (Mr YuLEE
As before remarked for myself have studous avoided
all exciting and irritating discussions of this subject and have
ever deprecated their Iregre much that it is not
viewed all Sides North and South, cooy and dispasson
ae, for it is in this way and in this way only, that the sub
jec be wisely disposed Of. The irritating provoking
and offensive language in which it is often discussed does
mischief and mischief only disposed to not
matter OF mutual elimination and recrmina,on but
great question of policy which in the discharge of our
public duties here called upon and to determine
The question Of slavery in relation the territories and in the
District of Columbia, is fair be settled by us in our
discretion If we think the institution is calculated to
promote the prosperity of the territory it our duty to pre-
vent its extension there If think mischievous here in
this District it our duty to put hands upon it. These
are great questions OF policy to be settled by u.s. under
calmly, aud dispassionaey again repeat have avoided
and sudousy kept myself out Of the way of it, and for the
that the discussions have been permit me to saw not
in the best temper Now, what these resolutions They
the expression of the sentiments of the people my own
State and such they entitled no moe weight than
the expression of the opinion any other State Of the Union
We ask nothing than is accorded by the common prac
ce of the Senate to the expression of opinion on similar
subjects from other States But gentlemen will excuse me-
after what has been sa for adding that the sentiments ex
pressed there the sentiments of the civilized world on this
subject and instead of being made the object reProac
here they should be greeted the sentiment of the civilized
world and of the age in which live Do these resolutions
ask for interference in the domestic concerns of any of the
States Not at all They coll upon Congress to do its duty
where it has the power They propose not to NEEDLE with
the internal policy of State but they call upon u.s. where
possess the power to discharge duty called upon
to discharge by, believe, the universal sentiment of the
world with the exception of those portions If where this
institution exists.
After having said this much fee my 10 add that no
man more opposed to an ocious ntermetdng with the
affairs of sister States than myself would leave them
dispose of their institutions their own waY and would
not lit finger to disturb them ia their regulation of them
But when the question made whether this institution dis
approved the hand and approved the other shall
be coexenve in its existence with our possessions whether
it shall be extended the world over if our power shall ever
cover the world, shall follow the dictates Of my own udg
ment and conscience say where exists let be, but
where it does exist not do not let it CO.
Mr. BERRIEN. cannot acquiesce in the view taken of
this question by the Senator from South Carolina Mr. Bur-
LER and desire to suggest him. and through him the
Senate, the view which this subject is pres nted to nv
mind am disposed 10 adhere the usages the Senate
IN the respect which paid communications sovereign
States OF the Union addressed this body ut that is
The character OF the resolutions presented by tie Senator from
emons. do not oppose the printing of tIese resolutions
Oh the peculiar sentiments which entertained and
expressed by the Legislature of Vermont the unmeasured
language used IN their expression cal be tempted TO
enter into their discussion by the broad of the
Senator who has just taken his seatsomwhat indeed quail
led e ms concluding remakhat the opinion expressed by
opinion Of the civilized world and that we, therefore, among
whom this institution exists beyord that pale of cvza
ION which Is recognised by the Senator from Vermont
annot be tempted according do perfectly with the Sena-
or from South Carolina Mr. Bur En- to enter into the dis
usslon OF this question upon this collateral ISSUE And
ound my objection the printing of this paper upon the
ground that Is with which his Senate has nothing to
To- for it is not addressed the Senate of the United States
The Senator from Vermont discussed the question, whait the
legislature OF his State asked Congress to do Sir by this
esoluon they have asked nothing Of Congress These gen.
lemen have taken from Their pockets private Instructions
addressed to them Senators and 10 their associates in the
'her House, and laid them on our table They were not
called upon by the resolutions themselves to commune
ate them the Senate and therefore act of superero
ation which they not required perform. And
hall look into the private instructions of Vermont to her
Senators and publish them to the American people
For one, cannot consent to DO it. am not Influenced