The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-19

have undergone change since the last Congress
The old doctrine as have understood it, was, that
Congress ought to do nothing whatever with re-
spect 10 slavery in the Territories. Now, however,
we told that this action applies only to nat
ura and not TO legal restraints; and that II admits,
il il does not demand repeal ofprohibtory laws.
All il is said that is asked is that slavery may be
carried wherever soil and climate will permit-in
other words not required to change the laws
of Nature, but only those Of man. To my mind,
sir the distinction Is so shadowy between establish.
ing slavery and repeating law prohibiting 1t, that
! would as soon vote for the one as the other.
The gentleman from Maryland, too, MIR. Nc
LANE has given new Interpretation to "non-in-
PREVENTION. >" He is not an illiberal man, know
far from il; but he appeared TO me TO make rather
strong demand on his northern Democratic
friends. He called upon them to stand fast-to
hold to the faith. did not at first perceive the
necessity for so much urgency; but when he I'M
folded his plan, was no longer surprised at the
earnestness of his entreaiies. He proposes to carry
out the principle Of nonintervention by giving New
Mesloonot the disputed territory merely ou. the
teman, sis an unpleasant controversy between the
North and South about this territory; let us COM
promise it, Let US give the land to mutual friend
Texas" suppose we might rely upon Texas to
take it; for she is sort of universal proprietor like
the Marquis of Carabas.
few words on another topic. There are south
ern gentlemen, bold navigators, who, passing the
narrow of non-intervention, have fairly
reached the Ultima Thule OF sectional ultraism
Disdaining the further exercise of ingenuity to
twist the old Constitution to their purposes they de-
mand new one. Such have been the "aggres-
sons of the NORTH that they must have guar
antees. There period, told, when
the slaveholdng and non saveholding States, be-
ing equal in population, were equal in power but
the aggressive conduct of the North, in increasing
more rapidly, has disturbed the equilibrium and
" the equilibrium must be restored" What
does this mean! IL means, simply, that the popu
lar representative character of our government
must he changed, and that slavery must be intro
duced into ii element Of power and balance
To superiority of numbers. 1t does not appear to
me TO be necessary 10 do more than to state the de-
mand.
The equilibrium must be restored :" can UNI
derstand the feeling that prompts the demand,
without being able to assent TO It's reasonableness.
Let US test il by an example, Suppose should go
to wealthy and prosperous gentleman, and say to
him, 'Sir, my grandfather, great grandfather -
the case might be, :" had good a property as
yours; but am now poor and you are rich; and
what is more, find that am daily growing poor
er and you richer. Sir, demand that you restore
the equilibrium" This desire to restore the eaui-
librium is a strong passion among men. Modern
laws severely restrain its excuses. But Macaulay
tells us that one hundred and fifty or two hundred
years ago, il was not considered disgraceful for
reduced gentleman to take ride on Hounslow
Heath to restore the equilibrium.
Extrayagant as this demand is, and though there
may be few who make it directly, and in the form
Of amendment to the Constitution, yet fear
that the principle which lies at the bottom of it,
at least one Of the branches Of the Government be-
ttceen the slarehOtding and saUeoiding States has
governed and continues to govern many. They
strive and hope to gain their object by expedients
suited to the emergency; little annexation at one
time; Mexican Spanish war at another; the
division of State at third. This is the feature in
this business that more than any thing else alarms
me with respect to the future.
When occasion occurs for the accomplishment
OF such purpose, there those who do not hesi-
tate TO resort to the most dangerous agitation.
The South must be aroused, the South must be
united aroused to believe those who would be their
brethren their enemies; united at 'sall hazards
and for ''the last extremites'' What the present
may fail TO afford for complaint is made up by re-
ctal OF the past There is no statute of limitations;
recognition here of Jefferson's principle, that
generation is not liable for the debts of another;
the sins OF the fathers visited upon the heads of
the children; and you will visit upon us as
witness the first article in the catalogue of offences
the ordinance of SD the sins that your own fathers
committed.
The aggressions of the North! This is the cry
with which our ears daily ring. The invasion by
the North Of the constitutional rights of the South
This is the alleged foundation for the demand by
some Of new guarantees; by others, of the express
abandonment Of the power of Congress over slavery
IN the Territories or OF dsunion as the alternative
Of refusal.
have endeavored to consider this question of ag-
erosion calmly and justly. In looking at contro-
versies spreading over thirty yearsif, indeed, we
may not carry their origin much further back
will not say Of the North what the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, (Mr. Ross,) has Just said of the
South, but which Is true, | suppose, of other
similar case in history, that she Is wholly without
blame; but will say, that the result of my exami-
nation has been sentiment of surprise at the rivo-
lousness of the complaints. II was my intention 10
consider, with some particularly, the alleged ag-
gressions Of the North; but the clock gives me
warning that shall only have time to touch upon
single topic.
The principal cause, believe of complaint, arises
from the alleged breach Of our constitutional obli
tO he MFR of A.
slaves. Ofour duty in this respect, mean to speak
IN such manner that It may not be possible TO mis-
understand me here or elsewhere. We have prom
Used 10 deliver fugitive slaves to their masters This
is portion of the fundamental law of our Govern
ment. IL is not a pleasant task might use
stronger language IL the Union were TO be formed
anew, might absolutely refuse to assume 1t. But
tits plainly written II is part and parcel of the
compact; and we have sworn TO perform it.
Under such circumstances, what lie an honest man
to dor There are two things man may honestly
do The first is, 10 stand by the Constitution the
other is, 10 renounce ito renounce il in toto sur
rendering its benefits at the time that he re-
jects its burdens II believed with Garrison that
the Constitution a compact with HE'LL,
avowed one. But Garrison blends with his fanati-
csm sense of justice he is sophistical trick
ster; he holds, suppose, 70 the old maxim, "Give
the Devil his due" Certainly il has not entered
his mind that we may adhere to the compact where
il is for our advantage and repudate il where il is
disadyanageous take the benefit Of stipulat tons in
our FAVOR, ana decline 70 execute those that
favorable; receive the reward of iniquity and re-
fuse TO do the iniqutous service. To his mind, as
TO mine, the issue is, the Constitution Consti-
tution-union or disunion. He chooses the latter
alternative; he IL consistent in his madness he is
respectable in his folly.
But there are those who teach that the contract
TO deliver fugitive slaves IL contrary TO the law OF
Cod and therefore null and void; and that in swear.
ing 10 support the Constitution this clause may be
considered as stricken out This theory believe,
had its origin in Abolition convention, held at
Buffalo. shall not attempt its refutation for do
not think IT worthy OF very serious respectful
notice. II does not seem 10 me respectable. To
my vision, dishonesty Is stamped upon its face. Ia
Of Pasca's provincial letters, the question is
raised, whether one may honestly retain the price
Of MURDER The Jesuit answers the question with
distinction 'lf," says he, "the party have fairly
killed his man he may do 50, but otherwise not"
agree with the Jesuit upon the latter point II the
bargain be sinful, il il business refund the con.
sideration money. II we make contract, swear to
perform it, and receive and retain the stipulated
price of our engagement, cannot purge our
selves OF wickedness by a violation Of faith. The