Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-26

governed than The latter know Tor Themselves. Suaus
Emperors, Kings, Parliaments, and Congresses, all
equally entertain this opinion OF their own paernaI au-
thory and are satisfied that they oughto possess and
exercise it. Now, sir, do not believe in this doctrine
at ALL II docs not belong to my age Of progress
State or Territory it the people who ought govern
so far as is consistent with their mutual relations the
United States.
1t is that part of my Nicholson letter relating to the
Territories which understand is the object OF animal
verslon-l may say, indeed OF censure How different
opinions could exist respecting the meaning OF that
pant of my letter. cannot conjecture. These are the
words: | quote them here, though not quoted in my
speech:
eff (the interference of Congress) should be limited
to the creation of proper governments for countries
acquired settled and to the necessary provision for
their eventual admission into the Union leaving in
the time to the people inhabitng them TO regulate
their internal concerns in their own way"
But sir independent OF this obvious view, may safe
y appeal to many southern gentlemen who here
when that letter was written and who are here now to
say whether they do not know that this was my mean
ing at the time? There are some OF them within my
eye at this moment.
Here Mr.. Butler, Of South Carolina, and Mr. Davis
of Mississippi, and others, sgnilied their assent
might have added in my Speech what | will take
the liberty of adding here, that the proudest and most
grateful testimonial have ever received has recently
reached me from the democratic members of the egis-
ature of Tennessee. shall treasure the recollection oil
it through lie In that letter | am told as follows:
our late speech in the Senate OF the United States
on the Wllmot provso Is most triumphant vndica-
Congress has power under the constitution to egs-
late upon or to NEEDLE with the subject of slavery
either in the States or Territories and is complete
defence OF the rights OF the holding States and OF
people OF all the States and Territories to form and re-
gulate their own social and municipal institutions"
want no better endorsement than this OF the correct
ness OF my views and Of the consistency with which
have maintained them. 1t is aiul compensation tor all
the attacks have experienced here or elsewhere]
The senator from Alabama Mr.. Clemensl will allow
me to say that both he and the southern representation
here and upon the other floor have easy task before
them They all live in an excited community They
naturally parake OF its feelings And do not say that
it is an excitement without cause. There is too much
for it, though that would Justify disnion and
none that disunion would make better. The provision
in the constitution respecting the recapure of slaves has
been too often and grossly violated and neglected -
Every dictate OF justice requires law efficient on
that subject, and more efficiently executed. Such law
with proper provisions, shall not want my vote. And
this Wmot Proviso, unnecessary and unconstitutional
it is, has justly given great offence TO the South
trust and believe its days are numbered But allow me
TO say sir when southern gentlemen attribute the inter-
ference OF the North with the subject of slavery any
serious calculation about the balance of political power
or OF material interests, they are in great error 1t ORR
ginates in other feelings The spirit of inquiry is one
OF the marked characteristics of the age in
which we live 1t penet1ates every where
There is nothing concealed from its research
Even the highest and hottest things are assa-
ed. Whythe rights OF property in the South are at
tackled And SO they are IN the North. There
and there who contend with equal pertinacity
that no should hold land but that all things should
be in common The marriage condition is assailed !;
the domestic relations assaed the being and antri-
butes OF God assailed and strenuous efforts ma
king to overturn the whole constitution of society,"
Error OF opinion, said Mr. Jefferson may be tolerated
where reason is left free to combat Memorable
words and true they are Sc If the schoolmaster
is abroad he takes with him great many unsound opn-
ions, which however only become dangerous by be-
ing met by resistance instead Of argument have said
sir that the Southern gentlemen have easy task be
fore them They feel their wrongs and express their
feengn measured terms and they supported and
applauded by constituency which feels as they do
But moderate men in the North and West are placed
in very different circumstances. They are endeavoring
to check the excitement. They throwing themselves
into the breach And Yet their condition is not at all
appreciated here they spared in the general de-
nuncations that are used We hear this every day. sir,
honorable senator from Virginia, Mr. Mason,i whom
this whole Senate holds in the highest respect and de-
servedy So upon the introduction OF bill providing
more efficient mode of recapuring fugitive Slaves said,
and repeated, believe, many times, that would do
good; that he knew it would do good. What he
said thought might be translated into this You are all
set OF knaves at the North and West, and, egSlae as
may, the law will be dsregarded and the slaves re-
tanned. This was not his language and | am sure it
was not his idea, and it is perhaps extreme conclu-
sion from what he said, but there still too much toun
dation for complaint at such ntimaons. They do no
good.
Mr. Mason, (inerposing) In the senator's remarks
upon the language which fell from me- upon the presen-
tation OF this bill Il must say that he does great in
justice My declaration was, that law could be exc
cuted unless addressed to the loyalty of the peo
pie, by whom it to be executed; that they were dis
loyal through their State Legislatures that provision
OF the constitution. Certainly nothing further from
me than ntimatng the idea that they parcel of
knayes in the North. But they were disloyal to that
provision in The constitution Their legislation shows
it,, and because OF that disloyaty, afraid that no
such law could be executed there
Mr. CASS resumed | said that INV wards
strong. Still sir [ will add that these continued re-
proaches denuncatons may say, will necessarily pro-
woke recriminaon, and may go far towards convert
ing Just cause into an UNJUST one Why, sir is only
day or two since one OF the most accomplished menu
bers OF this body told u.s. in substance that if dissolu-
ton OF the Union should take place. the Northern por
ton containing twelve millions OF people OF the Anglo
Saxon race, and embracing regions among the most
fertile on the face OF the GLOBE would be utterly des-
troyed; that their cities would become like Tadmor
their hills like Giboa, their fields like the Campagna
and themselves without prosperity, without hope the
grass would grow in their high places; and that they
would become like modern Tyre, while the southern
cities would become like ancient Tyre the entepots of
the commerce OF the world All this CRATES harshv
upon my ear. DO not want any man to tell lie what
this Union would lose North South by dissolution
1t is enough for me to know that if not fatal to both
would check the prosperity of boh and lead to con-
sequences, which no wise man contemplate with
out dismay | am an American, with the most kindly
feelings to every portion OF our beloved country It's
strength is in its union: Its prosperity in its union: its
hopes In ITS UNION DO not want any one to come here
to tell me the evils the North would suffer from disco
ton. need no lesson upon that subject Il any one
explain to me what advantage either section would
gain by separation, might survey such prospect
with less apprehension than now do.
Southern gentlemen will allow me to say and
know they will appreciate the feelings with which saw
it, for have given proof OF my desire to do them JUS
tce by the sacrce OF my political position, that they
place the defence OF slavery upon considerations which
do not suit the spirit OF the age There no use in 90
ing back to the days OF the Patrarchs and tracing the