The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-12

reluctant 10 disturb the public mind now almos
restored 10 its wonted serenity fear that shall be com
eed though very reluctantly confess, to vote agan
The whole bill Al the same lime, while thus frankly
express myself feel bound in addition say and Il
saving il wish observe all the rules OF parliamentary
decorn that this proposition is one OF nature tending
10 \ dissolution of the Union. No OF sense can
deny thai tbe attempt 10 abolish slavery in the District AZ
Columbia If successful, would produce that effect All
therefore. 10 the senator from OHIO lMr
CnAssl great sagacliy-a quality aor ~hsa ns T. quite
thorough maturity OF judgment upon inc whole subject
of domestic slavery in the South-undersandlng Well
his relative position IN regard to the various parties Of
the country fmust say that, whether he intends not,
recognise this proposition one tending to dissolve The
Union,
Mr. BERRIEN here corrected the senator. informing
him that il not the senator from ONO but the sena.
tor from New York Mr. SGwARDl who had offered the
Mr.. FoOTE. beg pardon | thought it was prop
oson of the senator from Ohio, being out OF my seat
when il was introduced He seems, however, TO concur
in il so fully that am not sure but is, after ALL The re-
suit of concert between himself and the senator from
New York But beg leave To say that ! am con-
frmed in the mpressio already saied-conhrmed from
various circumstances 10 which | will not now advert
that this movement whether intended not by the SEN
ator who introduced il, in all the mschieyous conse.
quences which il menaces WILL If concurrei in by this
body put the country in most serious peril And allow
me 10 say, furthermore. that should have elt myself
exceedingly criminal n had not denounced THIS propo
sition as one which. under existing circumstances il
most reprehensble oneone which cannot be attended
with any good effects but which, i persisted in, may be
productive Of much evil thank God, though, that there
is no possibility OF the success OF such a proposition
now or hereafter Faction is at last driven TO the wall
Fanaticism is detached from the politics oil the country,
as believe, permanently The enemies OF the Union,
wherever inund ovethrown, and the republican in.
situations established by our foreathers, alter hard
struggle, are most gorously triumphant over all enemies
whether open or concealed.
Such sir is the honest declaration OF my views npon
this painful and delicate subject Feeling adherence
difficult be expressed for the proposition introduced
der circumstances SO inopportune IT was Impossible for
me 10 refrain from utering the sentiments 10 which
have given expression in language intended to be both
plain and emphatic. | conclude by stating again The
painful regret which feel at being compelled by what
has now taken place TO announce the probability which
exists OF my ultimately voting against this BILL If suitable
amendments cannot be secured-conceved as acknow-
edge was, spirit Of high toned patriotism and OF even.
handed justice towards both sections Of the conedeaey
and sustained, acknowledge il is, by men incapable
Of any motives but such as are OF most praseworhy
Mr.. WINTHROP. Mr.. President. il shall vote
against the amendment which has been proposed BY
the honorable senator from New York Mr.. SEWARD
will not be because regard as aproposfion 70 dissolve
this Union do not know what nigh, be the effect Of
that amendment, If it adopted But it really
that the idea that the liberation OF two thousand
at most twenty five hundred slaves
Mr.. BALDWIN. Not twenty five hundred. There
are only six hundred slaves here.
Mr.. WINTHROP. think The senator must be mista.
ken but if j, be so, then say with all the
phasis that the idea that the Liberation OF six hundred
slaves piece reduced ABOUT
six miles square, is about to dissolve this Union, alto
gelher surpasses my belief. | am not quite creduous
Mr. FOoTE Will the honorable senator bear with
me to allow me 10 explain on one point!
MI WINTHROP. Certainly.
Mr. FOOTE. Mr.. President. it is not the number Of
the slaves it is not the immediate consequences: is
the hdeous violation OF the political compact Of our
fathers II is the pncple-the most objectionable IN
justice towards the South-whch must infame the pub
lie mind and must inevitably awaken apprehension that
hat and
sive MEASURES which Afterwards 10 follow That
my view OF the matter
Mr.. WINTHROP. believe understood the honor
able member iron Mississippi before. The facts Of the
case certainly | stated them. His suggestion
was, thai the passage OF bill TO emancpae six
hundred negroes this little patch OF territory which
was about to be the entering wedge which 10 rive
this vast Union asunder. SIR. II must indeed be The
operation OF awful and mysterious principle. and
not the operation O the act ITSELF which is about 10
duce this tremendous result.
And thai leads TO say, in the second place. that
should vote against this amendment, will not be on The
abolish slavery in this District upon the ground that
arm not willing 10 exercise that power on the proper o
caslon and in proper manner That understand to be
the principle which is about to dissolve the Union The
and exercise OF this power so hideous vio
aiion OF the political compact, and objectionable an
injustice towards the South, that the dissolution Of the
Union is inevitable Sir. | hold to no such doctrine
and desire, If by chance my name should be recorded
against this amendment. TO protest in advance against
being understood TO acquesce in any such idea No one
can 20 further than myself IN denyn the power oil Con.
gress 10 Interfere with slavery IN the States but within
the limits OF this District maintain that its authority
complete over slavery and everything else And
happen TO have before me some little memoranda oil the
opinions OF fathers and Of predecessors upon this
subject, which will serve, think TO Justify this opinion
better than any argument OF my own. brought then
into the Senate some days ago, with expectation o.
being called upon 10 use them in this connexion al
and certainly with not the slightest idea That the senator
from New York was about TO do let me say, 80 IN.
advised and so unreasonable thing as 10 offer such
amendment TO the bill now before US.
Sir, IN the Virginia convention, which ratified the led
era constitution, what said George Mason, the father Of
the constitution OF his own State, believe Ia refer
ring 10 the clause giving Congress the power 10 exercise
exclusive legislation over the District Of Columbia DC
said;
rhs clause gives an unlimited authority In every pos
siblc within the District. He would Willingly give
the exclusive power as far a respected the police M
good Of the place. but he would given them no
inore.s
What said Patrick Henry He spoke OF IL as can IN
limited and unbounded authority
What said Mr. Madison in the "Federalistl"
sThe Indispensable necessity OF complete authority at
the government carries its evidence with in
Here are the opinions OF three OF the fathers OF the
repubc-of three OF the most celebrated in The
old Commonwealth Of Virginia.
Well, what proposed not long afterwards in ihs
Congress OF the United States Here record from
the journal OF the House OF Representatives of January
Is, 1905, proving the opinions that held by large
number OF the representatives of the people at that time
The resolution then presented was not adopted, bat we
shall presently how large vote il received, and
on what grounds Il was rejected
"on motion made and seconded that the House do
10 the following resolution
'Rsotusd, That from and after the 4th day Of jay,
1900 all blacks and people Of color that shall be born VIM